Update 2:  No Recall.  Apple will give free cases to everyone that buys an iPhone through September 30th - if you already purchased a bumper case they will refund the purchase.  More about the meeting on ep 138 early next week. 

 

As the title of this post suggests and conventional wisdom is now indicating an iPhone 4 recall announcement is all but a certainty when Apple has its special media even tomorrow at 10:00 AM PT.  However when it comes to conventional wisdom and Apple - history is not on the side of conventional wisdom.  Remember the iPod Touch 3rd gen with a camera, or the iPad that was not going to be called an iPad or that said iPad would be on Verizon.  Those were all conventional wisdom that Apple did not go along with. And what about the time of the event - 10:00 AM PT when the markets are still open in NY.  That timing seems odd - especially for a major recall announcement from a company with regards to its biggest individual product.  Why not push the event out a couple of hours until after the markets close. That seems even more obvious than the issues from touching an exposed antenna.  

If you are not aware iOS 4.0.1 is officially out for the iPhone 4 and its effect on fixing the Antenna bars dropping issue is negligible at best. I can with a tight death grip get the iPhone 4 to drop 3 bars - however now that the first bar is so much bigger I don't seem to feel as bad.  It is however now much harder to get 5 bars on the iPhone 4.  

There are some very good posts out there on what to expect tomorrow and one in particular from MG Siegler from Techcrunch is very well done.  

But what if Apple throws conventional wisdom out the window and Steve gets up there and shows data on the iPhone 4 having 10 to 15 dB better reception performance than the 3GS when not held with the death grip and only 5 to 10 dB worse performance when held tightly with the death grip.  Then Steve offers up a free bumper or gift card for all iPhone 4 owners.  And then does the completely unexpected and announces the iPhone 4 will be available in XX days on Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.  I just heard from a good friend in the electronic components industry that his good friend told him Fox Con is already building the CDMA versions of the iPhone 4.  Yeah I know a friend of a friend - almost sounds like something from Digitimes or BGR.  Not that I really think this will happen - just throwing it out there as a possible anti-conventional wisdom possibility.  

 

If you have thoughts on what will happen tomorrow or if you have upgraded to iOS 4.0.1 please share your experience / thoughts below.

 

Update: Some listener email feedback

Hi Rob,

Just thought I'd share an experience I had this morning while eating
breakfast at a McDonald's in my area. I was sitting with my girlfriend
when I pulled out my iPhone 4 to check the weather. A group of elderly
people were sitting at the table next to us. One of them saw my phone
and asked me if it was "that new apple phone that was going to get
recalled". I said "well it the new apple phone but I'm pretty sure it
isn't going to be recalled". This group then began asking about the
antenna issues that had been in the news and were curious if I had any
problems. I told them that yes the signal does appear to drop but that
rarely results in a dropped call. Another group at a table also
nearby, this time with a group of 30-ish age people then joined the
conversation saying that they ha gotten android phones because of the
reported issue with the iPhone 4.
  I guess I hadn't realized just how big of a public perception
problem this antenna thing is. Apple is in some serious trouble if a
group of random people of various ages are all aware of the reported
issues. Anyway, I hope apple can do something to alleviate the
problem.

Regards,
Jason

 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Apple - iPhone - Tips and Tricks

Apple releases troubleshooting article updates for iPhone and iOS devices  - CNET

Ducati Commercial Shot with Apple iPhone 4

iMovie App Works Perfectly Fine On A Hacked iPhone 3GS - iPhone Hacks

AppleInsider | iAd report: Apple's iOS 4 will reach iPad in November

iPad blasts past Android in usage share | ZDNet

How To Install iMovie on iPhone 3GS | Cult of Mac

AppleInsider | Apple issues iOS 4 fix for Exchange ActiveSync issues

Apple - Support - Discussions - 3G data speed on iPhone 4 is painfully ...

