Something tells me it has to do with the whole antenna thing. It starts at 10AM PT.

A Flawed Rating System

What I don’t understand about the whole Consumer Reports fiasco is how something can be the best rated, but not recommended. If they feel so strongly about the antenna problem, shouldn’t that hurt the rating? I mean, the category being judged is smartphones, right? Shouldn’t the most important score be for getting reception and making a call?

It would be like judging a car for it’s 20-inch wheels, premium leather upholstery, 600-watt stereo, and saying that it’s their top-rated luxury vehicle. But, they can’t recommend it because it stalls if you push the clutch forcefully.

Maybe it’s me, but it doesn’t make much sense.

Josh Ong of AppleInsider:

Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst for Bernstein Research, said in a note to clients on Tuesday that while a full product recall is “highly unlikely,” it could theoretically cost the company up to $250 per phone. Sacconaghi estimates 6 million units sold or in transit, resulting in a recall price tag as high as $1.5 billion.

I have to think Apple would give away free bumpers before doing a full product recall. The bumpers solve the reception issue and probably cost pennies to manufacture (even though Apple sells them for $30 a piece).

Anthony Ha of VentureBeat:

The issue can be a sensitive one for AT&T, whose network quality, especially in iPhone-heavy urban areas, has been heavily criticized. So when VentureBeat Editor in Chief Matt Marshall got a chance to ask Donovan a few questions on-stage, he asked what kinds of issues are holding back network quality. It’s a little bit of everything, Donovan replied. With a flood of new chipsets, phones, and applications, the traditional device testing and rollout methods have “broken down.” In addition, AT&T recently faced a shortage of the components needed to improve its network.

MG Siegler talking some iPhone 4 antenna issues on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC last night.

Mac Rumors:

Earlier today, a Consumer Reports post made headlines after they concluded that they simply could not recommend the iPhone 4 due to the widely reported signal issues related to touching the lower-left corner of the device. This single issue alone has prevented them from fully recommending the iPhone 4. However, their formal testing otherwise revealed that the iPhone 4 ranked the highest amongst all smartphones in their testing.

USA TODAY:

The device will be available to customers in January, according to the people, who declined to be named because the information isn’t public. Natalie Kerris, an Apple spokeswoman, and Jeffrey Nelson, a Verizon Wireless spokesman, declined to comment. AT&T also declined to comment. USA TODAY was unable to independently verify the reports.

Craigslist Ad:

Starting an online interactive pornography firm where woman will use the iphone 4 to video chat with potential customers on a pay as you go basis.

Apple:

Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your Phone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.