Mobile network operator Vodafone UK has confirmed that they are offering Apple’s latest handset on pay as you go deals. The prices are pretty reasonable too. At £480, buyers will be able to get hold of the 16GB version while the 32GB version is up for £570. Reasonable, as long as the buyer does not mind buying a mobile phone with a badly designed antenna that loses signal and drops calls every now and then.
Yes, for those who might not have heard, the antenna issue is quite true. Apple even had an emergency press conference several weeks ago to discuss the matter (or rather, make excuses about the whole thing and simply hand out free iPhone 4 bumper cases for free). The issue with the phone is a hardware related problem, making a solution through software patches impossible. To truly fix this, Apple would need to start a recall of all devices and even set up a special repair program on all of their stores –quite an unlikely scenario since such a solution would cost the company plenty of money.
Instead, Apple has set up a special app at the iTunes store that users can download for free. Once the app is linked to the user’s iTunes account, they may sign up for the free bumper case (or get a refund if they have already bought one).
This however, does not fix the issue. Apple’s iPhone 4 loses signal when a portion of the lower left edge comes into contact with human touch. The casing only prevents direct contact with the area, but it will not resolve the issue. There are some improvised solutions available –a wide variety of items that can be used to block the exposed area, though owners are advised to follow more conventional solutions.
Tags: Apple, Apple-iPhone-4