Image is everything. And that's why Apple must terminate the iPhone 4 as quickly as possible.
In his Friday morning news conference, Apple CEO Steve Jobs admitted the iPhone 4 is flawed, no doubt a painful admission for a proud man known for his perfectionist ways. He even offered free cases to alleviate the signal and reception problems plaguing some iPhone 4 users.
Jobs went to great lengths to defend the iPhone 4, arguing that the antenna glitch was overblown, and claiming that phones from other manufacturers suffer from the same problem. He also presented statistics to bolster his case: A measly 0.55 percent of iPhone users have contacted Apple support to report antenna or reception woes.
But none of that matters. The iPhone 4 is now tainted in the consumer's eyes. It's no longer a triumph of form and function, but rather a crippled device that requires protective headgear to work properly.
We could debate the merits of the iPhone 4's antenna design all day, but that's beside the point. Perception is reality here, and the public now views Apple's latest offering as The Phone That Drops Calls. And no one can blame AT&T this time either.
I'm not suggesting that Apple completely redesign the iPhone 4, which has gotten rave views for its high-resolution display and other new features. But the company must redesign the phone's antenna to eliminate the Grip of Death problem once and for all. A few minor cosmetic changes might be in order as well, if only to distinguish the new model from its dishonored predecessor.
Then, hopefully after rigorous beta testing, Apple will rename the phone and release it to an adoring public. Well, maybe not as adoring as before. There's bound to be more (healthy) consumer skepticism and less fawning next time around.
Apple needs to act now. Rather than follow its annual upgrade cycle for the iPhone - a relatively leisurely pace in the mobile phone world - it must deliver a new model ASAP.
Again, the iPhone 4 has lost its cachet. It's no longer the coolest gadget in town. People won't swoon over your new iPhone, they'll ask if you're having signal problems.
And, hey, how's that new bumper thing working out for ya?
Yikes. It's enough to force a mass migration to Motorola's new and very popular Droid X.
So, Apple, kill the iPhone 4! Remove all traces of it from the Apple Store. Indeed, drive a stake through its call-dropping heart.
Comments
authors an idiot said: WOW another author of a biased news article that is obviously a Verizon customer and is upset that he CANNOT get the iPhone so they try to bash it nice man nice
authors an idiot said: WOW another author of a biased news article that is obviously a Verizon customer and is upset that he CANNOT get the iPhone so they try to bash it nice man nice
Raymond said: I have an LG phone with Verizon as my carrier and I occasionally get dropped calls I would like to see more specific comparison to Apples drop percentage compared to other phones I mean all phones drop calls Also take into account the usefulness of apps and the superior capability of I phones My needs are simple so I stick with what I have but If I had the money I would like an I phone
Confused said: Ok I have had an iPhone 4 for weeks now Not a single reception problem Actually my experience with this phone was amazing Its a truly incredible phone- I doubt the writer is going by anything other than the news that goes around I know Steve Jobs has to defend his product but I also know ive experienced this product and also find the news confusingly overblown I know a few guys with the new phone and they also havent has issues The point is- what you hear is often a few voices magnified by others who have no idea If you get this phoneyou wont regret it
raggedy said: Lets be honest here the iPhone has been a triumph of style and hype over substance I use an aging HTC S730 and I didnt buy the 1st iPhone cos it couldnt do what my HTC could open more than one application If Microsoft had released a phone that took FOUR maybe 5 versions to get it right they wouldve been slated But Apple is cool right And very expensive -
Chris said: for all you apple sheep the fact steve jobs called a press conference to admit there is a problem is a massive admission of the problemhe trys to fob you off by saying only a small amount of people complained and blame other companiesopen your eyes he has no respect for lot and knows you will keep making him richer remember to buy yourselves out of your contract in 12 months when iphone 5 comes out
m4rk said: the software is the problem it has slowed my 3gs down in performance and it loses signal strenght when connecting to tinteret
Phil said: Jobs had it right all along hold it differently Got a camera Dont put your finger over the camera lens over the flash or over the viewfinder Learn to use it properly
Boglet said: I saw the comments by Mr Jobs over the weekend - does he really expect us all to believe that all smartphones suffer from the same problem as the iPhone 4I have an HTC Desire and it certainly does NOT suffer the same problem A far better phone imho than the iPhone
Boglet said: I saw the comments by Mr Jobs over the weekend - does he really expect us all to believe that all smartphones suffer from the same problem as the iPhone 4I have an HTC Desire and it certainly does NOT suffer the same problem A far better phone imho than the iPhone
adman13 said: wow coming form you Ia m shocked that that you have not included ipad and ipod but the way using your logic Microsoft Vista must have totally put Microsoft Operating systems to pasture and 6 feet below
james said: While I tend to agree with your assessment of the nonproblem you all seem way too touchy about criticism of a phoneThats one of the things that puts people off apple not just jealousy - its just a phonemp3 playercomputer whats with all the hype and associated price
mediaeffect said: The thing with the iphonee4 and all this mess about it which has led people to go nuts is just another example on the power of media and how it brain washes your minds people
slappy said: The silliest FUD driven article yet
L_J said: If You Dont Want an iPhone 4 Dont Buy ItIf You Bought it and You Dont Like It Bring it back
WM said: Jeff - youre kidding right
WM said: Jeff - youre kidding right
Georges said: You know a lot of people dont have the issue Some use bumpers The issue is plaguing some people as you mentioned it If you are one of them take it backFor me the market is saturated with Iphonelook alike When it comes to usability the Iphone 4 still beat them all despite the reception problem Thats why I wont be changing The media love beating on Apple now despite the fact that they working their ass off to make a look alike and I dont to tell you why -
Brian said: What a bunch of whiny losers iPhone 4 is awesome there is nothing wrong with it You admit this when you talk of perception over reality You mean lies over the truth Im not buying your lies neither is anyone else
arw said: I dont own an iPhone 4 but am sure that everyone whining about the antenna is utterly nuts I havent seen a cellphone yet that would not drop a call Is the iPhone 4 the best iPhone yet Sure Is the iPhone 4 the best smartphone yet Sure Could the iPhone 4 be better yet Sure Could Apple have handled the debacle better Sure The fact is Apple made a design decison based on millions of dollars worth of research a tradeoff that gives better reception the majority of time for a slight increase in dropped calls but only if held a certain way Thats nothing to scream bloody murder about But you can rest assured that Apple will design the nearly perfect antenna with iPhone 5 not wanting to be bitten twice Until then if you dont like your iPhone 4 return it and buy an Android or whatever is the flavor of the week Youll be buying another phone in the next year or two anyhow