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Woz having reception problems, too

by Mike Schramm Jul 15th 2010 at 4:00PM

For all of his exceptional qualities, part of Woz' popularity these days lies in the fact that he is really the prototypical Apple fan -- he stands in line like everyone else, he postulates about Steve Jobs' condition, and he loves the products just as much as we do. So when even Woz admits to having reception issues with his iPhone 4, then you know it's a real problem. In an interview with a Dutch journalist, Woz says that he's been experimenting with the death grip and reception along with the rest of us. "I concluded that the effect only occurs in some places," he says, "It's like the AT&T dead zone has been extended with this new phone."

Of course, unlike most of us, Woz usually always carries a backup phone or, you know, three. And even though he's experiencing the dropouts and the issues, he's still impressed enough with the hardware that the device in general "is worth the care in holding it."

Still, Woz is the prototype for most of us Apple fans, and if even he is having the same issues that we all are, it must be time to hold a press conference. I'm sure Woz will be waiting and watching along with the rest of us tomorrow morning.

[via TechCrunch]

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For all of his exceptional qualities, part of Woz' popularity these days lies in the fact that he is really the prototypical Apple fan --...
 

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nickux

Kind of surprised to hear Woz say that considering his passion for great engineering. The iPhone is a great design but the antenna issues are clearly the result of some engineering oversights.

July 15 2010 at 10:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Berklie

Are we done with "Woz" yet? Who cares what the hell he's up to?! Has he done anything relevant to Apple in the last 20 years?! Seriously, can the world stop with "Woz" starting right... now?

I don't see Babbage being brought up ad nauseam whenever a new computer concept is released.

Man.

July 15 2010 at 8:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Berklie's comment
David Huff

Bad-tempered grouching about one of the nicest guys in the industry, as well as one of the founders of the personal computer revolution, isn't going to win you any points. Especially on an Apple-oriented site.

If you don't like an article, don't read it. You'll save yourself, and the rest of us, a great deal of irritation.

July 16 2010 at 9:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Berklie

"One of the nicest guys in the industry." Great! Join his Facebook page and follow his every step, if you like.

Being "nice" doesn't mean that he's relevant every time Apple releases a new product. I'm not looking for points on TUAW, David. I'm looking for Apple news (of which, "Woz" is no longer a part).

If you don't like a comment, don't read it. Right back at you...

July 16 2010 at 9:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
macserv

If the antenna issue was addressed in later production runs, then he screwed himself by "stand[ing] in line like everyone else."

July 15 2010 at 8:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TheCastro

Does he still talk to Jobs? How much stock does Woz still have in Apple?

July 15 2010 at 7:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cogitoergomac

I believe Woz drives a Prius as well, and. claimed he experienced the unintended acceleration problem.

July 15 2010 at 7:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Neil

The "death grip" is a weird one for me really. It happens when I'm in my house, but if I'm in work which is like 10 minutes away it doesn't happen whatsoever. For me it really is down to where I am at the time.

July 15 2010 at 5:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Quix

Here's the deal: "experimenting with the death grip and reception" and "having reception problems too" are two entirely different things.

Am I having reception problems with my iPhone 4? None whatsoever.

Could I "experiment with the death grip" and make the phone lose signal if I hold it in an ape-like grip of rage? Possibly.

Are there people having problems without trying to cause them? Sure. Are anything but a small minority? I doubt it. Most of this "problem" is only a perception problem as people are being *told* they have a flawed device.

This "issue" has been so overblown by the media it's hilarious.

July 15 2010 at 4:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Quix's comment
Yuusharo

If it required an ape-like grip like you said to replicate the issue, perhaps I'd agree with you. However, I held a friend's iPhone 4 in my left hand the exact same way I do every day using my 3GS to surf the web, and it didn't take more than a minute before I got the dreaded "Cannot connect to cell tower" message. The simple truth is - if I'm standing in the exact same spot, holding two phones the exact same way, and one works while the other one doesn't... that's a problem.

Should people be ranting and screaming about it? Probably not. It's just a phone, after all. But if a solution already exists that Apple makes and it actually fixes the reception problem for those who are affected, tell me how hard is it for Apple to simply do the right thing and make good with their customers by giving them a free piece of rubber, something that should have come with the phone in the first place.

July 15 2010 at 6:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
frank

one of the many things about Woz is that he's so sensible and even-handed. considering he's literally apple employee #1, it's amazing he's not as frothy as the fans he helped create.

July 15 2010 at 4:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
owenmhv

Nope, clearly he's holding the phone wrong, look at the picture, its in his hand

July 15 2010 at 4:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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