Apple replies to the iPhone 4's "Left-handed death grip"
On Thursday, we reported that many iPhone 4 models were losing signal strength if picked up and held in the hand. Other models were also dropping calls a few seconds after the lower left corner of the screen was touched. The guys at Cupertino issued an official response which says, "Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your Phone 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." So there you have it. Apple says to change the way you are holding the phone, or use a rubber case. In other words, Apple is saying that this is not a big deal because all of the other cool phones are doing it. Did that excuse work when you wanted to pierce your tongue and your parents said, "No"? Will it work for Apple? That remains to be seen. First, Cupertino needs to admit that this is a problem that is a serious impediment to using and enjoying your iPhone 4. Offering free rubber cases to owners would be a nice peace offering. But the bottom line is that apparently there is a problem that doesn't easily reproduce itself on other phones-even Apple's own 3G and 3GS. Sure, it could be the stainless steel antenna/trim causing the problem. Whatever the cause, Apple needs to take responsibility and customers should be allowed to exchange a faulty iPhone 4 for a new one. This problem is not going to go away with a simple statement that basically says that dropping calls with a touch of the left hand is a "fact of life for every wireless phone".
Apple iPhone 4 Specifications
source: Gearlog
Apple iPhone 4 Specifications
source: Gearlog
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: