During the conference dedicated to the iPhone 4 problems last Friday, Steve Jobs compared the iPhone 4 with other models from competitors.
In summary, all mobile phones have a decrease in reception as soon as you hold them in your hands (but the iPhone is the only one to be affected by just touching it with your finger).
Nokia and RIM returned fire to Apple and Steve Jobs comments:
- Nokia: Antenna design is a complex subject and has been a core competence at Nokia for decades, across hundreds of phone models. Nokia was the pioneer in internal antennas; the Nokia 8810, launched in 1998, was the first commercial phone with this feature. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying human behavior, including how people hold their phones for calls, music playing, web browsing and so on. As you would expect from a company focused on connecting people, we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict. In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That’s why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design.
- RIM: Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, 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. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.
Let's make it clear, we are sick of this story and we will avoid publishing additional news about it. Apple has defined its strategy and will most likely not change it till a successful class action is completed against the company. On the other side, competitors and some news network will work hard to ensure that this story remains on top of the news for weeks, as long as possible.
We are sure that the iPhone 5 will have a completely different design for its antenna, internal or external; but Steve jobs will most likely heavily comment on it and everybody will applause and be pleased...
