iPhone Consumer Reports doesn't recommend iPhone 4

scottjl · 07-12-2010, 12:45 PM

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...twork-gsm.html

ouch. that has to hurt apple a little bit.

the picture with the duct tape sure is a laugh. bet jobs is none to happy.

kjk · 07-12-2010, 12:49 PM

Makes you wonder why they rather dismissed the issue earlier, before actually testing it.

scottjl · 07-12-2010, 12:59 PM

well i've never had much faith in CR to begin with. a few times over the past few decades their reviews have been questioned. apparently that rubber stamp bit them in the ass again. but i know a lot of non-tech people who swear by CR's seal of approval, or word of warning. having CR flag you as "not recommended" is certainly not going to help apple in the long run, and not make this issue disappear as easily as apple hopes it would. their whole handling of this issue has been a botched mess.

Bremen Cole · 07-12-2010, 02:02 PM

I am not a fan of CR, really don't pay much attention to what they recommend or not.... But as Scott said, this has to hurt Apple. Just the stigma is enough to sting......

vaughnmr · 07-12-2010, 02:12 PM

News Flash!

There is a problem with the antenna.

scottjl · 07-12-2010, 02:19 PM

the point of this thread isn't that the antenna has a problem. we already knew that. it's that CR did an about face in their review, which happens, but is rare, and the effect it's going to have on iPhone sales.

vaughnmr · 07-12-2010, 02:53 PM

I don't think they really did an about face, they were initially in love, like just about everyone else was. After scientific testing, though, they had to change the review.

Engadget has independently confirmed antenna problems with testing:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/c...ems-and-so-do/

Yoshi 1080 · 07-12-2010, 02:59 PM

I think it’s pathetic of them to deny any antenna problems at first and even criticizing anyone else (in their blog) and then turning around 180°. Either make an educated comment or STFU, Consumer Reports!

vaughnmr · 07-12-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoshi 1080

I think it’s pathetic of them to deny any antenna problems at first and even criticizing anyone else (in their blog) and then turning around 180°. Either make an educated comment or STFU, Consumer Reports!

And I think it's pathetic of Apple to deny any antenna problems at first and even criticizing anyone else, and then turning around 180 deg. with a "software problem".

I won't comment on the second statement you made, no matter how easy it would be...

Maggie Leung · 07-12-2010, 04:42 PM

I'm not a big user of Consumer Reports. It seems to me, though, that its review wouldn't stop me from buying the phone even if I were a CS fan. It's basically saying, hey, nice phone with one big flaw that can be corrected with a case (which most people use on their iPhones anyway).

I think Apple's handling of the antenna problem has been arrogant and insulting toward customers, however. Apple clearly screwed up with the hardware, dismissed valid complaints and is now profiting by selling bumpers. At the very least, it should've acknowledged the problem immediately and offered every buyer a free bumper.

At this point, my two-generations-old iPhone works well enough, so I'm not upgrading. If I were to upgrade, Apple's handling of the problem would make me seriously consider competitors' phones.

VictoriaP · 07-12-2010, 05:56 PM

The plus to this, as an iPhone 4 owner, is that it's another lever to get Apple to fix the problem in a real fashion--not just bandaid it with a smoke-and-mirrors "signal display issue" update.

Mine's in a bumper in a strong signal area, so for me so far, it's a non issue. But I know that may change if I go to use it anyplace else. I'd like to see Apple simply step up to the plate and offer up a real solution, not a illusion of repair via changing the display.

The rest of the phone is an exquisite upgrade from the 1st generation. Love love love the new camera and the retina screen is superb for reading.

tompe · 07-12-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

Makes you wonder why they rather dismissed the issue earlier, before actually testing it.

Did they? How could they now about the issue without testing it?

But they did comment about previous writings:

Quote:

[UPDATE: Some commentary suggests we've retracted an earlier recommendation of the iPhone 4. In fact, our first blog on the iPhone 4's performance, and a followup comparing it to the Motorola Droid X, were based on preliminary testing, as we stated. Those earlier tests did not address antenna performance. We recommend products only after all tests are complete, and as part of our full smart phone Ratings. —Paul Reynolds]

kjk · 07-12-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

Did they? How could they now about the issue without testing it?

