Apple delivers
Steve Jobs has just stood up and delivered a clever pitch aimed at stopping the iPhone 4 criticism in its tracks. Highlights include-
A full refund if you are not happy- you can return your iPhone 4 for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
Apple will send a free case, choice available, from the beginning of next week plus offer a refund to existing Bumper buyers.
In short, Apple says there is no problem with the antenna on the iPhone 4.
A series of demonstrations were put up showing similar signal loss on other mobile phones (by cupping the phones completely?). This quote makes some sense- “When the 3GS came out, we didn’t change the design from the 3G. So there were already lots of cases out there for the phone. And more than 80% of new buyers left the store with a case. Now the new phone doesn’t fit those cases, and we can’t make these bumpers fast enough, so only 20% leave the store with a case… but we’re going to figure it out.”
Apple is working on problems with the proximity sensor (next software update?)- disappointing that no more on this problem today.
Apparently Apple “loves all of its users” by the way…
If this is all too serious for you, check out the video below-
All Smartphones have signal problems, as does the iPhone 4. Therefore the iPhone 4 is okay as very few people complained. But Apple have lots of people working on this non-problem. Yes all very clear!
Apple is going to get criticism from some quarters no matter what it does, but Jobs and Co. did very well today. 3 million iPhone 4s sold in just 3 weeks and return rates of just 1.7% sounds pretty stunning to me. It’s a fantastic smartphone, and I really have nothing but contempt for those bloggers and lazy mainstream journalists who have tried to destroy its and Apple’s reputation over the past ten days.
I have to say I feel no different about the iPhone 4 following the press conference. Yes, there has been a huge amount of negative press, but Apple also gains a huge amount of positive press when it does things right (which is most of the time). You can’t expect one without the other.
Gizmodo is bonkers and looks for any opportunity to slam Apple nowadays, but does anyone really take it seriously anymore?
My proximity sensor issue drives me mad and I would say the same no matter who made the phone. Will see if the replacement has the same problem.
I don’t have contempt for the journalists or bloggers- most mainstream journalists do not understand the specifics and the bloggers are in the business of writing their thoughts down. There has been some crazy over egging of the truth, but then again there is lots of positive over egging when a new Apple product is launched as well. It’s like a celebrity wanting attention from the press every day and then complaining about privacy.
Apple needs to learn that it’s excellent marketing, which truly is excellent, has to have a downside.
This story wasmon the 6 pm news on BBC TV in the UK and it’s been the second listed story on the main news on the BBC web site. Apple get a profile in the news that it does not deserve given that most people don’t own an iPhone in the UK.
@jah
It’s not about ownership though is it? (though there were more people queuing for the phone on 24th June outside phone shops all over the UK than you ever see for any other type of device)
It’s about the company. Like it or not (and frankly I don’t care either way), Apple is a big company, and this is big news. I’m sure Apple didn’t set out to be lead stories when they launched the iPhone – at least not in this context. It’s the media/journalists etc (once again) who have blown this out of all proportion.
By the way, though I can replicate some dropping of bars on my iPhone, it’s not an issue and I still think it’s a fantastic device. I don’t have Shaun’s proximity issues either.
@ Statto
My point was that as Shaun said that Apple get a lot of free media publicity like a pop star even though the pop star is not relevant for most people.
I agree with most of what you say, Shaun, but I think that some parts of the media went way over the top recently. And, yes, that is the price Apple pays for being the most high profile tech company on the planet (I said the same thing a couple of days ago), but it is never easy to deal with.
And I simply do not agree that there is any excuse for bloggers or professional journalists to play fast and loose with facts or to engage in malicious exaggeration.
And I’m absolutely certain that your proximity sensor issue will be fixed to your satisfaction, one way or another. Sooner rather than later, I hope.
Jah, the very fact that most of today’s smartphones/feature phones take their cues from the iPhone is reason enough for the iPhone and Apple to have they profile they do. From the UI, pinch to zoom, use of accelerometers, the app store, and in a countless other ways, the iPhone has had and continues to have a profound influence on the market. The iPhone took smartphones mainstream and that’s why it gets a lot of attention (both good and bad).
“given that most people don’t own an iPhone in the UK.”
@Jah
Most people do not own a particular phone in the UK, but the iPhone is everywhere that I work, socialise and go currently. I see so many it’s crazy.
Smartphones get big attention everywhere and the iPhone even more. We should embrace the fact that the BBC etc. are noticing and not decry it.
“And I’m absolutely certain that your proximity sensor issue will be fixed to your satisfaction, one way or another. Sooner rather than later, I hope.”
@lazyboy
Thanks, but how on earth did this slip through? This is why Apple get such rounds of bad press because it is so unlike the company. When you have this problem it makes the whole experience much less than it should be and for all of Apple’s excellent design work this part is a screw up in my opinion. I am not convinced the signal issue is a huge deal and that has been blown up a lot, but conversely the proximity issue seems to only affect some people and it is potentially much worse.
@Shaun
I’ve been to parts of the UK that are not London and the South East, and guess what, people use cheap Sasmsung and LG phones. Nokia, Samsung and SE sell the most phones in the UK, not Apple.
“Nokia, Samsung and SE sell the most phones in the UK, not Apple.”
Not smartphones. The hype is smartphone related at the moment and will continue to be.
I know absolutely nothing about the proximity sensor issue or what causes it. I don’t have it, neither does my son, nor, it seems, do most users. Perhaps it’s a combination of hardware and software on certain phones. As I said, hope it gets sorted for you soon.
@Shaun
more people own feature phones than Smartphones. The issue is about making phone calls (function of the antenna) not using Smartphone functions. My point and you point is valid, Apple is given preferntial treatment because it is a big brand. Most people where I work don’t care about Smartphones or iPads, they are more worried about job cuts (no pun intended!).
@jah
“My point was that as Shaun said that Apple get a lot of free media publicity like a pop star even though the pop star is not relevant for most people.”
Understand that, but I think on this point Apple would rather have done without the free publicity…!
sure, if you move in certain circles of engineers, techies and rich marketing people they’ll have iphones, but that’s not the majority of the phone using population.
most people are quite contented with phones that are purely there for making calls and messaging, and if they need the internet use their computer at home or work.
sure, many people are mathematically challenged but even the average person can work out that £35/month on a phone is going to be quite expensive
there aren’t that many people willing to blow £700+ on a phone over eighteen months, they’d probably prefer to blow that kind of money on a new TV or better satellite TV service that the *whole* family can enjoy.
“sure, if you move in certain circles of engineers, techies and rich marketing people they’ll have iphones, but that’s not the majority of the phone using population.”
I wish I did, but I don’t. I refuse to deal with marketing people at work if I can avoid it. I do work in the mobile industry, but the people with iPhones I see tend to range from any age and any salary scale. From 20 years old all the way to 50 and above.
Apple were only trying to deflect the new bad news about bluetooth problems:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/add-bluetooth-to-the-iphone-4-list-of-woe-updated-2x/7588
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