Report: Steve Jobs Knew about iPhone Antenna Problem during Design Phase

Topics: In The News

As Apple prepares to deal directly with the negative buzz over iPhone 4 antenna problems in a press conference Friday, Bloomberg is reporting that Ruben Caballero, an Apple antenna expert, told company management early in the development phase that the iPhone 4 could suffer dropped calls due to the design of the antenna. The report also noted that a "carrier partner" voiced similar concerns prior to the release of the phone on June 24. Apple declined to comment.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs

Consumer Reports gave a thumbs down to the iPhone 4 on Monday, noting lingering reception problems and challenging Apple's official explanation--a software glitch that showed incorrect reception strength--for the problem.

Consumer Reports subsequently reported a $29 cover, dubbed Bumper, solves the signal-strength problem. A piece of duct tape offers a similar fix.

iPhone 4 users are waiting to hear on Friday whether Apple will offer its own solution to the problem, rather than users spending their own money and time to cobble together a solution to a problem that Apple created, and perhaps knew about as it launched the coveted smartphone to great fanfare.

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by mtcolquitt July 16, 2010 8:06 AM EDT: They lose all creditability when they hipe up their product and then produce a faulty product knowing these problems exist. Thank goodness I'm not a gotta-have-the-newest-product person.
Sound like Jobs has a job to do. Refund please!; Reply to this comment


by MalloryDavis July 16, 2010 6:43 AM EDT: Sometimes a little spittle works too.; Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 July 16, 2010 2:18 AM EDT: The designers couldn't come up with a way to solve that problem in a reasonable manner? Did Jobs tell them to ignore the antenna problem or did they ignore it on their own?? It's weird to sell a hand-held device that doesn't work when you hold it in your hand.; Reply to this comment


by lwosborne July 15, 2010 7:34 PM EDT: Lawd Lawd ppl.. give jobs a break.. I bet he has lost more sleep over this then we have..After all he has to face the public tomorrow:) just return you phone like I did and wait till there is a fix!

BTY.. The new update is out, so hook ya phone's up, open itune's and click update... my old 32g 3GS is working fine. While I'm flapping my mouth here, let me add to all of you that are trashing AT&T, they did give me my upgrade money back, restocking fee and a Microcell. Now I will admit the Microcell didn't help with the iphone 4 but I do live in a bad signal area and its gave my full 5 bars on my 3GS.. I bet Verizon wouldn't have just gave me one like that.. so Chill ppl have a glass of tea and wait.. Remember all good things come to tho's who wait.; Reply to this comment


by voxpopulus July 15, 2010 6:06 PM EDT: Duct tape - the latest fashion accessory; Reply to this comment


by Jim1900 July 15, 2010 4:49 PM EDT: Duct tape solves most problems.; Reply to this comment


by stinger1z July 15, 2010 3:56 PM EDT: You can talk, ignore your friends, stalk you ex, download porn on a crowded bus, and even check your email while getting hit by a train. I can I download it to my Iphone for an additional fee? Hell yes!!; Reply to this comment