But they did comment about previous writings:

I was referring to this headline which to me, seemed rather dismissive of the issue: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...oblems-in.html

scottjl · 07-12-2010, 06:47 PM

well.. i guess one thing is that's a blog entry verses an actual review. but i still pretty much take anything CR says with a grain of salt. it is amusing to watch them do the 180 though and their word will give some people pause and apple a black eye.

vaughnmr · 07-12-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

well.. i guess one thing is that's a blog entry verses an actual review. but i still pretty much take anything CR says with a grain of salt. it is amusing to watch them do the 180 though and their word will give some people pause and apple a black eye.

I guess you can spend your time complaining about CR, or you could could admit there MIGHT be a problem... See this:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/apples...-4s-mojo/36627

07-12-2010, 12:45 PM	#1
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	Consumer Reports doesn't recommend iPhone 4 http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...twork-gsm.html ouch. that has to hurt apple a little bit. the picture with the duct tape sure is a laugh. bet jobs is none to happy.

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07-12-2010, 12:49 PM	#2
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	Makes you wonder why they rather dismissed the issue earlier, before actually testing it.

07-12-2010, 12:59 PM	#3
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	well i've never had much faith in CR to begin with. a few times over the past few decades their reviews have been questioned. apparently that rubber stamp bit them in the ass again. but i know a lot of non-tech people who swear by CR's seal of approval, or word of warning. having CR flag you as "not recommended" is certainly not going to help apple in the long run, and not make this issue disappear as easily as apple hopes it would. their whole handling of this issue has been a botched mess.

07-12-2010, 02:02 PM	#4
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	I am not a fan of CR, really don't pay much attention to what they recommend or not.... But as Scott said, this has to hurt Apple. Just the stigma is enough to sting......

07-12-2010, 02:12 PM	#5
vaughnmr Ebook Reader Posts: 605 Karma: 3205128 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View	News Flash! There is a problem with the antenna.

07-12-2010, 02:19 PM	#6
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	the point of this thread isn't that the antenna has a problem. we already knew that. it's that CR did an about face in their review, which happens, but is rare, and the effect it's going to have on iPhone sales.

07-12-2010, 02:53 PM	#7
vaughnmr Ebook Reader Posts: 605 Karma: 3205128 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View	I don't think they really did an about face, they were initially in love, like just about everyone else was. After scientific testing, though, they had to change the review. Engadget has independently confirmed antenna problems with testing: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/c...ems-and-so-do/

07-12-2010, 02:59 PM	#8
Yoshi 1080 Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 204 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Device: iPad, iPhone, Mac	I think it’s pathetic of them to deny any antenna problems at first and even criticizing anyone else (in their blog) and then turning around 180°. Either make an educated comment or STFU, Consumer Reports!

07-12-2010, 04:42 PM	#10
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	I'm not a big user of Consumer Reports. It seems to me, though, that its review wouldn't stop me from buying the phone even if I were a CS fan. It's basically saying, hey, nice phone with one big flaw that can be corrected with a case (which most people use on their iPhones anyway). I think Apple's handling of the antenna problem has been arrogant and insulting toward customers, however. Apple clearly screwed up with the hardware, dismissed valid complaints and is now profiting by selling bumpers. At the very least, it should've acknowledged the problem immediately and offered every buyer a free bumper. At this point, my two-generations-old iPhone works well enough, so I'm not upgrading. If I were to upgrade, Apple's handling of the problem would make me seriously consider competitors' phones.

07-12-2010, 05:56 PM	#11
VictoriaP Addict Posts: 298 Karma: 491576 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle PW2; Kindle Touch; Kindle 2; iPad Mini; iPad1	The plus to this, as an iPhone 4 owner, is that it's another lever to get Apple to fix the problem in a real fashion--not just bandaid it with a smoke-and-mirrors "signal display issue" update. Mine's in a bumper in a strong signal area, so for me so far, it's a non issue. But I know that may change if I go to use it anyplace else. I'd like to see Apple simply step up to the plate and offer up a real solution, not a illusion of repair via changing the display. The rest of the phone is an exquisite upgrade from the 1st generation. Love love love the new camera and the retina screen is superb for reading.

07-12-2010, 06:47 PM	#14
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	well.. i guess one thing is that's a blog entry verses an actual review. but i still pretty much take anything CR says with a grain of salt. it is amusing to watch them do the 180 though and their word will give some people pause and apple a black eye.

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