Apple iPhone Antenna Press Conference - The Summary

Apple iPhone Antenna Press Conference - The Summary:

• The Press Conference started with the iPhone Antenna Song. Awesome!
• Steve takes the stage...here we go!
• Apple isn't perfect!
• Best product Apple has ever made. Sold over 3 Million in three weeks. #1 Smartphone by multiple sources.
• Issue was reported 22 days ago. "We don't have our head in the sand." Been working for 22 days to figure out what was really wrong.
• All phones have a "death grip" issue. Blackberry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, Samsung Omnia II shown with the issue. The issue is a challenge for the entire cell phone industry.
• Algorithm issue with the amount of bars shown. The iOS4.0.1 update fixes this.
• State of the Art Antenna Testing Facility - $100 million invested in facilities. 17 anechoic chambers. 18 PhD scientists & engineers.
• Only 0.55% of all iPhone users called AppleCare about antenna/reception issues.
• Return rates are much lower on iPhone 4, than on the iPhone 3GS which is much lower than most other phone returns.
• iPhone 4 drops more calls than the iPhone 3GS per 100 calls made, but only <1 call per 100 calls.
• Apple wants every user to be happy.
• Released iOS 4.0.1 to solve issues. (Released 6-16-2010)
• Bumper is reported to solve the issues. iPhone 4 bumpers will be given to every user.
• If you bought a bumper you will get a refund.
• Free Bumper and refunds for all iPhone 4 phones purchased through September 30. At that time Apple will re-examine the issue.
• Apple will send you a free case, but they can't make enough Bumpers fast enough, so they will offer you a choice of cases.
• Apply on Apples website starting late next week. (Week of 6/19 - as of writing the link is not yet available)
• If you are not happy they will give you a full refund - no restocking fees, in the first 30 days from purchase.
• Proximity sensor does have some minor issues they are looking into - affecting small group of users.
• White iPhone releases end of July.
• July 30th - iPhone goes to 17 new countries.
• We love our users, and we work hard to surprise and delight them. We built 300 Apple retail stores for them, and provide free services in the stores.
• When we fall short, we try harder.
• When we succeed, we are rewarded by keeping our customers.
• We've worked hard for 22 days to discover the real issue, because we want to fix it for our customers.

July 16th Press Conference - iPhone Antenna Issues
iOS4.0.1 Software Update
Smartphone Antenna Performance
Apple's Antenna Testing Lab. If you're a geek you need to look at this!

Tech Rumors and Announcements - Thursday, July 15, 2010

This is going to be a big day in technology if all the rumors that are flying this morning are true.

We already know that Apple is going to talk to us tomorrow about the iPhone. We just don't know what is going to be said. Now it has leaked that an Apple employee may have warned Apple executives about he antenna issue. These constant leaks are devastating to Apple. I'm glad tomorrow should be the end of this.

The next big rumor is that iOS4.1 update will be released today. This comes from a source that says they have a reliable source. So take it for what it is worth. The update would explain the issues I had last night when trying to update an older iPhone's OS. I kept getting the message that the server could not be reached or the server terminated the connection. These things normally happen when the servers are being updated. So, we'll have to wait and see if a new iOS is released today.

Droid X is available today from Motorola on Verizon. This is one sick phone and I believe this phone is going to give Apple a run for the money. Not only is Android a fantastic phone operating system, but it is in phones available on multiple carriers.

The phones coming from HTC and Motorola using Android are very strong entrants in the Smart Phone market.

HTC Phones
Droid X

Apple plans July 16 press conference about iPhone 4

There is no information about what will be discussed. At least not yet.

Your speculation here...
- iPhone recall
- Free Bumpers
- Steve telling us we are all idiots "Hold the phone different"

Apple needs to fix the public image issue they have let spin out of control. No matter what is said, Steve Jobs needs to give everyone an answer. Even if the answer is not something we want to hear.

Reception Problems with AT&T at home or business? - A possible solution

The following article discusses a product that can help you with cell reception at your home or business. The product plugs into your existing network and extends the AT&T network, increasing bars in your location. Even if you need to buy one, at $150 it could be worth it.

Ask and ye shall receive a free AT&T femtocell? - CNET News

Don't get your hopes up, but an AT&T market trial means one suffering customer got a solution to his network woes without paying a cent.


