Not sure if this was posted here already, but the Anandtech review of the iPhone is out and gives some very interesting info regarding the antenna issues: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-review
From my day of testing, I've determined that the iPhone 4 performs much better than the 3GS in situations where signal is very low, at -113 dB (1 bar). Previously, dropping this low all but guaranteed that calls would drop, fail to be placed, and data would no longer be transacted at all. I can honestly say that I've never held onto so many calls and data simultaneously on 1 bar at -113 dB as I have with the iPhone 4, so it's readily apparent that the new baseband hardware is much more sensitive compared to what was in the 3GS. The difference is that reception is massively better on the iPhone 4 in actual use.
With my bumper case on, I made it further into dead zones than ever before, and into marginal areas that would always drop calls without any problems at all. It's amazing really to experience the difference in sensitivity the iPhone 4 brings compared to the 3GS, and issues from holding the phone aside, reception is absolutely definitely improved. I felt like I was going places no iPhone had ever gone before. There's no doubt in my mind this iPhone gets the best cellular reception yet, even though measured signal is lower than the 3GS.
Conference call with three calls going at the same time, and transacting data, all at minimum signal. Impressive.
That brings me to the way that signal quality should really be reported - Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). SNR is essentially a measure of how much of the signal is compromised by noise or interference. It's readily apparent that because the iPhone 4 works almost perfectly fine at -113 dB, it has much better sensitivity. The deciding factor for reporting the signal quality metric is then SNR, something Apple and other handset manufacturers will have to move to eventually instead of just power. In reality, reporting based on SNR makes a lot more sense, since I couldn't make calls drop driving around an entire day cupping the phone, despite being at -113 dB (1 bar) most of the time.
The drop in signal from holding the phone with your left hand arguably remains a problem. Changing the bars visualization may indeed help mask it, and to be fair the phone works fine all the way down to -113 dB, but it will persist - software updates can change physics as much as they can change hardware design. At the end of the day, Apple should add an insulative coating to the stainless steel band, or subsidize bumper cases. It's that simple.
Not useless at all. You get instant access to your most recently used apps. Like alt-tab on the computer, unless you find that useless as well.
Wow you really are a hater. Just sell your iPhone and get rid of it since the multitasking and everything is so useless.
On my old 3G that was upgraded to 4.0, they added an option to the general settings that let you control the behavior of double-clicking the home button. Since there was no multitasking on the 3G, they had options like going to your favorites screen, to the search screen, etc. I'm sad to see that's not available on the iP4. I'd much rather have double-clicking the home button go to my phone favorites rather than the multitasking bar.
Thank you peritusONE, I agree. Actually, double tapping a button, and cumbersomely flicking through screens of recently used apps does not even compare to the instant and fast use of alt tab... in addition, al tab shows actual, real, running programs in a true multitasking operating system. To compare it, this would be like double tapping say left alt, and having a box come up with all the programs id recently opened, running or not, basically just a big menu of shortcuts. You dont need to fix soemthing that isnt broken, i have a whole screen full of shortcuts to my apps, thats all the home screen is, a giant desktop full of shortcuts to my apps, i dont need another menu full of shortcuts. BUT AGAIN, thats just ME. I'd still much rather hit on favorites, or be able to pull up my camera quickly, thank you. Just my preference for THAT aspect of the OS. I am not Damning the whole device.
I'm not a hater, i adore the iPhone, someone isn't allowed to hate on a feature of an OS? How many people before on these boards have griped about certain aspects of Windows 7, or MAC OSX when they get recent upgrades, arguing that those people should just sell their computer or Operating System based on that is absurd, so in general, that statement was completely absurd.
I probably wont use it, i find it faster to switch to a recently used app since i know where it is on the home screen, it takes less time for me to flip to it and tap it than to double tap home and hit it there. but that's just me. Take a chill guys, seriously, wow, someone finds a flaw in something that you find SO PERFECT and its off to war.
What do you use to clean your iPhone off with every night when you're done making love to it? Hmmm?
On a more serious note, the more recent of your posts had good info, thank you for the graphs and performance reviews.
Aw fuck... I just thought of an issue for me. If mutitasking bar is linked to a double tap, then I'll have to find a new easy way to launch the camera as that's what I used. That sucks =/
Well I am not near the battery life that was listed...
Battery is at 9%
Usage 7 hrs 10 minutes
Standby 11 hrs 43 minutes
Call time 1 hr 38 miuntes
Data Sent: 4.8 MB
Received: 34.0 MB
Last night I did a clean install. Perhaps cycling the batter a few times will help.
Exactly how much crack did you smoke before writing this post?bad info...
Exactly how much crack did you smoke before writing this post?
All I need to see to understand that folks are noobs by thinking that "holding it" is messing up the call by thinking they are actually touching the antenna:
http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/5pCNUTKIUwsjNipX.huge
Dunno if that has been posted or not, clearly shows the bottom antenna is not part of the case, but that the bottom bit is actually a groundplane. The black bits people think are the antennas are insulators, I suppose bridging the gap with the rest of the case changes the groundplane a bit, but thats not enough to screw up a signal.
Also look here for the main antennas. They are in the back part of the case:
http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/uSvaGasZUBorLXIC.huge
Those little strips are a dipole in the back center.
It looks like a great phone. After the recall I'm buying two for my family .
I just did a restore on Sunday night and my phone made it all the way until 2PM today. I'm really happy with that!
You'll be waiting a while then.