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Topic: Apple

Apple blinks, Android diversifies

Summary: Under mounting criticism for antenna issues on its iPhone 4 flagship, Apple is holding a press conference to discuss the problem and possible solutions on Friday. Meanwhile, new Android models continue to chip away at the iPhone's market share.

Ed Burnette

By for Dev Connection |

After a few false starts, Apple appears finally ready to admit there is a problem with the iPhone 4 antenna and do something about it. The company will host a press conference on Friday to discuss the issue. There has been speculation of a recall, but I expect they'll downplay the problem and announce free bumper cases to anyone who needs them.

Updated: Yep, that's what happened.

The video from Consumer Reports was the final straw. Not only did CR refuse to recommend the iPhone 4 until Apple fixed the "death grip" reception flaw, they humorously suggested a fix of their own: duct tape.

"By using non-conductive tape, like duct tape," reported CR's Mike Gikas Monday, "and covering the gap on the side of the iPhone, we were able to reduce the reception problems. However, it does spoil the look, don't you think?" In an update posted Thursday, CR has verified that the Apple bumper case alleviates the signal-loss problem in a somewhat more aesthetically pleasing fashion.

Meanwhile, cell phone makers continue to churn out new Android devices at a breakneck pace. Two go on sale today alone: the Verizon Droid X by Motorola, and the T-Mobile Vibrant by Samsung.

The wide variety of Android phones emphasizes the main difference between iOS and Android: Android is available from multiple vendors. If you don't like the limitations of one phone, choose another. That's one disadvantage Apple can't tape over.

Image credit: ConsumerReports.org

Topics: Apple, Android, Google

About

Ed Burnette is a software industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience as a programmer, author, and speaker. He has written numerous technical articles and books, most recently "Hello, Android: Introducing Google's Mobile Development Platform" from the Pragmatic Programmers.

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8 comments
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  • Have you tried a piece of wire?

    A friend told me that if you solder a small piece of wire to the antenna then you can hold your iPhone any way you like and no calls are dropped.

    He swears by it saying that it works a little better than duct tape but just to be safe he uses the two.
    OS Reload
    Reply Vote

    • Something smells fishy here...

      @OS Reload
      There's two reasons why you probably would NOT want to try that...

      1.) The CR report mentions duct tape - or other NON-CONDUCTIVE tape to cover the gap. Wire IS conductive - meaning it'd have the exact opposite effect. Probably would permanently short out the antenna...

      2.) Soldering a piece of wire onto the case - wouldn't that like seriously void your warranty in the process? I can just see the look of horror on an Apple Genius's face when he sees what you've done to one of their precious works of art... Who knows... He/She might insist on getting the rest of the staff together to flog you with their ear buds for such a desecration.
      Wolfie2K3
      Reply Vote

  • Magnets

    The best solution is to suspend the phone in mid-air using opposed cobalt magnets.
    trickytom2
    Reply Vote

    • Uh... Yeah... Magnets... Right..

      @trickytom2
      Um.. I sure hope you're being sarcastic... Especially since magnets strong enough to hold the phone up in the air would no doubt play havoc with the signal in other ways. Not to mention would be fairly huge and not really very portable.
      Wolfie2K3
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple blinks, Android diversifies

    If Android makers like Moto can't take advantage of this flub, then what chance do they have?
    dave95.
    Reply Vote

    • Not a game changer

      @dave95.

      I do not believe that this problem is a game changer for the iPhone. What I do believe is that we may see a replay of the Mac vs PC battle of a couple of decades ago. Apple may ultimately be making the exact same mistake it made back then. The open nature of Android and the resulting onslaught from HW manufacturers supporting this platform may ultimately doom Apple to become a niche player, again. Time will tell.
      Economister
      Reply Vote

      • PC market vs Phone market

        @Economister <br><br>I do don't believe this will turn out the same, the phone or consumer electronics market is not the same as the PC market. Remember how Microsoft and PFS partners were going to take over the iPod market, because the iPod was "closed-off"? That never happened. Consumers are not bound to their phones and gadgets the same way they were bound to purchasing PCs (required purchase of Win PCs with required MS software to read work files). This is what helped MS win the desktop front and run away with the market share. As well as illegal strong-arming tactics.<br><br>Like they've done with the iPods, Apple will continue to offer an all-around better more seamless, polished and integrated solution with the iPhone. Consumers will continue to recognize the Apple/iPhone brand because of this as they've done with the Apple/iPod. So long as Apple continues to have the 'must have' gen consumer device, the great marketing and the strong easily recognizable brand, they have nothing to worry about.<br><br>Sometime in 2011, I expect them to open the iPhone up to other carriers in the US. If Android doesn't gain significant market share over the iPhone before then, it may be too late.
        dave95.
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple blinks, Android diversifies

    What a surprise... Droid X launches and Apple 'announces' a press conference to try to steal headlines.

    Typical.
    Droid101
    Reply Vote
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