Bugs & Fixes: Seven iOS 4 troubleshooting tips | Macworld

Slow iOS4 runs faster on iPhone 3G with no Safari web pages open : Beatweek Magazine

Dev-Team inching closer to carrier unlock for iPhone 4 | MacFixIt - CNET

Apple Pulls Apps Citing Fraud - WSJ.com

Apple releases iPhone OS 2.1

iPhone 4 exceeds talk time promises | iPhone Atlas - CNET

indie's Adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail 2010

YouTube Mobile Site Launches for HTML5-Capable Devices - PCWorld

UPDATED: Best Buy to iPhone/Evo video guy: Welcome back. But he'll pass | Dollars & Sense

YouTube Mobile Site Trumps Dedicated iPhone App - PCWorld

Facebook | AT&T

AppleInsider | Apple's new iPod touch rumored to have 5MP camera, FaceTime

Gadgets -Dell's Streak Set to Arrive in the U.S. - But When?

Fring update approved for iPhone, does video calling with front cam over 3G -- Engadget

 

 

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:

Tii App

ePrint

Brushes

Keynote

iExit

Doodle God

Vlingo

Siri

 

 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

How to Get Your Address Book Birthday Calendar on Your iPad Using MobileMe - wikiHow

Place Your Bets - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com

New Uses For Your Old iPhone

How to sell your old iPhone

Jailbreak How-To: Back Up Apps in Rock and Cydia | TiPb

iTunes 9.2: The iPhone cannot be synced

The parents of five children think the iPad ads are gendered.

AppFest Lets iPad, iPhone App Fans Meet Their Maker

Downgrade iOS 4.0 [Final] to iOS 3.1.3 Gadgets DNA

Lawsuit Claims Apple, AT&T Promoted ‘Deceptive’ Data Plans | Wireless Week

Bloomberg: Verizon iPhone coming in January? | Signal Strength - CNET News

Verizon iPhone coming in January? | Technology | Los Angeles Times

Verizon will finally offer the iPhone in January (report) | VentureBeat

iPhone on Verizon: 5 Reasons to Doubt the Latest Rumors - PCWorld

Hulu Launches Premium Video Subscription Service -- Online Video -- InformationWeek

Apple Sued Over New IPhone Reception Problems by Consumers - BusinessWeek

Here come the iPhone 4 antenna-gate class-action lawsuits - Computerworld Blogs

Apple hiring iPhone antenna engineers for some reason -- Engadget

Steve Jobs Is In Serious Denial Over iPhone 4 Antenna Issue (AAPL)

Letter from Apple Regarding iPhone 4

Daring Fireball: Translation From Apple's Unique Dialect of PR-Speak to English of the 'Letter From Apple Regarding iPhone 4'

Apple denies iPhone 4 e-mail exchange claim - Technology & science - Wireless - msnbc.com

Antenna Expert: Apple is Right, iPhone 4 Signal Woes Overblown - PCWorld

Apple's iPhone 4: Thoroughly Reviewed - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Puzzlement for iPad on the iTunes App Store

Best Buy Firing Employee Because He Makes A Funny Video That Doesn't Even Mention Best Buy | Techdirt

YouTube - tinywatchproductions's Channel

Apple Dumps iPhone 4 Restocking Fee | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

iPhone 4 defenders debunk reception, 'grip of death' issues

iPhone 4 Retina Display Vs Motorola Droid X Vs Droid Incredible Vs EVO 4G | Gadgets DNA

HowTo Tie a Tie for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

YouTube - iPhone 4 Antenna Tech Support Call

Unlock iPhone 3.1.3 05.11.07 Baseband with Blacksn0w | Redmond Pie

Boy Genius Geller Paid 4 iPhone 4 Steve Jobs' Death Grip Emails- Yes-Buts, Source of iPhone 4 Exchange Named - WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

App Store chicanery powered by iTunes account fraud

iTunes Accounts Hacked [WARNING]

iTunes accounts hacking more widespread than initially thought. The facts, and what you should do.

