Steve Jobs on iPhone 4 Signal Issue: 'There are no reception issues'

I'm 90% sure it's coincidence, but the fact that Apple decided to release their first iPhone bumper/case, and in iOS4 removed the field test mode that showed numeric signal strength, does make me wonder.<p>It's going to be interesting to see how this all turns out, but I'm disappointed in many of the news sites who are now badging it as an issue with displayed strength. I have an iPhone 4, live in an area with good signal strength, and "bridging the gap" with my finger absolutely does decrease voice quality and decimate data throughput.

I find it extremely uncomfortable to partake in these discussions (outside HN, of course). The Macrumors poll effectively claims over 50% of the units are defective. It seems not that many people have a problem with this kind of reasoning. I've also noticed Godwin's law in effect faster than usual.<p>What I do find interesting, however, is the need to utterly bash a product you will never buy, and never intended to, possibly because you believe your own brand of choice to benefit from that sort of commentary.

Maybe there are iPhones that don't have an issue but the following movie leaves little doubt: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PQyWp0mWE" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PQyWp0mWE</a>

I've had and heavily used the phone since launch. I frequently hold it with my left hand both for calls and for things like Foursquare checkins. I do not use a case or tape.<p>I've yet to have the issue come up in a real world scenario. It's certainly not a problem for calling unless you hold your phone like a coconut shell to your head. It's more of a threat when you're using your thumb on the phone while holding it in your left hand. Perhaps my wife, friends, and family all have curiously shaped hands that find the required grip renders actual use of the uncomfortable.<p>Of course, in every other way the iPhone 4 seems to be an incredible smartphone; I suppose even if there is a problem requiring conscious thought for some people, it's on balance with the kinds of problems other handsets have. I mean, the battery life alone is something to drive upgrades: <a href="http://bit.ly/aeKf0n" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/aeKf0n</a> And the iPhone's past reception issues has been <i>dramatically improved</i>. I'm one of those unfortunates who has a home "sort of" covered by AT&#38;T, and the difference between the iPhone 4's dropped/missed calls and the 3GS's dropped/missed calls is very noticeable.

On my 3gs in central SF, the 'bars' indicator is already almost useless... it can show 4 or 5 bars, and I'm still unable to initiate calls, receive calls, or hold a clear call. It's so untrustworthy that in my more paranoid moments I wonder if some prior software update included a 'inflate the bar count' change.<p>This talk of fixing iPhone4 issues with an OS update makes me wonder the same thing. Maybe they'll just smooth/inflate the bars display.

I'm finding the external antenna's advantage may out-weigh its drawbacks.<p>Hands mess with cell phone reception. Every phone has an optimal way to be held so as to minimize this effect.<p>The difference with the iPhone 4 is that the optimal holding method is clear. If my signal is fine then I can cup the phone as normal but if I'm in a low signal situation I can give my phone the death grip to avoid touching the steel.

"Stay <i>Tuned</i>" — Hah!

I don’t want to get my hopes up, but:<p><i>One report[1] even claimed an iOS update as early as Monday might be able to relieve the issue due to a lag in the iPhone 4's ability to switch between frequencies causing the loss in signal.</i><p>(Even as most reports seem to indicate a complete disruption of service, rather than a simple “lag”.)<p>[1] <a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/25/death_grip_hysteria_may_end_monday_with_ios_4_01.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/25/death_grip_hys...</a> (To be a taken with a grain of salt, as should anything at AppleInsider that is uncorroborated.)

Isn't there an app for that?<p>As in... has no-one created an app showing a real-time scrolling graph of reception level and an accurate (or as accurate as possible) number of the current reception level... perhaps with an overlay of the number of visible towers and strength?<p>Because if they did, then not only could it be proved by the layman but if the problem existed then the layman can visually see the effect and visually gain feedback on their techniques to find a better way to hold the phone.<p>If this doesn't exist, it sounds like a great cash-in app for right now. I'll take 2.5% of revenue for the idea.

The fact that he says "stay tuned" makes me think that Apple will be releasing a grand solution soon.

These aren't the droids you're looking for...<p>(pun not intended, but it's apropos)

Mine works fine. I don't know. People will look for problems in anything. I liked it better when we were complaining about actual problems, like Apple telling programmers what language they're allowed to 'originally write' in when developing for their platform.