Consumer Reports finally got around to identifying a problem with the antenna on iPhone 4 after two previous posts that openly gushed over Apple's new device with sincere childlike wonder. The news flash arrived in a post entitled "Lab tests: Why Consumer Reports can't recommend the iPhone 4"
In a shocking new video released on Monday, Mike Gikas from Consumer Reports, noted that the wildly popular publication "can't recommend the iPhone 4".
"When your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone's lower left side—an easy thing, especially for lefties—the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your connection altogether if you're in an area with a weak signal."
The latest CS revelation comes after lab testing three iPhone 4 devices in a controlled environment. The problem with this awkward timing is that over 1.7 million people had already bought into the new iPhone 4 which Consumer Reports praised in two separate reviews.
Keep in mind that Consumer Reports insists they did not previously recommend iPhone 4, as lined out in a statement issued by Paul Reynolds. "We recommend products only after all tests are complete." - CS Although iPhone 4 received a CS 76 out of 100 rating.
I'll let you be the judge. Imagine you're drooling with wild anticipation to purchase a shiny new iPhone 4, even after hearing about reception issues with the antenna. Then you read "iPhone 4's supposed signal woes aren’t unique, and may not be serious" from CS on July 3rd, 2010.
"There's no reason, at least yet, to forgo buying an iPhone 4 over its reception concerns. And even if those do materialize, Apple's Steve Jobs helpfully reminds new iPhone buyers that "you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund." - Mike Gikas CS
That confident non-recommendation came one day after Apple unleashed an official statement claiming that their wonky iPhone 4 reception issue required a simple software fix. Apple also insisted that improper iPhone 4 gripping practices by users should be avoided.
Ten days earlier Consumer Reports gushed over iPhone 4 with glowing exuberance in a post entitled "First Look: The iPhone 4 exceeds even its high expectations"
"Based on the first few hours of using this fourth-generation Apple smart phone, it’s the best iPhone yet."
"So should you consider buying this iPhone? If you’ve been an iPhone watcher from the sidelines, waiting to jump in, your patience has arguably been rewarded by this new version. But if you already have the last-generation iPhone, you can get a lot of the same functionality by just upgrading the software to the new iOS 4, which is free." - Mike Gikas CS
I'm guessing that the first CS non-recommendation, along with the second convincing non-recommendation posted on July 3rd, probably influenced a few iPhone 4 droolers to take the $200 leap of faith.
Meanwhile, back on launch day, the guys over at Insanely Great Mac, already had their wonky iPhone 4 replaced in the same day. They even recorded a video showing side-by-side tests offering some pretty compelling evidence that iPhone 4 had an antenna reception issue when compared to iPhone 3GS. The video was also based on the first few hours of using this fourth-generation Apple smart phone.
"We went through many hoops and we're getting a new phone. It appears Apple is treating this as a hardware issue. They requested to "capture" our device to figure out what's going on." - IGM wrote on June 24th.
A hardware issue? Did IGM spew out that lunacy on iPhone 4 launch day? Really? It's painfully obvious to me that Consumer Reports was extremely late to the iPhone 4 testing game that ultimately led to confirming an Apple iPhone 4 design defect. Eighteen days after launch.
But don't call this final chapter in the Consumer Reports iPhone 4 review trilogy strategically timed sensationalism. It simply proves that the third time's a charm.
I'm sure Apple is already working on a proper hardware fix before they ultimately release the White version iPhone 4. Or are they?
Note: iPhone 4 signal testing videos are performed by professionals do not attempt this at home.
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