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Apple says iPhone 4 calculates bars wrong, software fix forthcoming

Just stumbled across this...

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/02/applesays_iphone_4_calculates_bars_wrong_software_fixforthcoming.html

 iMac 24" 2.66Ghz Intel Core Duo 2, Mac OS X (10.6.4),  iPhone 4 iOS 4.0

Posted on Jul 2, 2010 5:53 AM

1,035 replies

FredOx

Level 1

0 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:13 AM in response to ke11111y

That's exactly what it means. They don't acknowledge that the iPhone 4's antenna design results in more attenuation than any previous iPhone, and more than any of the other phones that they namedrop in that press release. You'll still be able to magically drop calls by Holding It Wrong, you just won't be quite as shocked when you drop from three bars to Searching... instead of from five bars.

They're up front about it, too. If you don't like it, quit asking for recalls or free cases, just return it and STFU.

iZian

Level 2

178 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:14 AM in response to StuartDonaghy

I've actually just soiled myself laughing so hard at this!

So what they say is really...

(Paraphrased)
We are aware that users have found our hardware fault that drops the signal strength when a conductive bridge is made between the Wifi antenna and the GSM antenna.
We don't plan to fix this; but instead show people that they had less singnal to begin with.
We hope that this will make all our fanboys happy again and believe that they are using a product that is fit for purpose.
We still advise that you hold your phone to your head with elastic or rubber bands. Alternatively you could hold the phone between thumb and index finger by the top and walk around with your elbow in the air.

Thank god they've fixed it!

What they don't realise is that now; since this software patch (if it exists) all those who posted saying they don't see any signal drop will actually *now see a signal drop* as the bars will correctly show a new lower signal... before they were fooled to believe that they hadn't had any signal drop.

Who thinks that apple tried to make it this way so it looked like we had full signal when we held our phone; but forgot that some people will go straight to no service???

Jul 2, 2010 6:15 AM in response to StuartDonaghy

This wont fix the problem guys, its a smokescreen on apples part. BUY A BUMPER 😉

Jul 2, 2010 6:15 AM in response to BryC

BryC wrote:
This is whats called the Jedi Mind trick, to end all mind tricks.

There is...no iPhone issue.

Give it a chance at least. The logic could be that simple i.e. if Bars = 0 then drop call. I can believe it's as simple as that. Trouble is we're all so hyped up about it and angry that it now seems ilogical that it could be a simple S/w fix. In an already weak signal area it could have really exacerbated the problem.

Jul 2, 2010 6:16 AM in response to ke11111y

And shirt! Maybe socks, too

BryC

Level 1

54 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:18 AM in response to Andy Thomas

Well, It will include more people now. If i have read it right, it will make more bars drop, those who have not seen/reported bar drops?

I've had no issues, i have been able to replicate the bars dropping/no service and been able to make calls fine.

FredOx

Level 1

0 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:22 AM in response to Andy Thomas

Sorry, but the likelihood that the iPhone's firmware uses the fiction of bars instead of the actual signal (in dB or whatever) is equivalent to the signal I would receive right now if I held my phone wrong.

Jul 2, 2010 6:24 AM in response to StuartDonaghy

It makes perfect sense to me. I've been in 2 different areas of the same building with the same phone & used the 'death grip' One area will loose all signal & the other will stay full. It's the same for my bosses phone as well.

Over the last week i've been testing the phone & it all bores down to the software & how it shows the signal, not the antenna itself. If the phone isn't calibrated right, it's going to show the wrong amount of bars, as stated in the press release. So when you think you have 3/4 bars of reception, in reality you only have 1. This problem is also apparent on the 3GS as well, watch... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3uhzXTXt-M&feature=related

The one thing they have not mentioned though is the issues with the proximity sensor. Lets hope this is fixed & included in the next update.

iZian

Level 2

178 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:25 AM in response to Andy Thomas

Andy Thomas wrote:
Give it a chance at least. The logic could be that simple i.e. if Bars = 0 then drop call.

This is wrong. The current OS shows more bars than there are... If you get "searching" or "No service"; this actually still means you have no service because they have told us that the phone likes to show more bars than it has...

Unfortunately; without meaning to sound rude; you sir are one of the people who they hope and will succeed in fooling in this little ploy.

sophos9

Level 1

25 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:27 AM in response to StuartDonaghy

Ah listen to the all the experts now stating how the technical sides of this will not work.

You are not experts, you do not understand RF and software controllers - if you did you would know why your comments back up your lack of understanding

Jul 2, 2010 6:28 AM in response to StuartDonaghy

StuartDonaghy wrote:
Just stumbled across this...

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/02/applesays_iphone_4_calculates_bars_wrong_software_fixforthcoming.html

LOL. so they are completley dodging the issue with the antenna and masking the problem. And, like I said earlier on this board, you people that are saying "I have full bars, return your phone" be prepared to see your 1 bar and be furious.

Guess I can return mine now since this is so called patch is coming in a few weeks.

sophos9

Level 1

25 points

Jul 2, 2010 6:29 AM in response to deftonesfool

No, they are calibrating the baseband correctly as has been pointed out all along by people that understand RF attenuation interpretation by software controlled devices

Jul 2, 2010 6:30 AM in response to iZian

iZian wrote:

Andy Thomas wrote:
Give it a chance at least. The logic could be that simple i.e. if Bars = 0 then drop call.

This is wrong. The current OS shows more bars than there are... If you get "searching" or "No service"; this actually still means you have no service because they have told us that the phone likes to show more bars than it has...

Unfortunately; without meaning to sound rude; you sir are one of the people who they hope and will succeed in fooling in this little ploy.

Nope, you didn't understand what I was saying, but I can't bothered to respond to somebody who seems to think I'm dumb or easily fooled just because I'm willing to give something a try before tossing it out as a possible fix.

If you know something (definate) that we (fools) all dont then buy all means decalre yourself as an expert.

Jul 2, 2010 6:33 AM in response to _recklesslife_

recklesslife wrote:
This wont fix the problem guys, its a smokescreen on apples part. BUY A BUMPER 😉

I'd rather buy a bumper that has a signal booster built into the case for the i4.
The signal's so deprivated, third party companies are going to profit over it and build signal booster cases that work better than the i4 itself.

Here's my thoughts: Apple did it on purpose to add profit to third party companies to build a case to replace their signal. 😝

Jul 2, 2010 6:35 AM in response to sophos9

sophos9 wrote:
No, they are calibrating the baseband correctly as has been pointed out all along by people that understand RF attenuation interpretation by software controlled devices

you have no idea what you are talking about. please drink more of Apple's wine.

Apple says iPhone 4 calculates bars wrong, software fix forthcoming