Just Duke - Mostly Tech Ponderings

There is suddenly an anger directed toward Apple involving it's new Antenna technology found in it's iPhone 4. Many have complained since the day it became available. On July 2nd, Apple released a statement basically claiming that it's calculations for showing signal within the bars was wrong and they were adjusting. Apple went on to say that users shouldn't hold the phone too tight, and the best way to prevent it, would be to spend more money buying a $29  Apple case! This pretty much angered users, and did nothing to satisfy those millions of customers, many of whom stood in lines all night for the honor (bragging rights?) of being one of the first to own this new whiz-bang Apple wonder.

  Yesterday, Consumer Reports released their conclusion and what they had to say was not very forgiving. Their bottom line:

". . . . .while the iPhone 4 has the "sharpest display and best video camera of any phone we have tested, we simply can't recommend the device until Apple comes up with a permanent and free fix to the antenna problem."

Engadget is reporting that they too have confirmed Consumer Reports findings in their own tests. So far, Apple doesn't look to be admitting any wrong-doing. Then again, Toyota released a statement early on in their recent debacles stating that there wasn't a problem with cars accelerating out of control either. So what do I think Apple needs to do?

The first thing is to admit that iPhone 4 is flawed! And then promise to make it right! Then,  make it right! What about the cost? One Analyst said, would cost 1.5 Billion to recall all the new iPhones. I say, do it! A cheaper solution would be to offer Apple's $29 case free with each purchase! The truth is, these cases don't cost a dollar to produce anyway! The way I see it, at this point, it's not the fact that the iPhone4 is flawed that is the problem. It's Apple's snobbish denial, or flat out ignoring of the issue that is the larger problem. Believe me, until Apple comes clean, this is not going away!

But this brings to light what I see as a larger problem. Apple is a snobbish company! Don't get me wrong, as this attitude has worked well for them to this point. Users have been more than happy to pay more for that Apple logo for a long time, when hardware-wise, it wasn't up to snuff to competitor offerings! One reason? Apple Computers have proven themselves to be a very reliable product!  I watched Jobs introduce a mediocre iPhone in 2007, that at the time only offered a very intuitive interface, and basically the same features that were found on my aging Palm Treo. But the way he hyped it, you would have thought he invented the cell phone! And to his credit, he has backed it up with an App store that is the envy of the smartphone world. He unveiled the Macbook Air a little later! Let's not forget the iPod that really started it all! To this point, Apple could afford to be a Snobbish Company! But right now, at this very moment, they need to swallow that pride, and kiss some customer tail!

The truth is, that all smartphones are flawed! My Palm Treo crashed for no apparant reason! Windows Mobile phones would freeze with no rhyme or reason! My Nexus One has an AMOLED screen that is beautiful indoors, yet I can't see jack on that screen in sunlight!  Mobile Technology depends upon many elements to do the things that they do! Some features don't always work. Apple has tried very hard to control the end user experience to ensure that iPhone is always a positive experience.At this point, no one knows why this happened! But beyond any reason of doubt, it happened!  And Apple could do itself a big favor by eating that crow right now, because it's not going to taste any better months from now. Apple continues to innovate! The new Antenna technology is just another reminder of the risks that come with innovation. But let's not forget about the rewards that come also. If you need an example of that, look at Apple pre-iPod as a company, and look at them today. But in this guy's opinon, if Apple doesn't step up, admit that this is a problem and fix it, there could be a real public backlash, like the company has never experienced.

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