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Free cases for everyone …. till end of September

The outcome of the conference was that Apple will be giving away free bumper cases. With the bumper case, people will not be able to touch the bottom left part of the phone which causes the drop in signal. This is a bit of a crude workaround. Its a design flaw with the phone and this was proved by Consumer Reports shortly before the conference. They proved just “holding it wrong” that the signal can drop on the phone. I did’t expect their to be a recall. Recalls are only normally if its something dangerous and the phone isn’t exploding so that was unlikely. Another reason of course is the cost it would have cost Apple. Also, if there was a recall it would have properly taken a few weeks for people to get their phone back. Phones are essentially to people nowadays so being without their phone for a few days would be bad never mind a few weeks.

Software issue

Apple’s earlier excuse that it was a software issue was a loud of rubbish. They claimed that the formula used to calculate the signal strength was wrong and that it could be reported the signal strength 2 bars stronger than it really was. Apparently the formula used was being used in all previous versions of the iPhone – strange how its only noticed now!!

Its not just Apple…..

Jobs also said that ALL phones suffer from a drop in signal strength if you block the antenna and hold it wrong. He then proved it with a few phones. I have not seen how he held it but it is strange how it is only when the iPhone 4 is out that people notice signal strength problems. So many phones have been out in the past and no major issues. RIM, HTC and Nokia have “blasted back” at Apple saying they don’t have issues with their phones and the signal. One of the phones he demoed losing the signal was the HTC Droid and how it lost signal if you blocked/touched antenna. Difference is the antenna is at the top of the phone – not the normal place you hold it when you use the phone! In PC World’s words, “Apple’s iPhone Defense Is Total Nonsense”.

Did Steve Jobs know about the problem??

Soon after the conference it was revealed that a senior engineer told Steve Jobs the iPhone 4 could suffer from antenna and signal problems. Did Jobs just ignore it?? Is that why Apple started doing their own cases – did they know this would happen??

Could this be the start of a “end” for Apple. I don’t mean they will be no more but will this iPhone 4 mess still a slowdown in its comparatively recent growth?? Is Apple losing its touch?? We will see….

Steve Jobs has said that the iPhone 4 is the most successful Apple product in its history and that means its a “success”. It may have sold tons but thats because of the success and satisfaction with previous iPhones and the whole “Apple fanboy/girl” thing” and how they just buy Apple products because its Apple and just because its an iPhone. Here is an example of a video I found amusing showing a “typical Apple iPhone fan” just wanting a iPhone because its an iPhone.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not one of those people who just doesnt buy Apple products because its Apple. I don’t like how you can’t just install software you want on iPhone – it has to be through iTunes. I don’t like how its all so expensive. However, they do make nice products and I have an iPhone 3GS which I love.

When I heard about the iPhone 4 months ago I was looking forward to it, working out when my contract ended etc. Maybe I should even pay the cancellation fee to get it ASAP. However, I will now be waiting to see what happens. Maybe even for the iPhone 5. (Or maybe by then a HTC phone??).

(Apple have a $100m Antenna Design and Testing Lab – maybe they should ask for some money back!)

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However, the width of the text in the articles is not right. Looking at the screenshot here the text isnt using the full width of the page?? I assume it will be fixed. Also, it will be interesting to see what they do with the videos on the news article pages – will they make them wider?? Whats with the gap on the right of the vid??? (See other screenshot).

Overall though I like the new web site. The BBC News site is one of my favourite sites and I visit it everyday so I hope they fix the minor issues.

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He looked quick and it was. He beat The Stig’s time by 0.1 seconds. . Off the top of my head his time was 1:44.1. All the F1 drivers have been very close (Button, Mansell, Hamilton, Webber – his time was done in the wet)and the most impressive is still properly Lewis Hamilton with a time I think of 1:44.7 but it was in the wet. I am happy Rubens is the fastest – a top bloke!

The big, huge problem is the problem with the signal/reception. What seems clear is that when you cover/bridge the left metal corner around the black strip, the signal drops drastically and sometimes drops out completely and no calls can be made or calls are dropped. Also, the performance of the wifi apparently drops.

Originally Apple ignored the problem but now have issued a statement:

“Some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.”

They then go into La La land and say:

“Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars.”

This does not explain why some people who have had full signal on other phones/previous iPhones, lose the signal completely when using the “death grip” on the phone!??!  Also, they don’t explain why holding the iPhone 4 in that position causes the problem. Apple’s statement doesnt mention Steve Job’s arrogant reply when first hearing about the problem and to “don’t hold it that way” (although properly didn’t expect to).

I am glad I didn’t pay extra to get the iPhone 4 straight away. They need to sort this problem out!! If they don’t I may wait for the “iPhone 5″.

More info -

The Next Web – Apple’s Apology Misses The Mark

You can read the full statement here

When the first group of ppl went past I thought it was some big hen do but quickly realised that it wasn’t!!

Took about 10 minutes for everyone to walk past.

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One other thing many football fans will remember is years ago he reveals in his autobiography that he almost crashed his car because he was only being offer £55,000 a week by Arsenal.

Today is was revealed that he “hates England and the f****** people”. He announced this on his Blackberry and his status. He can pi*s off then and get lost!! This news broke after photos showed him (and Ledley King) joking and laughing as they returned to England. A day after being embarassingly knocked out of the World Cup, you would think you wouldnt be laughing and joking about like that. I dont expect them not to smile and get on with their live but it seems odd to seem so happy just as they land back in England.

More pace

In particular the 1st half we played with pace and kept the ball. Much more like a Premier League game. There was a bit of a dip in the 2nd half but miles better than previous 2 games especially the game V Algeria.

Rooney still not looking 100% but getting there. Milner was my man of the match and put in some brilliant “Beckham-esqe” crosses. David James didnt really have a save but what he did was excellent. There were some scary moments near the end but the defence did well. Glen Johnson, Upson (with a match winning tackle) and Terry blocking the ball couple times – he even through himself head first to block a shot. He may be an idiot etc but on the field John Terry gives everything.

When the lineup was shown before the match the BBC thought it would be Gerrard behind Rooney. It ended up being Gerrard still on the left with Defoe upfront with Rooney. Gerrard played better and there was more balance as he actually stayed (most of the time) on the left.

Barry was poor though giving the ball away and lacking pace. A couple times he lost the ball which almost resulted in goals.

Who will play against Germany?

Will be interesting to see what Fabio does against Germany. Will he stick to his favoured 442? Will Defoe start (before the goal he hardly touched the ball)?? Will he let them have a beer on Saturday?? (He revealed that night before match the players were allowed beer – didnt say how many. Maybe this is the secret for the England team. Have a beer and it makes everyone more relaxed!!).

It was good to see the emotion and passion from Fabio on the bench during the match. Great to see after Sven!! He was clearly very happy at end of the match and the interview with Gaby Logan on BBC after match was great. He was just so excited!!

England now play Germany on Sunday in the 2nd round. This is because USA won the group thanks to a Landon Donovan injury time goal. Our possible route to final is Germany, Argentina, Spain. Anyway, one game at a time!!