By Leo Stiles
The launch of Apple’s iPhone 4 has been marred by a number of customer reports that holding the phone a certain way will block the network signal to the phone.
Many new owners have said that holding it in way that covers the left hand corner of the phone will result in the device losing most, if not all, of its network signal, something which has left early adopters furious.
Apple, in an unusually dismissive move, has simply told its customers “not to hold it that way†and it is this comment which has new owners up in arms.
A statement issued by the electronics giant said: “Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas.
“If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”
This problem does not appear to be affecting all handsets, but enough to have caused a sizable outcry from fans who normally have nothing but praise for Apple’s products.
The iPhone 4 has yet to go on sale in Ireland, but an announcement for its launch here in July is expected soon. The handset is the latest move from Apple to protect its position as the market leader in the smartphone sector and features a much improved screen, a five megapixel camera with flash and improved functionality from the recently upgraded iOS4 software.
Owners of older iPhones can get a taste of what is in store from the new model through a free software upgrade that will bring features such as unified e-mail, folders for app organisation and most significantly, multitasking, a feature that many users have been clamouring for during the last two years.
If any of you were considering buying the iPhone 4 but are now having second thoughts, our advice is to wait and see how bad this problem gets. For the time being, you can console yourself with the confirmation that the new wonderphone blends very well.
