Dear Apple
I have been a long time PC user. Used to (and still do) love any Nokia phone. My phone history dates back to the Nokia 3110, N-gage, N-gage QD, N70 and N82. I always used to think that apple products are “cool” and that they just work. I was contemplating migrating to the mac for my day to day computing but the overinflated product prices always kept me at bay. I’m now an owner of Alienware M15x (a bit pricey but well worth it). My att contract expired in November and I was contemplating switching to Verizon. People kept telling me to wait for the new iPhone. I did…
iPhone4 Reception issue
Fast forward to June 2010. I thought I’d buy the iPhone4 after seeing “the best iPhone ever” with the “most wonderful engineering ever”. The pre-order process was a pretty huge clusterf*#k. I finally got through the system the next day. I get the phone about 3 weeks later. In the meanwhile, reports surface that your device is really not that revolutionary. Your engineers did not anticipate the antenna reception issues. After a lot of media reports, you acknowledge that the problem is real but have the audacity to tell users “Don’t hold it that way”. The next thing we know apply would also tell us how to procreate correctly.
Then you say that your engineers miscalculated the formula to display signal strength (blame it on att’s signals). FYI, I’ve had my nokia phones (N70 and N82) for the last 2 years in the same reception area and always had full bars. By your definition, even nokia (and I’m pretty sure) other cell phone manufacturers also had it wrong because they should not be showing full bars. Right! Bulls*@%t. Consumer reports has confirmed that there is a design flaw. Own up to it already.
I received my iPhone in the mail yesterday. I too have the reception issue (regardless of whether I hold it in my left hand or right hand). I’m disappointed in apple. You just lost a customer. I’ll probably not return my iPhone because I find the medical applications handy for my day to day work but I’m not buying any more apple products. My request to you, own up to your mistakes. You make a lot of money, this is just a small bump in your long term finances. If you don’t this might just turn up into a big PR fiasco
yours sincerely
(never to become an apple customer again)
July 14th, 2010 at 8:42 am
ummm… reception bars dropping != calls dropped + consumer reports also reported it has better call quality at lower bars than older iPhones and other phones + consumer reports called it still the best smartphone in the market today + ALL this happening to a minority + you talk like this is a big issue (the bigger issue i think is the proximity sensor, again for some minority) + you ignore the million other things that iphone is excellent for + engadget/gizmodo report of how very few of the 2 million PEOPLE WHO OWNED IT are actually complaining.
Judging by your PC and Zune love, I am not surprised you have written such a biased view here. This is my first iPhone too. I have been a loyal samsung/Droid fan. The phone is stellar in so many respects and these issues are minor, if any.
Agree with the Apple handling this though.
Phew! Rant over.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Agreed that I love the Zune software but I think the Zune hardware brand is dead
. Anyway, yes, the iPhone4 is really good in many aspects but the way apple is handling this issues is not the best. I’m glad you agreed with me on that aspect.