CNET: The source for computers and technology http://www.cnet.com

Here's How Apple Can Recover From The Snowballing iPhone 4 Disaster (AAPL)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 (SF Gate)

Here's How Apple Can Recover From The Snowballing iPhone 4 Disaster (AAPL)
Jay Yarow, provided by

The Ultimate Droid X Survival Kit | PCMag.com

The Ultimate Droid X Survival Kit | PCMag.com

Is Apple Hiding Consumer Reports Discussion Threads? | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

Is Apple Hiding Consumer Reports Discussion Threads? | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

Mac Life Magazine - Digital Version Meltdown

I had a major meltdown with Mac Life. I wanted to read the digital version of the magazine that I subscribe to. What follows is my email and their response. What I am finding hard to believe is that a magazine like Mac Life is not making their magazines available on iBooks or Kindle. You can subscribe in any number of places, but as I learned, it may not qualify you for the online version of the magazine. In a world that will soon be full of large-screen phones, iPads and Android Tablets why wouldn't a tech magazine like Mac Life make their magazine available for iPad/Tablets in their native reader. By the way - the reader they provide works, but is not awesome, and I don't want to go to another location, and use another product to do something that should be easily done inside native apps on a product I own.

To Mac Life...

Let me start with the fact that I love Mac Life. Great magazine! I now have an iPad and I want to read it online. I'm shocked at what an absolute, complete, horrible experience this has been. The sample looks great. Now if I could only get the the f**king magazine!

Coverleaf is the worst piece of crap I have ever been involved with. If I were you, I would separate yourselves from them as soon as possible. They are not doing you any favors, and in fact my recent experience and the fact that you are even involved with them has me questioning my desire to even look at your magazine.

I created an account on Coverleaf. I already have an account with Mac Life so this step is a frustration. Oh Coverleaf says, "if your a subscriber click on the print subscriber button". Well, it doesn't exist. In fact Coverleaf does nothing but put me in a loop. Want to subscribe...gee I already did...your showing my f**king username at the top of the page, so you know who I am. Could I see the magazine that I'm paying for please? Apparently not! I have 3 hours in this B.S. because I couldn't believe how bad this is. Coverleaf will never take my information about my existing subscription, therefore I am never able to view the online version. It sure as hell is willing to put me in the subscription loop. My subscription is good until September.

Why isn't there a good solid link directly to the online version from the maclife website? The only way to get to the digital version is to click on a subscribe button which takes me to a page that ultimately puts me in Coverleaf which ultimately puts me in a loop, which put me on tilt, which has caused this email. I'm furious that a tech magazine allows this to exist. Tech magazines should be good at this.

I understand that print magazines are worrying about their future. More and more people just get their information for free off the Internet. The key is to have easily available services that can be used online. I have no problem paying for a subscription, in fact, I have looked for your magazine on Amazon, iBooks - but you aren't there. OK, I think that is a huge mistake, but you want to handle it yourself...Fine! Then make an interface that works. Create a link on your site that quickly gets me to the digital version when I'm away from my print version. Don't make me login to your site and Coverleaf. I never want to see Coverleaf again! You want to get new subscribers, keep existing subscribers and continue to have a successful magazine? Then have an online system that works. Otherwise, you should worry about your future.

End of Rant!

Can somebody please set up my account so I can read the magazine I pay for online? Please!

Thanks!

Brian Davids

From Mac Life back to me...

Thank you for contacting MacLife.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused, and thank you for the opportunity to be of service.

 Your subscription was placed through the following agency:

SYNAPSE/NEW SUB SERVICE
EAST BUILDING
225 HIGH RIDGE RD
WWW.MAGCUSTOMERSERVICE.COM
STAMFORD State: CT
06905
877-210-0582

Agency orders do not qualify for online access.

If you would like to sign up for our magazine that will include the digital access you can call our customer service number 1-888-771-6222. Once you have sign up for digital access you will receive a link every month when the new issue becomes available, all you will need to do is click on the link and you will have instant access to the online issue.

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. To ensure your future concerns are handled in a timely fashion, please include all previous e-mail correspondence.

