Followers of this blog are well aware of the problems with dropped calls customers have had on the new iPhone 4.  The source of the reception issues has been attributed to the “death grip,” which occurs when the user’s skin comes into direct contact with the lower side of the iPhone.  To fix the problem, Apple CEO Steve Jobs made the decision to distribute free rubberized bumpers that protect the iPhone 4’s sensitive antenna.

We also recently reported on Jobs’ assertion that the reception issues are common to all smartphones.  He specifically singled out the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II.  RIM, HTC, and Samsung all defended their products and shot back at Jobs for unfairly dragging them into the iPhone 4 drama.  Apple then chose an interesting way to respond to that criticism by attacking Motorola.  On its own website as well as Youtube, Apple posted videos of the Motorola Droid X dropping bars when held in its own version of the death grip.

As one might imagine, Motorola quickly defended the Droid X.  The company then took things one step further today by taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times just to make fun of Apple’s antenna issues and rubberized bumper solution.  Titled “No Jacket Required,” the ad proclaims, “At Motorola, we believe a customer shouldn’t have to dress up their phone for it to work properly.  That’s why the Droid X comes with a dual antenna design, the kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like to make crystal clear calls without a bulky phone jacket.”

Surely Apple anticipated this sort of backlash when it attacked Motorola.  If so, it makes one wonder if perhaps Apple believes it’s better to have bad press than no press at all.  Future smartphone sales statistics should reveal the accuracy of this sentiment.  Stay tuned as we continue to follow all the latest iPhone 4 drama.

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Those having reception problems with the iPhone 4 are going to have to wait another 3 to 5 weeks to claim their free bumper. Last week Apple announced it will distribute the bumpers in response to the public outcry over the latest iPhone’s faulty antenna design. The bumpers fix the problem by placing a barrier between the antenna and your hand, but to purchase one immediately costs $29. (If you can’t wait 3-5 weeks for a new bumper, or if you don’t want to dish out $29 to get one right away, visit www.discountcell.com and purchase a bumper for just $7.95. Available colors include black, clear, dark blue, dark pink, and red.)

Another question iPhone 4 owners have had is how to go about ordering the free bumper. The simplest way to order is by downloading the “iPhone 4 Case Program” directly onto your phone via iTunes. Opening the app and filling out the necessary information is fairly self-explanatory. Note that those who purchased their iPhone between its original release and today (July 23) have until August 22 to claim their free bumper. Those who purchase an iPhone 4 between tomorrow and September 30 have 30 days from the date of purchase to claim a bumper. The free program is discontinued after September 30.

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Last Friday we reported on Steve Jobs’ press conference regarding the well-publicized mobile reception problems some owners have had with the iPhone 4. At issue is the phone’s antenna, which is built directly onto the side of the phone. When held a certain way, the user’s hand blocks the antenna, thus leading to dropped calls. This phenomenon has been dubbed the “death grip.”

When reports of the death grip first surfaced, Jobs suggested users simply hold the phone differently. This proposed solution, however, only added fuel to the controversy. So at Friday’s press conference Jobs said that Apple will now provide free rubber bumpers between now and September 30 to anyone who already purchased an iPhone 4. Placing the bumper over the side of the phone virtually eliminates the antenna problem.

As part of his presentation, Jobs defended the new iPhone’s reception troubles by pointing a finger at non-Apple smartphones and declaring that they too suffer from the death grip. But this isn’t necessarily the fault of his competitors, just like it’s not the fault of Apple, according to Jobs. In fact, he blames the antenna issues on nature. “We haven’t figured out a way around the laws of physics yet,” Jobs declared. He then listed off the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II smartphones as having similar reception problems. In essence, Jobs argues that the death grip and reception issues are common to all smartphones.

As one might imagine, RIM, HTC, and Samsung aren’t too please with the accusations from Jobs. All three companies have released statements defending their phone designs while blasting Apple. Here is what representatives from each company have said regarding Jobs’ accusation:

RIM Co-CEO’s Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie: “RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity.” (Source: www.crackberry.com)

HTC CFO Hui-Meng Cheng: “The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones. [Apple] apparently didn’t give operators enough time to test the phone.” (Source: Wall Street Journal)

Samsung spokesperson Shin Young-joon: “The antenna is located at the bottom of the Omnia 2 phone, while iPhone’s antenna is on the lower left side of the device. Our design keeps the distance between a hand and an antenna. We have fully conducted field tests before the rollout of smartphones. Reception problems have not happened so far, and there is no room for such problems to happen in the future.” (Source: Korea Herald).

Apparently the blame game isn’t working quite as well as Jobs hoped it would.  Stay tuned for developments on this story and other iPhone news.

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Steve Jobs has finally caved in and agreed to issue free rubberized protective cases to all iPhone 4 customers. At a highly anticipated press conference this morning, Jobs touted the iPhone 4 as the “best smartphone in the world,” while at the same time declaring that the media greatly exaggerated the phone’s antenna problems. As proof of the media hype, Jobs demonstrated similar reception problems found in the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II smartphones. He dismissed the antenna problem further by pointing out that only 0.55% of iPhone 4 owners have called Apple to complain about reception issues.

According to Jobs, antenna troubles are a simple matter of physics. He promised the problems will be fixed by the rubberized cases and by downloading a software update aimed at fixing the way the phone calculates reception. The free cases are normally sold for $29, but most estimates suggest that the production costs per case total approximately $1. Customers have until September 30 to pickup their free cases, or they may return their phones for a full refund. Those who have already purchased one of the $29 cases will also be refunded.

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