Microsoft: iPhone 4 is Apple's Vista
Microsoft's COO, Kevin Turner, believes that the iPhone 4 - with its launch-day issues - is Apple's Vista.
Microsoft's chief operating officer Kevin Turner is quoted by Computerworld as stating that "It looks like the iPhone 4 might be [Apple's] Vista, and I'm okay with that," at the company's Worldwide Partner Conference yesterday.
While Turner isn't exactly letting Microsoft off lightly for a version of Windows that was roundly ignored by corporations and didn't exactly set the home-user world on fire - with many choosing to downgrade newly-bought machines to Windows XP, the OS that just won't die - it's clear that the company finds Apple's predicament over the iPhone 4 signal strength issue amusing.
Prior to the comparison to Vista, Turner made further reference to Apple's issues with a comment that "one of the things I want to make sure you know today is that you're going to be able to use a Windows Phone 7 [handset] and not have to worry about how you're holding it to make a phone call."
Turner's comments come as Apple releases a beta of iOS 4.1, which contains a 'fix' for what the company claims is a simple software bug which results in a false signal reading in marginal areas. Sadly, MobileCrunch reports that the patch fails to fix the issue, with the signal strength still dropping through the floor if your finger rests on the bottom left of the handset.
Apple has invited members of the media to a press conference on Friday, during which time it is thought that the company will address the growing concern over the iPhone 4's issues - and, possibly, even announce some form of recall or exchange programme. One thing's for sure, however: when even Microsoft is mocking you over a buggy release, you've got problems.
Do you think that Turner is being unfair to Apple with his comparison, or are you just shocked at his seemingly admitting that Vista was broken by design? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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Discuss in the forums ReplyNow when much pillared Microsoft start making valid jokes about you, you know the game is up. Stick a fork in the iPhone4, it's done!
I love my 3GS though - you know that a phone is special when you use it to write comments on bit tech
It's piss-poor ALL THE TIME!
It could've been such a great phone, the looks definitely appeal and the "old" iPhones are kinda nice, but I'll stick to my Android phone, thank you very much.
I too think the iPhone hype is way overrated. A couple of months ago on the radio there was a talk about the greatest inventions, such as the wheel, telephone and other breakthrough technologies we certainly couldn't live without today. And some kid rings in suggesting the iPhone should be amongst these great inventions because it has apps that and I quote "lets u do sum kool stuff innit bruv." Such nonsense really annoys me.
Please assure me this site will never become ibit-tech.com
I really like the Dell Streak atm
However, the iPhone4 is the smelly deceased dog about to be put down as no amount of weeping dog lovers will save this puppy from the needle. Hence, the major recall about to go down tomorrow.
Am I the only person who puts their current phone in a case? I've done that with my iPhone since I got it. So the signal on an iPhone 4 attenuates a bit when holding it left handed and naked, so what? (the phone being naked that is - I don't think the clothing status of the user matters that much)
The only thing stopping me form getting an iPhone 4 is I don't need to spend the money right now.
The area where Apple probably boobed is I don't think they've only just realised the signal bars were set as they were, I'm sure it was to give people the impression they had great signal when they didn't - and this was all likely due to how crap AT&T are in the US.
by Friday, we'll know how Apple is going to handle this situation, nothing worth gossiping about.
+1, I used Vista in '08-'09 and I never really understood why everyone hated it so much.
So, the phone doesn't work properly as sold. If it needs a case, or an insulating coating or something, they should either have supplied one with it or made it explicitly clear that you would need to purchase one in addition to the phone. Lots of people don't put their phones in a case and don't expect it to malfunction as a result; that's a legitimate expectation.
I don't believe one word of that press release. The issue isn't how Apple's iPhones interpret signal bars; the issue is that the signal plummets if you hold the phone in the specified manner. Apple are trying to pass the blame here; when they say that actually it's the network's fault and the signal has been crappy all along, they're hoping to deflect the heat onto the networks. I've got cash in hand waiting to buy an iPhone 4; the issue is that it's my left hand and I'm not buying until this is resolved...
(Take a look at Photo zoom - GSMArena.com, and as you can see, the antennas are exposed (and miraculously insulated - Nokia must have revived Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, Isaac Newton and hired every single current student and alumni of every single university in the world, tapped every single think tank in existence to invent such a clever solution!), so when wet palm presses hard against the antenna, it should show the same issue as iPhone 4.)
Epic engineering fail time, Apple!
+1
Spot on
I personally wouldn't get the phone because I don't like the shape; I don't think its particularly good to hold and I much prefer my 3G
I'm sorry but if you own an iPhone4 now, I would be eagerly waiting for the recall notice tomorrow.