Sincerely,
Dixie

So, because I subscribed in a way that they don't like. I don't get access to their magazine. So I wrote back one more question and of course I added the editor to the email....but have not received a response.

Thanks for the info. I wish my account would have told me that info. I wouldn't have been so irate.

Is Mac Life looking at subscriptions through Amazon (Kindle) or iBooks? I think it is a mistake to handle this yourselves. It limits circulation, and honestly their reader is much better than what you provide in the online version of the magazine.

No response to this one. Not shocked. Publishers are having a hard time figuring out how to monetize and control the content they produce. It's simple...put your content everywhere.

Apple iPad - Review

I just put my hands on the iPad this week for the first time. After spending a bunch of time with the device I have determined what the iPad is, and what it is not.

The iPad is not a laptop computer, duh. The iPad is a great window to the Internet. Let me explain.

Any "tablet" type device should be good at putting you on the Internet and the iPad is great at that function. Reading news, and surfing websites is an awesome experience on the iPad. There is something very new and very different about reading the web while holding it in your hands. It is something you need to try to experience, but I find the experience very pleasant.

The iPad is heavy and is not well suited for holding. If you recline in a chair and put the iPad on your lap, like every commercial shows, then it is comfortable to use. Holding it, is not practical.

Netflix app is awesome. Watching movies is a pleasant experience, streaming is solid and the onboard speaker is good enough to listen to. Using headphones of course is better, but not necessary.

Google Docs does not work with the iPad. Like the iPhone you are unable to create or modify documents. You can read them just fine. There is also no way to save or import documents into Google Docs. This talks to the point I made at the top that the iPad is not a laptop computer.

There are no disk functions and that is something I hope Apple addresses in the next release. We need external storage Apple, and as long as you are going to charge for MobileMe, I won't be using it.

Google Mail does not work properly on the iPad. It is necessary for you to use the "basic HTML" link at the bottom of the page if you want to use mail well. Google did create a new look for all of their mobile apps for the iPad, but Mail did not translate well. Using "basic HTML" helps mail a bunch.

While I'm on mobile apps on the web, Google has updated youtube.com and has requested that we all stop using the app. Go to m.youtube.com for an awesome mobile interface to youtube.

Apps. Most apps appear to work, and it seems like there are almost daily updates to apps to get them ready for iPad or iPhone 4. I'm please with the 2x function in most apps. Until these apps are written for the iPad the 2x option in the corner of the app allows the app to scale to the iPad screen size. Awesome.

The basic apps have been rewritten and are beautiful. Mail, Calendar, Address Book. All new for iPad and awesome.

Clock is missing. Apple, what the hell? Do you think nobody wants to use an alarm clock, timer, check international times? Don't get it. This was a big mistake. Nothing should have been removed from the iPhone to the iPad. Clock isn't the only missing app.

Missing apps: Clock, Stocks, Weather, Voice Memos, Calculator, Compass. Obviously Camera and Phone are missing, and that makes sense. No camera, no phone antenna.

iBooks and the Amazon Kindle app are both great. Books are competitively priced in both market places. I have been using the Kindle app from Amazon because I can read the books everywhere including a computer. Location in a book is synced with the Kindle store. iBooks is only usable on the iPad and iPhone and they keep your location info stored in the iTunes store. Big question for both of these platforms is text books. They have added necessary tools, highlighting and notes, but will they have "all" the textbooks my kids will need for school.

Facebook app works just like it does on the iPhone. My personal preference is to just go to facebook.com and login through the web browser. Looks and feels better to me.

In summary:

Cons: Heavy, Apps need updating for iPad, need a way to import and export files to a location on the device or the Internet.

Pros: Book reading is awesome, Web browsing is great, iPad apps are fantastic.

Is it worth the money? I think so. The iPad is very well built. It would be nice if they included a cloth to wipe the screen, since it is constantly getting fingerprints. Apple stickers are nice, but a cloth would be practical. Will there be competition from the Android platform coming very soon? Yes. There are tablets in the works that will feature Android. Android is Google's Mobile OS. How the tablet platform develops will determine its success. I think this is a good first product from Apple, but I know they can bring more to the table. I will look forward to iOS4 and the next version of the iPad.


Search Amazon.com for ipad