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Lefties told hands off the new iPhone 4
Since
last month's launch of the new Apple iPhone 4, users
gripping the phone in their left hand have noticed
the signal strength and reception falling away. Now
Apple promises to release a fix. |
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Apple is to release an urgent update in the coming weeks to
fix a problem with its new iPhone 4. Users have complained
that holding the device in a certain way – particularly with
the left hand – can cause a dramatic reduction in signal
strength, leading to failed calls in some cases.
However, whilst it is now understood how the problem can be
triggered, the exact cause of the fault remains unclear. The
iPhone 4 has been engineered in a stainless steel case, with
one side capturing the Wi-Fi signal and the other side
acting as an aerial for the mobile phone. The loss of signal
seems to occur when the gap between these two sections of
the casing is bridged by the user’s hand. Due to the
position of the gap, near to the bottom left-hand corner of
the phone, the problem appears to particularly affect
left-handed users.
Simple and
surprising problem |
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Following an investigation into user feedback, Apple
claimed it had solved the mystery, calling the cause
of the dramatic drop in signal bars “both simple and
surprising”. The corporation pointed out that many
mobile phone devices are prone to a drop in signal
strength when held in a certain position and that
this, in itself, was no cause for concern. Instead,
Apple maintains that the problem is due to an
exaggeration of the correct signal strength by the
iPhone 4, which means it often displays more bars
than it should. |
"We were stunned to find that the formula we use to
calculate how many bars of signal strength to
display is totally wrong."
Statement from Apple,
July 2010 |
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In a
statement, Apple commented: “We were stunned to find that
the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal
strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many
instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should
for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes
display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2
bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip
their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area
with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it
because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big
drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in
the first place.”
Bumper solution
As users
awaited the free software update promised by Apple, two
possible solutions were suggested to avoid further
confusion. The first came directly from Steve Jobs, although
his advice may prove somewhat unpopular with left-handed
users. The Apple boss was reported to have commented “Just
avoid holding it in that way”.
Secondly, customers were reminded that a rubber ‘bumper’,
designed to protect the device, would also shield the
sensitive area on the phone's casing. These bumpers are
available on sale from Apple and from many other online
suppliers.
Apple also pointed out that if any user was not fully
satisfied, it was possible to return an undamaged iPhone to
any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30
days of purchase for a full refund.
Click to read
the full statement by Apple.
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Delta Comtech Ltd
Artillery House, Heapy Street
Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 7JB |
Tel:
0844 412 8102
info@delta-comtech.co.uk |
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