New York:
On Friday, Apple said it would fix the software of the iPhone 4 to address the so-called Death Grip problem. It was the first explanation the company has offered of why holding the phone a certain way may cause the bars displaying reception strength to drop in number, and calls to be lost.
In a Web site post, Apple said the problem was not with the antenna, but rather with how the software calculated reception strength to display as bars on the phone.
So it is fixing the display of the signal strength, the five bars in the upper left hand corner of the phone's screen, so the signal is more accurately depicted.
"Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength." said Apple in the post. "Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place."
In the post, Apple said that it had used the same formula for the earlier versions of the iPhone but that the problem was not as noticeable because those phones lacked the iPhone 4's antenna. The company said it will now calculate bars using a formula AT&T uses for determining signal strength, which presumably will give a more accurate reading.
The company will update the operating system software for all phones.
This solution is a little like changing the grading curve in a college course. Adjusting the gauge might not satisfy disgruntled iPhone 4 users because the phone could still drop calls when the signal is weak. The Web has been bubbling with complaints and suggestions of other steps you can take to reduce the Death Grip problem.
The simple fix is to insulate the antenna, which is built into the metal strip running around the phone. Some people have painted the strip with clear nail lacquer; don't let it run into the controls, though. Or you can stretch a piece of electrical tape around the strip; the strip is easy to modify with an Exacto knife so that the controls and ports are accessible.
The easiest fix is to buy a case for the phone, although they can be pricey. Some people are making an economy model themselves, using a Livestrong wrist band wrapped around the antenna, with holes cut for controls and ports.
Meanwhile, Apple did not address another problem that's been reported with the new phone; some people say if their face touches the surface of the phone, the call will end, or the phone will dial another number. This, too, has an easy fix. Holding the phone next to your face causes the problem, so don't do it. Use a Bluetooth or wired headset. Problem solved.
I know - you shouldn't have to jury rig your expensive phone. And people are rightfully seething over having to take these steps. But as a matter of practicality, you are better off making some fixes and having a phone that works, even if you shouldn't have to.
In a Web site post, Apple said the problem was not with the antenna, but rather with how the software calculated reception strength to display as bars on the phone.
So it is fixing the display of the signal strength, the five bars in the upper left hand corner of the phone's screen, so the signal is more accurately depicted.
"Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength." said Apple in the post. "Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place."
In the post, Apple said that it had used the same formula for the earlier versions of the iPhone but that the problem was not as noticeable because those phones lacked the iPhone 4's antenna. The company said it will now calculate bars using a formula AT&T uses for determining signal strength, which presumably will give a more accurate reading.
The company will update the operating system software for all phones.
This solution is a little like changing the grading curve in a college course. Adjusting the gauge might not satisfy disgruntled iPhone 4 users because the phone could still drop calls when the signal is weak. The Web has been bubbling with complaints and suggestions of other steps you can take to reduce the Death Grip problem.
The simple fix is to insulate the antenna, which is built into the metal strip running around the phone. Some people have painted the strip with clear nail lacquer; don't let it run into the controls, though. Or you can stretch a piece of electrical tape around the strip; the strip is easy to modify with an Exacto knife so that the controls and ports are accessible.
The easiest fix is to buy a case for the phone, although they can be pricey. Some people are making an economy model themselves, using a Livestrong wrist band wrapped around the antenna, with holes cut for controls and ports.
Meanwhile, Apple did not address another problem that's been reported with the new phone; some people say if their face touches the surface of the phone, the call will end, or the phone will dial another number. This, too, has an easy fix. Holding the phone next to your face causes the problem, so don't do it. Use a Bluetooth or wired headset. Problem solved.
I know - you shouldn't have to jury rig your expensive phone. And people are rightfully seething over having to take these steps. But as a matter of practicality, you are better off making some fixes and having a phone that works, even if you shouldn't have to.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
