Jobs on iPhone 4: “We’re not perfect”
Apple supremo Steve Jobs put himself on stage in a surprise press conference to explain the iPhone 4’s much-publicised reception issues.
He explained that the iPhone team had spent the 22 days since “Antennagate” feverishly searching for the root of the iPhone’s signal-dropping phenomenon, found when the innovative antenna is cupped by human hands.
Jobs went on to demonstrate how other handsets – running BlackBerry OS, Android and WinMo – were hobbled by similar drops in signal strength.
He also showed off Apple’s sci-fi testing rooms – anechoic chambers costing US$100 million to build, while dismissing the media furore by saying that Apple’s customer services have received complaints from only one in 200 customers and the return rate has been a third of that experienced following the 3GS launch.
But he also conceded that the iPhone 4 does drop more calls than its predecessor on the US AT&T network – although only by one per hundred. Not much to get too spooked about there then.
The Apple chief speculated that the reason behind iPhone 4’s increased call dropping was a shortage of cases for the new phone; the 3GS had an existing supply of new cases on account of having the same form as the 3G edition. The company’s stats suggest that only 20 per cent of iPhone 4 customers leave the shop with a bumper, compared to an 80 per cent case adoption rate for the fourth-gen handset.
But he also stressed that he wanted every iPhone user to be happy. To that end, Apple will dole out a free case with every iPhone 4 and refund customers who’ve already parted with cash for one. And, of course, if they’re still unhappy, the company will happily take a return for a full refund within 30 days.
Customers will be able to apply for a case on Apple’s website later in the week, and Jobs has promised that there will be ongoing firmware fixes for other glitches found in the iPhone portfolio.
The launch of the white iPhone 4 was also announced.
Looking back on this story, it seems Stuff editor Will Findlater hit the nail on the head in his blog on the subject. Case closed.
Comments
paul.e
2 years ago
will they sort the problem or just let it continue with the promise of a free case
JetBrink
2 years ago
So first the problem was the person and how they hold it. Then the problem was the software. Now it's the lack of people making cases that are to blame. Lol I love my iPhone but the Apple Bigwigs are taking the mick!
The_Corporal
2 years ago
Respect to the guy in the audience who asked Steve how to hold his blackbeery bold to make it drop signal bars, cos he couldn't make it happen!
Drunken Max
2 years ago
So you get a free case until 30th September. Is there a new and improved iPhlop coming out in October that doesn't have the same problem or are they actually carrying on making the faulty device?
gavinthain
2 years ago
redesigned iphone 4 launching on 1st october
Jah
2 years ago
1. All Smartphones we selected have signal problems 2. iPhone 4 returns are insignificant 3. Compliants from customers about dropped calls is insignificant BUT we've been working night & day to solve this problem. And if you use a rubber band around the iPhone dropped calls are reduced. But there is no problem with this phone. And we may continue to look at this problem, which we don't believe is a problem. I hope this is all clear fron the top tech company on the planet with 100s of emplyees with Phds.
lovewell
2 years ago
hmm, I read the news "Live from Apple's iPhone 4 press conference".--Better be good! I think they are single-hearted. Dude. I'm 99% sure there will be no recalls or h/w fixes. Like some dude called it, they'll say 1) 99% phones are okay 2) 1% suffer from that issue, which still makes us the best and greatest 3) we're giving you free/discounted bumpers so worship us forever While I love their products, of course I do hope Apple steps up on the iPhone 4 improving as soon. The iPhone 4 tempting features, HD Video Recording and lovely pictures you're surprised: http://ifunia.com/iphone-column/index.html
Hugh Jarse
2 years ago
Videos: death grip on EVO, Droid Incredible, Nexus One, Galaxy 1, G1, etc * Samsung I9000 Galaxy S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k * HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag * Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= * Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg * Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk * Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH...eature=related * Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIA_lMwqJA * Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA * Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v * Nexus One (after Google's update to correct): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54 * Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deCkjeHYT-g * Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M * "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up" (N1 Thread on On this Problem): http://www.google.com/support/forum/...9184c33e&hl=en
Fred Vicario
2 years ago
i love my iphone