Cupertino, Calif. – Apple (NASD: AAPL) has scheduled a press conference
for Friday that will focus on its new iPhone 4, which has seen strong sales
since its release three weeks ago despite reception issues with its antenna. Apple
has already acknowledged that holding the iPhone 4 in a certain way — covering
the lower left end of the device — can impede its reception, but was quick to
point the real blame on an incorrect formula it was using to calculate how many
reception bars appear on the device. Earlier this week, Consumer Reports said
after testing it could not recommend the iPhone 4 due to what it called a
hardware flaw with the antenna.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Apple senior
engineer and antenna expert Ruben Caballero last year informed CEO Steve Jobs
that the device’s design may cause reception issues — concerns also reportedly
raised by an unidentified carrier partner.
Apple declined to comment on the
story for Bloomberg, or to make Caballero available for interview.
On Thursday,
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) published an open letter to Apple, saying
"a fix for the ‘death grip’ problem should be provided free of charge to
customers."
Some observers have cast doubt on the idea that Apple would
outright recall the iPhone 4; more seem to think the company may opt to offer
free bumper cases (normally $29) that address the reception issue.
Apple did not provide any other details on the Friday press conference, other than to say it will focus on the iPhone 4.
Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/357b2jj
(AP)
http://schumer.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=326405&
http://tinyurl.com/2du2766
(Bloomberg)
“Steve Jobs?”… “Hello?”… “Can you hear me now?”
The entire iPhone 4 dropped call conundrum continues to give Apple a very bumpy PR ride. As the article indicates, this issue is not something new to Apple. Apparently, Apple is going to hold a press conference tomorrow. It will be interesting to see what is said – and what is not said!
We think “bumpers” combined with the Endtone app would be a significant win for Apple – and the many disgruntled iPhone 4 users.
Although we are all familiar with bumpers, many may not be familiar with the Endtone app.
Modeled after popular and ubiquitous ringtones, Endtones are seen and heard when wireless users hang up or are accidentally dropped from wireless networks. The Endtone app is a dropped call remedy which can dramatically improve iPhone user experiences. iPhone users will never need to ask “Can you hear me now?” again.
“Steve Jobs?”… “Hello?”… “Can you hear me now?”