Poll: iPhone 4 problems thread

[Raymond Lin]

Do you think this issue is related to the white version being delayed - and the now three-week delay for any more orders? As in, the white versions have generally been released after the black ones in the past (I believe) and the black ones have been made in huge amounts ready for release. Perhaps they were aware of the issues AFTER the first, large batch were made.

Just a thought.

I have that thinking too. They made a huge batch, cost them billions, can't exactly bin all that, so they made these plastic bumpers and put them in the keynote too to push them.

All the while they are fixing it for the next batch, Iphone 4.1

 

[TriedandTested]

Indeed. Interesting. Wasn't their reason behind the white's delay quite wishy-washy? Something to do with the manufacturing.

Hmm. I'm going to wait this one out - as much as I want one, I can't help but feel there's more to this.

If they'd given away the bumpers (which in itself is a VERY odd 'case' and seems to cover the SPECIFIC area that is having issues) then they would almost be admitting to the fault.

Edit: http://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/24...or-issue-alleviated-by-use-of-bumper-or-case/ (with video - just watching now)

 

[Nexus]

I have that thinking too. They made a huge batch, cost them billions, can't exactly bin all that, so they made these plastic bumpers and put them in the keynote too to push them.

All the while they are fixing it for the next batch, Iphone 4.1

Nah, that's nonsense.

If they were aware of it, they wouldn't have used the likes of bumpers as a way to get around it, they simply would have delayed the launch, especially with a company like Apple.

The bumpers are just an attempt by Apple to add some individuality to the iPhone and also the fact that the cover/bumper market for the iPhone is pretty big and they've never really got in there with their own product yet.

 

[RobH]

There does seem to be something suspicious going on here, how hard could the white version be to make? It's just a different colour after all.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Nah, that's nonsense.

If they were aware of it, they wouldn't have used the likes of bumpers as a way to get around it, they simply would have delayed the launch, especially with a company like Apple.

The bumpers are just an attempt by Apple to add some individuality the iPhone and also the fact that the cover/bumper market for the iPhone is pretty big and they've never really got in there with their own product yet.

You'd think?

I fail to see how they could not know about this, everyone did on their first day, they would have made the prototype months if not years ago. Ono macrumours forums some people are reporting that some apple engineers they have spoken to knew about the problems and suggest to them to use h bumpers.

 

[TriedandTested]

Nah, that's nonsense.

If they were aware of it, they wouldn't have used the likes of bumpers as a way to get around it, they simply would have delayed the launch, especially with a company like Apple.

The bumpers are just an attempt by Apple to add some individuality to the iPhone and also the fact that the cover/bumper market for the iPhone is pretty big and they've never really got in there with their own product yet.

I would say that's being a little naive

They would never have delayed the launch.

And the bumpers are reported to solve the issue. If that's true (see video above for one example) then, crikey, that's a pretty big coincidence.

 

[The_Abyss]

I have discovered a minor problem on mine. The new feature, to geotag your photos. Mine all show up, however the background Google map is not loading.

 

[Mattus]

Yeah. If Apple wants to keep its reputation for good customer service, it needs to be seen to be acting on this quickly. They need to get a statement out saying that they're investigating the issue, because it's not going to go away.

 

[2blue4u]

Sorted. This problem can only be replicated by lefthanders who have masturbated in the previous hour.

 

[SiriusB]

Glad I am not left-handed!

Wait.. I mean.. bu....*cough*

I am glad I am far too lazy to hang around outside an O2 shop, methinks I may hold on for a few weeks and see how things develop.

 

[Nexus]

I would say that's being a little naive

They would never have delayed the launch.

And the bumpers are reported to solve the issue. If that's true (see video above for one example) then, crikey, that's a pretty big coincidence.

Why not?
If they were aware that there was a fault, and that everyone was going to see it, they would have known about it for a while and could easily have delayed the launch and not even announced it at WWDC. It's not like if they were aware of it that they would have announced it at WWDC and then spotted it.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Why not?
If they were aware that there was a fault, and that everyone was going to see it, they would have known about it for a while and could easily have delayed the launch and not even announced it at WWDC. It's not like if they were aware of it that they would have announced it at WWDC and then spotted it.

