Jonathan Ive on the design of the iPhone 4

I really liked the original iPhone for how solid and a little heavy it felt, as though it's actually worth the $600 you paid for it. I'm glad to see that back with the iPhone 4; the 3G model just felt like a cheap toy.<p>Reminds me of that scene from Jurassic Park where the kids find the night vision goggles in the back of the truck:<p><pre><code> Gennaro: Hey, where'd you find that? Tim: In a box under my seat. Gennaro: Are they heavy? Tim: Yeah. Gennaro: Then they're expensive, put 'em back.</code></pre>

<i>When you see the breaks, the three little black reveals that interrupt the band, in photographs, you could be forgiven for assuming you're seeing three separate strips of metal with gaps in between; but in fact it's all one piece.</i><p>from the internal photos at ifixits iphone 4 teardown[1] this doesn't appear to actually be true... or am i crazy? ( i am fully prepare to be called crazy/blind :) )<p>[1] <a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-4-Teardown/3130/1" rel="nofollow">http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-4-Teardown/3130/1</a>

This article reminds me vividly why, at my Alma mater, EVERY engineer (even EEs and CEs) were REQUIRED to take a class in their freshmen or sophomore year called "Manufacturing Process &#38; Materials Design".<p>It was basically a fancy academic term for "shop class".<p>We made gears, arc welded (still have a scar from that), cut screw threads, riveted sheet metal, worked milling machines &#38; saws, turned fixtures on lathes, and glued/bagged/baked carbon fiber.<p>At a very visceral hands-on level were introduced to the materials, workflows, and structural fastening tech that makes up the shells and supporting frameworks of physical goods.<p>At the time, it was a royal pain in the ass (I'm not a natural kinesthetic learner) and I didn't "get it", but looking back it was an extremely valuable experience.<p>Aside from the welding scar on my left thumb, I think the biggest takeaway was gaining an appreciation for the EXTREME ROI gained in designing processes which have "loose" tolerances where it's acceptable and "tight" tollerances where it's required.

Anyone else read Johnny Ive quotes in a British accent, almost as if it's instinct?

Ive is right. My new iPhone is like a work of art. Like a piece of art in a museum, because I can't touch it either. The unit I have has so many problems, simply holding it makes it lose both 3G and wifi signal. I'm exchanging mine or switching back to my 3GS

Zzz... device porn. Nothing new to see here, move along.