App Store, Hacked. (Updated: iTunes Accounts too.)

I think my iTunes account was hacked? - Page 5 - Mac Forums

iTunes accounts hacked by shady developer? | alexbrie . com

Apple’s app store, filled with “App farms” being used to steal. [Examples]

 

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:

Tii App

PS Mobile

Lego Photo

Hulu+

Puzzlement

How to Tie a Tie

 

 

There are a lot of posts popping up this past weekend about iTunes being "Hacked".  While "Hacked" does not appear to be an accurate description - as it appears no rouge hackers broke through the walls and stole passwords from users randomly. What it does look like is in Apple's "Pristine" walled garden there are lots of weeds.  I for one have said iTunes and Apples ability to control what goes on in iTunes is in the long run a key advantage over the Android eco system.  However that is only true if Apple does their part - and right now that does not appear to be the case.  The current incident appears to be where some less than reputable App developers have taken purchasing / account info from users of some of their apps to purchase their other apps. 

 

See the following for more info:

The Next Web - Apples App Store Filled with "App Farms"

 

TUAW - App Store Chicanery powered by iTunes account fraud

 

Mashable - iTunes Accounts Hacked

 

The Next Web - iTunes accounts hacking more widespread than initially thought

 

Alexbrie - iTunes accounts hacked by shady developer?

 

Again I don't think from what I read that "Hacked" is an accurate description - I think "Shady developers mis-use iTunes accounts" would be a better description.  Reading through the one post from The Next Web - they mention some of the developers doing App farms and if these developers are responsible for the illegal activities and Storm8 is one of the guilty parties as mentioned by The Next Web - then I think Apple has shown they have not done their job in policing the iTunes App store.  Back on Episode 104 I mentioned a post on Boing Boing - iPhone game dev accused of stealing players phone numbers  -  At the time I had this to say on the show:

Ok - what I am not sure on this next one is what shocks me / surprises me the most - And this is per the story about how the company storm8 is being sued for harvesting cell numbers of the iPhones where the app was installed. What I am not sure on which surprises me the most - is one that they did this after what was reported earlier this summer with a company in Switzerland doing the same - or that Storm8 and their games are still in the App store - and some were free ones I even talked about in the past - World War, Vampires Live, Ninjas live, iMobster and more - although I think I only talked about World War. Which by the way sucked and I removed from my iPhone long ago. I am really shocked apple has not just kicked them out. They are claiming it was a bug - you know they type of bug where you accidentally climbed up on a chair and reached up on the fridge and were reaching into the cookie jar when your parents turned the light on - type of bug. Yeah. And Boo boo boo storm8

 

I am not saying Storm8 has stollen users passwords and put false charges on users account - I don't now that one way or the other - but to even see them mentioned and one of their Apps mentioned in some of the posts on this subject leads me to think where the is smoke there is fire.  And if they do in fact prove to be one of the guilty parties - Apple had been given warning about these guys back in 2009 and did NOTHING.  Just like they have done nothing with the App developers that have paid for their reviews.

 

Bogus iTunes App Reviews 

 

More Bogus App reviewers and reviews

 

That's right Apple having it brought to their attention of bogus paid app reviews in iTunes back on April 30th has done nothing and taken no actions with regards to the App reviewers taking payola for app reviews or the ones paying for the App reviewers.  Apple was made aware of Storm8 in 2009 and did nothing.  Apple has weeds in their walled garden, those weeds have been brought to their attention and it sure looks like Apple is not interested in yanking out those weeds.  This in my opinion is a bigger issue than anything that may or may not be wrong with the iPhone 4.  It is the eco system stupid and it sure looks like Apple is not on top of their developers. 