How did you know that is not what happened?

 

[TriedandTested]

Why not?
If they were aware that there was a fault, and that everyone was going to see it, they would have known about it for a while and could easily have delayed the launch and not even announced it at WWDC. It's not like if they were aware of it that they would have announced it at WWDC and then spotted it.

There are a number of reasons. Main one would probably be: shareholders/stock value.

The damage it would do the company's value on the stock market (and in the eye of the consumer) if they a) admitted a fault and/or b) delayed the launch would be pretty massive for their biggest product launch in their history.

Currently, they've wiped the floor with these new phones - problems or not!

 

[Nexus]

So you are saying that delaying the launch due to admitting there is a fault in their production (which they don't even have to go into the exact details of) is better than launching a product with a fault, which is then the number one read news story, most likely having to quickly look into a solution in production and no doubt offer a replacement to everyone who has already purchased one, or about to purchase one from all currently manufactured stock.

I think the worst reputation outcome is what has already happened, as far as I see it.

 

[Raymond Lin]

So you are saying that delaying the launch due to admitting there is a fault in their production (which they don't even have to go into the exact details of) is better than launching a product with a fault, which is then the number one read news story, most likely having to quickly look into a solution in production and no doubt offer a replacement to everyone who has already purchased one, or about to purchase one from all currently manufactured stock.

I think the worst reputation outcome is what has already happened, as far as I see it.

Exactly, just look at yourself.

You don't believe it, and it certainly worked on you !

 

[TriedandTested]

So you are saying that delaying the launch due to admitting there is a fault in their production (which they don't even have to go into the exact details of) is better than launching a product with a fault, which is then the number one read news story, most likely having to quickly look into a solution in production and no doubt offer a replacement to everyone who has already purchased one, or about to purchase one from all currently manufactured stock.

I think the worst reputation outcome is what has already happened, as far as I see it.

Probably, yes. Look at the alternative.

I expect this issue to be fixed by software. I can't see a recall happening.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

If they knew about this issue they'd have simply said "coming.. July" and left it vague, as they've done in the past. No one would have been the wiser and they might of had time to trial some new production techniques.

I wouldn't get too hopeful for a reply in the next 6 hrs. Perhaps end of play Friday (6pm) when it's about 10am their time and they've had full day Thursday to meet about it.

I'd like to be a fly on the wall in that meeting though

 

[The_Abyss]

Wow. Ok, now I can replicate the signal problem. Not in full, but sufficient to make it happen repeatedly. It drops from 5 bars to 3, whilst maintaining 3G. I can see how it could cut out in areas of lower signal.

Massive gaff imo if it is real. Unless there is a software fix (and although I know little about this, it seems unlikely), mine will go back.

 

[Malc]

If it is indeed a software issue do you think they will divulge why it is a software issue and not the obvious which is a hardware issue?

I really want it to be software related as this is the first iPhone that I have even considered buying. The build quality and attention to detail is brilliant (assuming the antenna design works obviously!)

 

[TriedandTested]

If they knew about this issue they'd have simply said "coming.. July" and left it vague, as they've done in the past. No one would have been the wiser and they might of had time to trial some new production techniques.

I wouldn't get too hopeful for a reply in the next 6 hrs. Perhaps end of play Friday (6pm) when it's about 10am their time and they've had full day Thursday to meet about it.

I'd like to be a fly on the wall in that meeting though

If they'd said 'coming in July' when this was announced what do you think they would be able to do with the 600,000 odd iPhones they had produced ready for this date and which they've sold so far (I think that's the figure touted) - they would have been preparing for today's launch for months. There is now a three week delay to the next batch so any fix wouldn't have a) happened to the initial batch or b) been available until the next batch (three weeks away).

If my calculations are correct (!) (and having an guestimated average purchase price for each phone around £300) that first batch had a value of £180,000,000 - nothing to sniff at!

* those calculations are just an estimate, don't quote me. Just to put it in perspective. It's probably much more....and then you have the contracts!