Well, the bumper isn't bad, but it's not a total solution to me as far as solid protection goes. I would prefer a full case myself -- I use a Juicepack Air on my 3GS so I know it's got some good protection going. I'll probably take Apple up on their free case offer until the Juicepack for the iPhone 4 (or something similar/equivalent) comes along. (There's one out already and it looks nice, so I might consider it.) I do agree that it's been blown out of proportion -- the problem exists, no doubt about it, but I think only a few have chronic issues with it and are simply thinking it's worse than it is based on the bars, not the call quality or number of dropped calls. I'm okay with the solution though; I don't know how bad it'll be on the phones I get but it's nice to know at least that regardless, I won't have to worry about it one way or the other.
I can say that here in Canada, despite Rogers (and Bell for that matter) being your typical massive butt-raping corporate giant, they have some strong signal coverage; I've dropped only about four or five calls in the 4 years I've been with them, that those only recently, and found only one (rather strange) place out of doors where the signal weakens, and one place indoors where it does. Everywhere else I get a nice strong signal. I actually expect those two dead zones to improve with the 4.
Easy for you to say, Torontonian. Vancouver Island had more dead space than coverage zones. I would have greater coverage if I switched to Telus but I don't know how I would live with my conscience.
I'll say it again this issue IS real. I have tested 5 and all do the exact same thing. And it's not a misreading of bars presented it doesn't even call out if held incorrectly. So now steve makes it sound like we are whiners so they'll throw us a free case. I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place now. I sold my 3GS and I was out of contract. I could keep my 4 but seeing how apple reacted today I have 5 more days to decide on a return. But then what? Get a 3GS and go back on a contract for two years?... Get a different device altogether? Probably not seeing as I've invested over $300 on apps. Or stick with what is an obviously BROKEN device. How the he'll could he sit there and say this problem exists on all smartphones?!?!?! This is what makes ne so angry and wanting to do a return, yes all smartphones lose "some" signal this much is true. But NONE lose signal altogether preventing calls and data like the iPhone 4 does. So now I have 5 days to keep my phone (itouch) an use a case which I have had and does fix the problem or return an get stuck on a 3GS for 2 years. Based on how steve reacted today I think I may just return it and wait to see if the new batches don't have this issue. Needless to say I am really dissapointed by the press conference today.
Wow Steve, that's the best you got? "Welllll, we can't 'fix' your phones, sooo..take free gear!" That will solve all of your problems Jobbs, sure.
Apple's announcement today was a product of its hubris over the past few weeks. Sure the bumper addresses the issue, but frankly, they created and were forced into this giveaway. I actually found it peculiar that Jobs would cite statistics because seriously, look at the source. From a reputation standpoint, the antenna issue is only one of several missteps thus far with the iPhone 4. Consider the lost prototype back in April followed by the raid on the Gizmodo writer's house. Believe what you will about the reporter's tactics in paying for the prototype, but the entire pre-launch and launch of the device has hurt Apple's brand. Don't forget the news that Apple even knew about the antenna issue before the device shipped. These types of missteps add up. The company has been looking at this from an engineer's perspective when it should be looking at it from a consumer one. Today's press conference only reinforced that which doesn't bode well. The message that came across this morning: sure you can return your iPhone or take the bumper we give you, but either way, the problem is yours to deal with.
I couldn't care less about Today's outcome. Doesn't affect me in anyway, apart from getting the money I spent on the Bumper back.
Unfortunately it looks like the bumper, which for me is the best solution, will mot be part of available solutions. On appshopper article they say that Apple can't make enough of them for all the iPhone users, so none of us will get them, and instead "be able" to choose from some unknown selection of cases. I guess for current bumper owners, they will get a refund, but does not say if you get to keep the bumper. I am bummed.
Unavailable for me... Smallish city, no Apple store, and 1 AT&T store that does not have them any more...
Called around again to the ATT stores - found a sales rep that says they have some, so maybe the first person was just keeping them for friends? I will be there first thing in the AM to hopefully snag one. This guy tells me that they are actually pretty bulky though, and I am looking at them mostly for having something thin so that I can put in in my case that hooks on my belt / pants - So, I may still be looking at the Apple cases - perhaps there will be something very thin / small for sale. The Zagg have that invisible skin stuff - I have never seen it, but I just can't imagine that it would hold up to constantly being dragged in and out of a case... Guess I will see what the ATT store has tomorrow.
If you have it applied perfectly then it should fit fine in a bumper case. Don't even think about putting it inside of a hardshell case. I tried inserting mine into an iFrogz case and it completely tore apart my shield. For belt case then I still have this old 3G iPhone case that fits into my iPhone 4 perfectly http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/leather-folio-es89018 If you combine this with the Wrapsol Ultra (the Zagg body shields don't cover the sides) Then you should have decent protection.
Thanks Deewin. I am not so worried about protection, more just want the damn antenna to work properly. The new software update does nothing for me, problem with the bars and reception remain the same.
http://www.wrapsol.com/en_US/Home+Page/Products/iphone+_+mobile/apple/iPhone+4.aspx I did some research on screen protectors a couple of weeks ago and it looks like it does address the issue according to some Wrapsol owners posting on forums since it's covering up the antenna.
This was just a press conference about the antenna issue. You won't see the new iPods 'til September.