 

 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Analyst Challenges Apple's iPhone 4 'Retina Display' Claims | PCMag.com

iPhone 4 screen seemingly scratch-proof, but not unbreakable

Urban Dictionary: CrotchTime

Experts weigh in on iPhone 4 display quality

SquareTrade Study Finds iPhone 3GS Model 20 Percent More Reliable Than 3G Model

The complete guide to the iPhone's new OS - Gizmodo- msnbc.com

More than a quarter of iPhones break within 2 years - Computerworld

Dev-Team Blog - foursome news

iPhone 4 Teardown - Page 3 - iFixit

AFP: Apple delays white iPhone 4 in manufacturing glitch

Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way -- Engadget

Statement by Apple on White iPhone 4

No friends with new iPhones? FaceTime with Apple instead

YouTube - iPhone 4 Drop Test by iFixYouri.com

iOS 4.0.1 may tackle iPhone 4's antenna problems | Electronista

Verizon iPhone 4 No Longer In Verizon’s Area Of Interest? | USA News Week

Steve Jobs on iPhone 4: "No Reception Issues, Stay Tuned"  - CBS News

The iPhone 4 Death Grip saga - Fortune Tech

iPhone 4 Video Sex Chat Services Already Staffing Up

iPhone 4 Sales Top 1.7 Million

iPhone 4 stockouts: 60% of Apple Stores, 100% of the rest - Fortune Tech

Mac News: Reviews: One Giant Leap for an iPhone

Lawsuit Brewing Over iPhone 4 Antenna Issues? - PCWorld

Possible fix for iPhone 4 signal problems available? | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews

Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not. -- Engadget

Leak shows Apple's spin on iPhone 4 flaws - CNN.com

Apple Can't Wish Away iPhone 4 Antenna Woes - PCWorld

How bad is the iPhone 4's signal loss? - Apple 2.0 - Fortune Tech

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:
Tii App
Glow Draw
DropBox

I know there have been a LOT of videos out there showing reception issues with the iPhone4 depending on how you hold it.  Personally I am not seeing this issue - As the video above shows. Don't get me wrong I am not saying this issue is not happening to some people - just that it is not happening to all people.  Here is what Apple said about the issue. (From Engadget) 

Gripping any mobile 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 iPhone 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.

There are also many other post out there - Gizmodo has a post that has many videos showing people that do have the issue.  

Here is my theory on this and mind you it is a long time since I worked with a Smith Chart (Yes I have an Engineering Degree - and was even the Chief Engineer at a company that made Quartz Crystal Oscillators - which are the heart of RF systems).  I think this is a Stub issue where depending on what band you are on and the size of your hand, and the amount of muscle / fat in your hand / body you may or may not see this issue. Yes that sounds like voodoo - Welcome to RF engineering.  One part science one part magic. 

The following is as non-technical as I can make this.  Antennas are tuned for specific lengths - known as Stubs - where if you hit the right length you get the best reception.  However there are specific lengths that cause an anti-stub and these will actually cause total loss of reception. The way the system sees the antenna length will vary when external stimuli are introduced (you). How the circuit looks at you in addition to the circuit will depend on many factors - How big you are overall, the size of your hand, the make up of the fat / muscle in your body, and where you are touching the antenna.  Some people I think are perfect anti-stubs and cause complete loss of signal.  Others will have minimal to no effect.  It is possible when (if) I loose 20 pounds - that my results above could change - just as they could change based on the Cell band the phone is on. 

Again I have been away from the bench (RF Engineering) for a while - almost 10 years.  So above is just my theory.  I am sure others have their theories.  And by no means was the above meant to be a RF Engineering 101 course - I leave that for Les Besser who I met a long time ago when just a college student and he pointed me to the RF world.  Actually I reached out to Besser and Associates - the foremost authorities on RF engineering and they gave me the contact info of their Antenna Guru. If he replies back I will update this post with his thoughts. 

Let me know in the comments below if you are having the issue with the reception of the iPhone 4 getting worse when you hold it in your hand.  

Update 1: Engadget found their own antenna expert here is their post on this subject.

