You wanted a demonstration? You got a demonstration; we've put together a video to show how the
iPhone 4 antenna issue is
not simply a result of
Apple's miscalculation of how many bars are being displayed. Our own
Erica Sadun wrote an iPhone app (at the suggestion of
Engadget's Nilay Patel) to display the raw signal strength, the number of bars, and what Apple calls the graded signal strength. Erica's tests (see video above) show that the "Kung Fu grip of doom" results in the signal strength dropping to almost zero. According to Erica, removing her hand from the antenna gap brings the signal strength back to normal.
The
Apple iPhone Bumper provides a cushion, but Erica's tests show that the death grip (otherwise known as holding the iPhone 4 normally in your hand, as shown in Apple's
promotional video) can kill signal integrity even with the bumper installed, depending on the signal strength in your area. Marginal signal areas are affected most by antenna signal attenuation. Users in areas with strong reception will not see the same results.
It looks like Apple needs to 'fess up on this issue, and soon.
NBC's Today Show brought up the antenna problem this morning, continuing to publicize the issue to a nationwide audience. They also cited the wave of YouTube videos from irate owners showing the grip issue. You can view the Today Show clip by clicking the Read More link at the bottom of this post.
Continue reading “Video evidence of the iPhone 4 death grip -- this time with real numbers”