July 2, 2010: Apple opens up about “Antennagate,” issuing a letter that addresses iPhone 4 reception issues publicly for the primary time.
In a letter addressed to iPhone 4 customers, Apple admits to being “stunned once we learn stories of reception issues, and … instantly started investigating them.” Nonetheless, the corporate’s findings do little to dispel the rising Antennagate controversy.
Apple’s Antennagate letter addresses iPhone 4 controversy
The iPhone 4 was a fantastic handset. When it launched in early June 2010, it turned an enormous hit, smashing data for preorders and opening-weekend gross sales. The Antennagate subject reared its head when some clients reported dropped calls. The glitch occurred when a consumer held the iPhone 4 of their left hand, with their palm masking the handset’s tiny antenna hole.
iPhone 4 reception issues: A software program fault?
Apple design chief Jony Ive’s resolution to take away the earlier iPhone’s plastic antenna band brought about the issue. In its Antennagate letter to clients, nevertheless, Apple positioned the blame on a software program fault:
“Upon investigation, we had been shocked to search out that the method we use to calculate what number of bars of sign energy to show is completely incorrect. Our method, in lots of situations, mistakenly shows 2 extra bars than it ought to for a given sign energy. For instance, we generally show 4 bars once we ought to be displaying as few as 2 bars. Customers observing a drop of a number of bars once they grip their iPhone in a sure manner are most probably in an space with very weak sign energy, however they don’t comprehend it as a result of we’re erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their massive drop in bars is as a result of their excessive bars had been by no means actual within the first place.”
Apple mentioned it could repair the issue with a free software program replace that included the corrected method.
“Since this error has been current for the reason that unique iPhone, this software program replace may even be out there for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G,” Apple mentioned.
Apple’s Antennagate letter doesn’t finish the matter
Sadly for Apple, that didn’t put the difficulty to relaxation. A number of weeks later, Antennagate hit essential mass when revered commerce publication Shopper Studies mentioned it could not advocate the brand new Apple smartphone.
To calm the media firestorm, Apple CEO Steve Jobs flew again early from a household vacation in Hawaii to stage a press convention. He stood by the iPhone 4 (even taking part in a fan-made track defending it). Nonetheless, he addressed Antennagate truthfully — and supplied clients free iPhone 4 bumper circumstances that solved the issue. Future variations of the iPhone additionally corrected the gadget’s fault.
Ultimately, it took till 2012 (and the decision of a class-action lawsuit) for Apple to lastly convey the controversy to an in depth.
Full textual content of Apple’s Antennagate letter
Right here’s the complete textual content of the letter Apple despatched on at the present time in 2010:
Pricey iPhone 4 Customers,
The iPhone 4 has been probably the most profitable product launch in Apple’s historical past. It has been judged by reviewers world wide to be the very best smartphone ever, and customers have informed us that they find it irresistible. So we had been stunned once we learn stories of reception issues, and we instantly started investigating them. Here’s what we’ve realized.
To begin with, gripping nearly any cell phone in sure methods will scale back its reception by 1 or extra bars. That is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, in addition to many Droid, Nokia and RIM telephones. However some customers have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a manner which covers the black strip within the decrease left nook of the steel band. It is a far greater drop than regular, and because of this some have accused the iPhone 4 of getting a defective antenna design.
On the identical time, we proceed to learn articles and obtain a whole bunch of emails from customers saying that iPhone 4 reception is healthier than the iPhone 3GS. They’re delighted. This matches our personal expertise and testing. What can clarify all of this?
We’ve got found the reason for this dramatic drop in bars, and it’s each easy and stunning.
Upon investigation, we had been shocked to search out that the method we use to calculate what number of bars of sign energy to show is completely incorrect. Our method, in lots of situations, mistakenly shows 2 extra bars than it ought to for a given sign energy. For instance, we generally show 4 bars once we ought to be displaying as few as 2 bars. Customers observing a drop of a number of bars once they grip their iPhone in a sure manner are most probably in an space with very weak sign energy, however they don’t comprehend it as a result of we’re erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their massive drop in bars is as a result of their excessive bars had been by no means actual within the first place.
To repair this, we’re adopting AT&T’s lately beneficial method for calculating what number of bars to show for a given sign energy. The actual sign energy stays the identical, however the iPhone’s bars will report it much more precisely, offering customers a significantly better indication of the reception they may get in a given space. We’re additionally making bars 1, 2 and three a bit taller so they are going to be simpler to see.
We’ll subject a free software program replace inside a couple of weeks that includes the corrected method. Since this error has been current for the reason that unique iPhone, this software program replace may even be out there for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.
We’ve got gone again to our labs and retested all the things, and the outcomes are the identical— the iPhone 4’s wi-fi efficiency is the very best we’ve ever shipped. For the overwhelming majority of customers who haven’t been troubled by this subject, this software program replace will solely make your bars extra correct. For many who have had issues, we apologize for any nervousness we might have brought about.
As a reminder, in case you are not absolutely happy, you’ll be able to return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Retailer or the web Apple Retailer inside 30 days of buy for a full refund.
We hope you like the iPhone 4 as a lot as we do.
Thanks on your persistence and assist.
Apple
Apple’s first massive controversy
Do you keep in mind Antennagate and the letter Apple despatched to deal with the controversy? Had been you an iPhone proprietor on the time? Tell us within the feedback under.