Update 2: Here is a link to my second video which shows me holding with the "Death Grip" for over a minute with Zero issues.  Again not saying it is not happening to others - just that it is not happening to me. Obviously your results may vary. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

A Better Sense of Who's Winning the Android-iPhone Horse Race | The Big Money

YouTube - STAR WARS I-PAD BRIEFING

Android Phone Users More Willing to Switch to IPhone, Finds Nielsen - eWeek

SIM to micro-SIM | Crave - CNET

iPhone Dev Team to offer jailbreak and carrier unlock solution for iPhone 3.1.3 and  4.0 OS

First WiMAX handset not Sprinting from stores - The Register

PCWorld - EVO not as fast as advertised

Apple's Worst Security Breach: 114,000 iPad Owners Exposed

microsim2sim 2010 | MicroSIM Adapter and Cutter shop 3FF mini-UICC

Google mobile ad chief fires back at Apple lockout - The Register

ATTs iPhone 4 Deals for Recent iPhone 3GS Buyers

ATT e-mail apologizes for iPad data breach | Security - CNET News

HTC EVO 4G and Droid Incredible suffering from unresponsive screen issues -- Engadget

"Hackers" Respond To AT&T's iPad Security Breach Email

Apple iPhone 4 Pre-Ordering Is a Total Disaster

iPhone 4 pre-order mess takes a sinister turn with privacy breach -- Engadget

iPhone 4, with 512MB of RAM, to offer 'robust performance' - Computerworld

ATT MicroCell use to count against data caps | Electronista

Is your iPhone 4 really reserved for next week | ZDNet

iPhone 4 has display supply issues, analyst says  - CNET News

Forrester: iPad sales will plummet - Apple 2.0 - Fortune Tech

Apple Sells Three Million iPads in 80 Days

No Walk-In iPhone 4 Sales at ATT Retail Stores Until June 29th - Mac Rumors

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:
Tii App
Words with Friends
Spent on Apps
Fruit Ninja

Advertiser:
http://www.squaretrade.com/tii

Update5: 7:09 AM ET 6/16/10 - Looks like AT&T is at fault for most of the pre-order issues.  One thing to make sure when putting in your phone number put it in as 9135551234 format - no spaces or dashes - that seemed to work for some.  

Update4: 10:47 AM ET - If you still can't pre-order from the Apple site - maybe you will want to try the new Apple Store App here - If that does not work then you can look at pre-ordering with ATT, Best Buy or Radio Shack:

att.com must pay up front
Best buys. 50.00 deposit
radio shack 50.00 deposit
Walmart will be selling the day of delivery 6-24
(Thanks Steph for sending that in)

No one has White iPhone4's - so it just looks like the Black Model at Launch.  

Update3: At 9:00 AM ET lots of reports coming in about the Apple system being down or timing out.  Just keep retrying.  It took me three tries at 8:00 AM to get all the way through.  Just looks like lots and lots of interest in the iPhone4.  I am also getting people emailing in they also were able to reserve / order their iPhone - so you will get through - it just make take a few (dozen) tries. 

Update2: You can as of 8:00 AM ET reserve or pre-order your iPhone4.  However only the black iPhone is available for Reserving at the Apple Store for pickup.  :(  I hope Apple lets us change the reservation to the white iPhone on the 24th. 

Update1: New link for reserving the iPhone added.  Rumor is now 8:00 AM ET.

Sometime between 12:00 AM ET and probably 9:00 AM ET the iPhone 4 will be available to pre-order.

When it is available I will send out a push with the URL to pre-order and also update this post.

If you will want to pre-order for delivery to your house you will need to go here - http://store.apple.com/

If you want to reserve an iPhone 4 for pickup at your apple store you will need to go here - http://store.apple.com/us/go/iphone4

Right now the Apple reps do not know what time Pre-Orders / Reservations will start.  But if the past is any indication it likely will be around sunrise on the East coast. 

