Apple are coming under heavy fire for their ongoing iPhone 4 hardware reception issues, with many industry insiders speculating the tech giants may even issue a widespread recall for the record-breaking device.
Apple’s troubles first began after numerous customers reported early issues with the device, which was snapped up by 1.7 million US consumers in its first three days of launch.
Independent US testing organisation Consumer Reports recently compounded Apple’s problems by announcing it is now unable to recommend the iPhone 4, owing to the mobile device’s poor reception issues, which are brought on by the unique external antenna.
A much-vaunted announcement during the mobile’s reveal, the iPhone 4’s GSM/3G and Wi-Fi antenna is built into the external shell of the device, exactly where the user’s hand comes into contact for making or receiving calls. The lower left side of the iPhone 4 is the source of the problem, with a particular spot on the side that causes a low signal area, even loss of connection, whenever pressure is applied during calls. Apple supremo Steve Jobs apparently even asked people to hold the iPhone “in that way†to avoid such issues.
After the company’s shares dived by 4% Tuesday night, however, many are speculating Apple may have to now issue a widespread recall of the device to save face. A number of PR experts have also told the Cult of Mac blog that an iPhone 4 recall is “inevitable”, with crisis communication expert Professor Matthew Seeger telling the site “brand image is the most important thing Apple has. This is potentially devastating.â€
Paddy Power are now offering odds of 4/5 that Apple will recall the iPhone 4, which still awaits a firm Irish release date.
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