The good news: Finally! iPhone 4 is here!
The not-so-good news: Users are complaining, everywhere from the Mac forums to articles on Mashable, about a few critical operational issues that may land Apple and AT&T in court.
Apparently the retina display on Apple’s newest device is susceptible to a yellow discoloration that ranges from a thin line to a circular tint. This is the second time that users have complained about the yellow tint – the first complaints surfaced with the 27-inch iMacs.
Latest reports on the iPhone 4′s yellow streak is that it may be due to a bonding agent in the device that is used to hold the glass together. Let’s say that, theoretically speaking, there was ridiculous anticipation and a high demand for the phones, resulting in a rapid pace of production. The glue (a.k.a. Organofunctional Silane Z-6011, in case you were wondering) might not be fully dry, and could be the source of the discoloration. Some people say that their yellow tint goes away within a few days. All in all, I don’t think Apple is going down because of some lingeringly moist, yellow glue.
Then there’s the reception issue, which seems to have users and spectators much more concerned. The story is that when users hold the phone in two specific places on its metal sides – which also happen to be the phone’s antenna – reception drops significantly. It could mean less bars and decreased call quality and download speed, or even a dropped call. Youtube videos verify some of the claims, but the jury is still out as to whether it’s a hardware or software malfunnction.
Is this a big deal? Well, a few bugs in the first go round of any device have to be expected. But what’s surprising is that it’s happening to Apple – the company that we’ve all come to rely on to just work. Perhaps they were in too much of a hurry to release iPhone 4? Maybe they should have made us wait just a little bit longer in order to release a product AFTER they had caught and addressed the hiccups? Maybe.
Will this spoil the whole bushel of apples? Our Web developer is convinced that reception is not an issue because all phones have certain reception spots that block the antenna when covered. He insists that this isn’t unusual, it’s just the first time that it’s been noticed.
So really, is it that big of a deal? I guess it depends on who you ask, because in Maryland (of course it would be here) several iPhone 4 users are actually suing Apple and AT&T for Defect in Design, Manufacture and Assembly, and Breach of Express Warranty, amongst other ugly sounding claims of negligence, deception, misrepresentation, fraud and the like.
Those are some serious sounding allegations. What could happen if the suit gains legs? It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But we’d hate to see Apple go rotten because of glitches they could have avoided.
Have you had any trouble with your phone? And what do you think will happen with the law suit? Give us your two sense!
