[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Wacky White iPhone 4 Theory: Delayed for Antenna Fix here

[Mindbender]

It's a wacky theory alright. And it's absolute nonsense. Outside of a software solution-- if one is possible-- the next time we see a new iPhone model will be June of next year. I guess you weren't listening to Jobs at the press conference-- or at least you weren't hearing what he was really saying.

There is no problem with the iPhone 4. They made an engineering compromise. You may not agree with the compromise, and it may ultimately have been a mistake given the PR explosion they have on their hands. But they were clearly aware of the compromise and didn't think it would be a significant issue. And given the return rate on the phone, I think they were right. It's not a big issue-- for the users. What they didn't count on was the blogosphere turning this into a firestorm.

Regarding the fact that the free case offer ends on September 30. It's pretty ridiculous to read so much into it. They're giving themselves an out. They're hoping this whole thing will blow over and then come October 1 they can resume collecting $29 for each case instead of giving them away.

But I guess you get the page clicks with asinine stories like this, so I suppose your business plan is working.

[iphoneuser]

The question would be, what would black iPhone 4 owners do when they realize the white iPhone 4 doesn't require a bumper cover?

[dave1812]

what a STUPID theory. According to Apple, THERE IS NO ANTENNA ISSUE. Apple claims (falsely) that RIM, HTC, and others have "real" antenna" issues.

Jobs is an ass-clown...

[MichaelBrianBentley]

The fix could be as simple as adding a shellac coat to the antennas' outside surfaces prior to assembly.

It obviously adds a manufacturing step to production. Biggie? Not.

[marctos]

Mindbender, on 23 July 2010 - 01:40 PM, said:

It's a wacky theory alright. And it's absolute nonsense. Outside of a software solution-- if one is possible-- the next time we see a new iPhone model will be June of next year. I guess you weren't listening to Jobs at the press conference-- or at least you weren't hearing what he was really saying.

There is no problem with the iPhone 4. They made an engineering compromise. You may not agree with the compromise, and it may ultimately have been a mistake given the PR explosion they have on their hands. But they were clearly aware of the compromise and didn't think it would be a significant issue. And given the return rate on the phone, I think they were right. It's not a big issue-- for the users. What they didn't count on was the blogosphere turning this into a firestorm.

Regarding the fact that the free case offer ends on September 30. It's pretty ridiculous to read so much into it. They're giving themselves an out. They're hoping this whole thing will blow over and then come October 1 they can resume collecting $29 for each case instead of giving them away.

But I guess you get the page clicks with asinine stories like this, so I suppose your business plan is working.

Were You hearing Steve Jobs 7 days ago?
"At the iPhone 4 press conference on Friday 16th July 2010, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that the white iPhone 4 would begin shipping in limited quantities by the end of July"
He changed his mind in 4 days, so why would't he change his mind again about a fixed iPhone by the end of the year?

[dave1812]

btw, when Steve (ass-clown) Jobs starts giving billions to charity, I'll stop ragging on him (not that he cares, but I feel better about busting his ass in absentia, every chance I get, because he's a megalomaniac control freak jerk)

[dave1812]

It is beyond pathetic that Apple keeps dragging other mfgrs into this sordid chapter of cell phone issues. Now Apple is going on about the Droid X. Give it up, JOBS!!!!

[SheaCardinalli]

I am loling at how many fanboys must be converting to fanmen right now as their whole outlook on life and iphones shifts. The iphone is flawed, always has been and always will be. The biggest problem here is not that the phone is flawed, but that people can't deal with Mr. Stephen Squeaky Clean Job's reputation turning sour right before their eyes. My advice to Steve Jobs would would be to leave the customer service up to his employees and quit being so public. It's the lying and we can do no wrong attitude that is making the Apple rotten.

[cwrig]

I think the white iphones are simply for left handed people. Thats why its taking so long to produce. They have to move the faulty antenna to the other side of the phone so leftys can be accommodated without the need for a bumper.

[Mindbender]

marctos, on 23 July 2010 - 03:20 PM, said:

Mindbender, on 23 July 2010 - 01:40 PM, said:

It's a wacky theory alright. And it's absolute nonsense. Outside of a software solution-- if one is possible-- the next time we see a new iPhone model will be June of next year. I guess you weren't listening to Jobs at the press conference-- or at least you weren't hearing what he was really saying.