Nope I'm not, I'm a proud (right -handed) iPhone 4 owner and I couldn't care less what Apple announce tomorrow, my iPhone 4 is fine thanks. There is no-way they are going to recall every phone, there's already millions out there and it would just cost far too much (and take forever to do). The most that will be offered IMO is an iOS update and possibly a free bumper (or refund of already bought bumper) to those who want one.
Saying you need 2GB to run Vista properly is exactly the same as saying the iPhone needs a bumper to work properly! If Windows 7 can run fine on 1GB (and it does just that) then Vista should easily have been able to run on that or less.
No, it really isn't. Microsoft licenses it's software to hardware manufacturers - they have no control over how much RAM buyers choose to buy and manufacturers choose to offer. Apple makes the hardware and has total control over design and manufacture; if a solution is required, there damn well ought to be one included.
Says who? Vista was a world apart from XP, and a much more powerful OS. With little experience of optimizing such a system, it's not really surprising that at launch Vista was even more resource hungry than anticipated. Windows 7, which is basically Vista rebooted, is the product of an extra three years of development and feedback. That's why it's better optimized.
How can you be a proud owner of a phone that doesn't work as it should do? Straight out of the box, even.
You have been ripped off, and Apple don't even care.
It doesn't matter if you care or not about the signal drops; it should be about what is right and wrong.
It is WRONG, that Apple has sold these phones, hyping them up so much, and then being released with a fault. A very major fault. Who cares how much money it costs Apple? It should be in their service as a company to accept faulty model returns.
Look at this report here for example: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/yes-the-iphone-4-is-broken-no-the-iphone-4-is-not-broken/
If the issue was as massive as some people make out there would be far more complaints.
I'll watch what happens on friday with interest, but I'm not too concerned either way.
Nonissue is NOT no issue.
http://www.allmystery.de/dateien/gg48757,1239648027,haha_simpsons.jpg
I think what he's trying to say is that it's not really an issue for the people who actually own an iPhone 4 and aren't experiencing and problems (which from a lot of reports including that engadget article is not as many as is being made out).
It DOES seem to be an issue for the many people who don't even own an iPhone and just want to say their piece to anyone who will listen!
this video made by a best buy employee is pretty funny.. kind of sums up the android market
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Correct. The whole thing is something of a pissing contest between to dramatically opposed groups. Those people who have the phones in their hands for the most part seem very happy.
Belongs in awesome thread tbh. And the other one that takes the piss out of iPhone. ;)
He usually wrecks a phone every other week due to dust and debri on site so we will see how long it lasts.
Personally use a Bluetooth headset forcalls with mine
This furore is Apples own doing. If they cut back on spouting off their marketing propaganda about being the second coming to the technology world, impervious to flaw or weakness, all others are wrong/inferior in comparison, etc., they wouldn't find themselves getting such intense media scrutiny over this issue. They need to take this one on the chin and admit that yes, indeed there is a fault in some handsets, at take some accountability on the matter. Not try passing the buck by telling the consumer it's their problem because they aren't holding it correctly. Just because a lot of users report no issue, doesn't mean the issue doesn't exist.
As for Microsoft, I think showing some humility might be a good approach. Just because Apple are taking a level of criticism (perceived or otherwise) usually only reserved for their own products, they shouldn't be so quick to forget their own chequered past before twisting the knife. Sure it's amusing that they openly admit that Vista wasn't their defining moment, but a more humble approach towards Apples plight would have at least cut off an avenue for Apple deflect some of the heat.
Great phone?
No.
Great computing device for bespoke applications?
Yes.
Providing, that is, you have the signal to download and use them...
Depends which hand..
My missus just got one, on my recommendation. Had a play about with it in the shop - the screen's fantastic, all connections are spot-on (even 3G seems pretty sweet, and I'm not in an area of amazing coverage), and the touch-sensitive keyboard is well-spaced, complete with number pad. It's big, but not MASSIVE - you'll take some getting used to for the first few calls, but after that, it's a non-issue.
The only flaw I've spotted with it so far is it's in her pocket and not mine.
Edit: Although the general consensus in the community is the signal bar appearance is cosmetic. Whatever they changed it worked a treat for me :)
If your battery life drops then it's Apple's using more aggressive signal algorithms to grab the signal.
Will monitor ;)
Also like the way samsung are thinking by placing a projector in the top corner of some of their upcoming smartphones
But surely that will be just a gimmick to keep the kids happy? Well to start with, until the tech advances more. Kind of like when the first cameras appeared in phones - great for 2 minutes until the crappy pictures made you want a real camera. