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Antennagate: Steve Jobs blames the laws of physics

Problem? Get a life or a free bumper

Antennagate: Steve Jobs blames the laws of physics
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In a typically robust performance, Apple CEO Steve Jobs dealt with criticism of the mobile reception of iPhone 4 by pointing out it was worse on competing phones.

The problem - which the company has labelled Antennagate (i.e. "there is no Antennagate") - is a combination of human and technical issues. Jobs argued it had been blown out of all proportion by the media, and that the loss of a mobile signal was a factor experienced by all devices when their antenna are gripped in a certain way by a human hand.

Indeed, during Apple's press conference, he spent some time pointing out the same problem was found in BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile phones, only worse.

Jobs explained the reason Apple had been particularly targetted was that other companies didn't handle the loss of signal in robust manner, so while a phone from a rival company may be showing a good connection in terms of its user interface, if held in the wrong way this was incorrect: something Apple has now fixed on iPhones with a firmware update.

It wasn't me

Continuing his defensive tone, Jobs revealed that iPhone 4 is Apple's best phone to date, in terms of complaints and returns.

While iPhone 3GS had a return rate of 6 percent, with iPhone 4 it's a mere 1.7 percent. In terms of users who have phoned to complain about iPhone 4 antenna problems, the rate is a tiny 0.55 percent or around 1,500 calls.

Still, what everyone expected did finally come to pass with all iPhone 4 buyers up to September 30 able to claim a free bumper aka a plastic cover which will stop this antenna issue. Or, of course, you can return your iPhone 4 for a full refund.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.