There is no problem with the iPhone 4. They made an engineering compromise. You may not agree with the compromise, and it may ultimately have been a mistake given the PR explosion they have on their hands. But they were clearly aware of the compromise and didn't think it would be a significant issue. And given the return rate on the phone, I think they were right. It's not a big issue-- for the users. What they didn't count on was the blogosphere turning this into a firestorm.

Regarding the fact that the free case offer ends on September 30. It's pretty ridiculous to read so much into it. They're giving themselves an out. They're hoping this whole thing will blow over and then come October 1 they can resume collecting $29 for each case instead of giving them away.

But I guess you get the page clicks with asinine stories like this, so I suppose your business plan is working.

Were You hearing Steve Jobs 7 days ago?
"At the iPhone 4 press conference on Friday 16th July 2010, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that the white iPhone 4 would begin shipping in limited quantities by the end of July"
He changed his mind in 4 days, so why would't he change his mind again about a fixed iPhone by the end of the year?

Well yes, in fact, I did hear Jobs say that. I think he shouldn't have opened his mouth if he wasn't sure that he could deliver white phones by the end of July. He created another minor PR problem with people furiously coming up with conspiracy theories.

Most times, things are not more complicated than they seem. I believe that this is one of those moments. They are having a problem manufacturing the white iPhones for some reason. Perhaps they start to turn yellow or crack or don't look good when they're being manufactured in quantity. The last thing Apple wants right now is to have an issue with the cosmetics of the white phones. Can you imagine the furor if something like that were to occur and they had to recall a bunch of phones because they don't look good? Remember the cracks in the Cube? I suspect manufacturing these things is more complicated than you think.

Bottom line is that it is WAY more likely that they are having a problem manufacturing the white phone than they are redesigning the phone to "fix" the antenna. Let's follow this "wacky" theory to it's logical end. Say they have a hardware "fix" (for something they don't think is broken by the way) and they are going to introduce the fix with the white iPhones. How is that a good plan? What about all the people buying black iPhones? Won't this present a pretty big PR and logistical mess for them to sort though? But hey, feel free to bend and twist all logic into a pretzel looking for a way to make Apple's motives look wildly devious.

[mkb1]

The "free" cases only being available until Sep. 30th is because the initial buyers didn't know about the iPhones antenna flaw/non-flaw. Anyone purchasing an iPhone after that date should already know about the issue and can factor that into their decision to buy an iPhone and maybe a bumper.

1. I suspect third party modders will come up with a quick fix. 2. White model being delayed to fix antenna flaw/non-flaw is possible as Jobs himself has said that his engineer's are working around the clock to fix the problem, and it has even been reported that Apple is hiring new antenna engineers. 3. White headphones for iPods were the "cool" thing just like white MacBooks. White iPhones being delayed will make them that much cooler once there available. People who couldn't stand to wait will buy a black one, then once the white one comes out a percentage will buy that one also. 4. I'm sure that the white casing is already being manufactured, why they don't just build a percentage with that casing right away is interesting. The rest of the phone is the same as the black one (probably antenna fix or white phone "coolness" factor is my guess).

[wakajawaka]

Mindbender said: "But I guess you get the page clicks with asinine stories like this, so I suppose your business plan is working."

That sounds about right coming from a supporter of a company who's business model is to make asinine excuses for its product flaws and throw asinine accusations at its competitors.

Why do Jobs' apologists all come across as being as big of a douche bag as he is? I guess its true that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Its a shame that the underhanded, abusive corporations tend to make the most money, but even worse that there are so many people who stand in line to cheerlead the success, just because its success.

What a sad joke this situation is.

[Mindbender]

wakajawaka, on 23 July 2010 - 06:47 PM, said:

Mindbender said: "But I guess you get the page clicks with asinine stories like this, so I suppose your business plan is working."

That sounds about right coming from a supporter of a company who's business model is to make asinine excuses for its product flaws and throw asinine accusations at its competitors.

Why do Jobs' apologists all come across as being as big of a douche bag as he is? I guess its true that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Its a shame that the underhanded, abusive corporations tend to make the most money, but even worse that there are so many people who stand in line to cheerlead the success, just because its success.

What a sad joke this situation is.