Again this post will be updated as soon as I have more info.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:
The Android Achilles Heel

Apple Sells Two Million iPads in Less Than 60 Days

Apple Proves The Naysayers Wrong, Sells 2 Million iPads In 2 Months » Podcasting News

Analysts hastily revise iPad numbers - Fortune Tech

AT&T makes sweeping changes to data plans, iPhone tethering -- Engadget

AT&T axes unlimited data, unveils tethering price

AT&T pulls a switcheroo on 3G iPad users - Computerworld

Updated: Contact AT&T CEO, Randall Stephenson - The Consumerist

AT&T warns customer that emailing the CEO will result in a cease and desist letter -- Engadget

AT&T Sparks User Backlash With End to Unlimited Plans (Update2)

AT&T says sorry to customer who e-mailed CEO | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

SquareTrade Rolls Out New iPhone Warranty Program - Mac Rumors

Live WWDC 2010 keynote coverage – gdgt live

WWDC 2010: Second generation iPod touch gets free update to iOS4

Mac Rumors: Apple Mac Rumors and News You Care About

Steve Jobs live from WWDC 2010 -- Engadget

Live WWDC 2010 keynote coverage – gdgt live

Hands On With Apple's New iPhone 4 - PCWorld

Daring Fireball: iPhone 4 Impressions and Observations

Apple - QuickTime - WWDC 2010 Keynote Address

Thoughts on the new iPhone and AT&T

5 Bummers About Apple iPhone 4 - Mobile - IT Channel News by CRN

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:
Tii App
Sketchbook
Puri 2.5
PhotoBrush
Paradice Novella
Golf Radar
Golf Radar Pro

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Analyst: 17% of Verizon Customers Waiting for iPhone - Mac Rumors

Wal-Mart slashes iPhone 3GS price to $97 - May. 24, 2010

Technology News: iPhone: Apple Consigns iPhone 3GS to Wal-Mart's Bargain Basement

Holman Jenkins: Apple's Second Date with History - WSJ.com

Nerd Alert! The iPhone 3G Is Dead To You And Me | Complex Blog

Report: 30% of netbook shoppers bought an iPad

Tii Post on Retrevo from Feb.

Apple makes iPhone dev deal -- with Microsoft? - Computerworld Blogs

YouTube - How Steve Jobs Beat Death

YouTube - Apple - Newton - Restaurant

Man arrested for shooting at car of iPhone theives - Boing Boing

Microsoft debunks rumor of Ballmer appearance at WWDC

AT&T Claims 40% of iPhone Sales Made to Business Customers - Mac Rumors

AT&T: 40 percent of iPhone sales are enterprise -- Engadget

Mac News: An iPhone for Verizon and Sprint: Dream On

NBC, TBS & Others Say No To iPad | Shelly Palmer

Apple iPad Launches Internationally, the Crowd Goes Wild

AT&T to offer iPhone insurance for $13.99/mo « Boy Genius Report

Bing to take over iPhone/iPad/iPod touch search? | 9 to 5 Mac

Apple To Face Regulatory Probe Over iAd Mobile Ad Product - ClickZ

Navigon cuts price of MyRegion version for a limited time

AppleInsider | AT&T's iPhone insurance to cost twice as much as SquareTrade

International iPad sale attracts long lines, 'crazy' atmosphere - CSMonitor.com

Has the iPad killed tablet innovation? - SlashGear

Next iPhone Screen Resolution Confirmed at 960x640 - Mac Rumors

iPhone security flaw: Using a PIN won't help you | Security | Macworld

Telus adds lone, scaling iPad 3G data plan | Electronista

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:
Tii App
Glow Doodle
Wolfram Alpha
QStatus
Whistle Phone
Angry Birds
Activator - Cydia
Top 100 by Year by Bing
AppAdvice
WiFi Sync - Cydia


BlueTooth Headsets Mentioned in this Episode:
Altec Lansing BT headset