I am absolutely a douche bag and seriously thanks for comparing me to El Jobso in any way-- even though of course you mean it in the most derogatory way. I wonder what if any companies you hold in high regard? And this is a serious question. I'm quite interested to understand what a "good" corporation is. Best I can tell, the point of every corporation is to add as much value to shareholders as possible. While this is not why I admire Apple, you must admit that they are in fact adding a lot of value for their shareholder-- even if it is by employing "underhanded and abusive" tactics. And just for the record, I don't believe that Apple succeeds by employing magic or inducing mass hysteria. I think they succeed simply because they make products that people want to buy.

Here's a list of some companies that I greatly admire. Apple, of course. Miele. Mercedes. BMW. Leica. McIntosh Labs (no relation to the folks in Cupertino-- google them, it's a fascinating company). I admire these companies because they build beautiful objects with a big emphasis on advanced engineering.

So what are the corporations that are not "underhanded and abusive" that you admire?

[Aeryn]

mkb1, on 23 July 2010 - 06:38 PM, said:

The "free" cases only being available until Sep. 30th is because the initial buyers didn't know about the iPhones antenna flaw/non-flaw. Anyone purchasing an iPhone after that date should already know about the issue and can factor that into their decision to buy an iPhone and maybe a bumper.

1. I suspect third party modders will come up with a quick fix. 2. White model being delayed to fix antenna flaw/non-flaw is possible as Jobs himself has said that his engineer's are working around the clock to fix the problem, and it has even been reported that Apple is hiring new antenna engineers. 3. White headphones for iPods were the "cool" thing just like white MacBooks. White iPhones being delayed will make them that much cooler once there available. People who couldn't stand to wait will buy a black one, then once the white one comes out a percentage will buy that one also. 4. I'm sure that the white casing is already being manufactured, why they don't just build a percentage with that casing right away is interesting. The rest of the phone is the same as the black one (probably antenna fix or white phone "coolness" factor is my guess).

Reasonable and it could be that they are headed the "you should have known" route by Sept 30th. However unless they're willing to clearly state in their User Guide/Owner's Manual/Mini Mac Bible that this is expected behavior of the device despite it's name containing the word 'phone' then new buyers can claim (sue because) they didn't know because they BELIEVED what Jobs said: "non-issue".

[vertical2010]

Can't be true. According to Jobs, Apple is working day and night to fix the antenna problem that doesn't exist. And the free bumper will fix the antenna problem that doesn't exist. Anyway, I returned my iphone 4 yesterday because of the antenna problem that doesn't exist, but I will probably buy the improved version after Apple fixes the antenna problem that doesn't exist. Or I will go to DROID, if they don't fix the non-existent problem quickly.

[bpw2]

Mindbender, on 23 July 2010 - 07:36 PM, said:

Here's a list of some companies that I greatly admire. Apple, of course. Miele. Mercedes. BMW. Leica. McIntosh Labs (no relation to the folks in Cupertino-- google them, it's a fascinating company). I admire these companies because they build beautiful objects with a big emphasis on advanced engineering.

Miele dishwashers, Mercedes, Leica, OK. BMW and especially McIntosh Labs don't belong in the list. With BMW, the blush is off the rose. Reliability is way down. McIntosh is for the faceplate crowd. Big blue meters, glass front panels, and unexceptional sound, and for some strange reason they put output transformers in solid state amps. Their amps invert polarity. Their speakers are just awful.

White iPhone, meh. Very feminine.

[empirestatebuddy]

dave1812, on 23 July 2010 - 03:12 PM, said:

what a STUPID theory. According to Apple, THERE IS NO ANTENNA ISSUE. Apple claims (falsely) that RIM, HTC, and others have "real" antenna" issues.

Jobs is an ass-clown...

How dare you insult ass clowns like that!

[SurferDude123]

Motorola Droid X as expected has antenna issue much worse than Blackberry, Nokia, HTC and Samsung.

Follow this link:
http://www.intomobil...blems-on-video/

This post has been edited by SurferDude123: 24 July 2010 - 01:18 AM

[trrll]

Apple is clearly keeping its options open. Perhaps they'll continue the free bumper offer, or perhaps they's just start packing one into the box. Or perhaps they'll cut the price on the phone a bit and discontinue the offer. Or maybe the whole thing will blow over as word of mouth from iPhone 4 buyers (who mostly seem quite satisfied with the reception) trumps media frenzy, and Apple will go back to selling the bumpers.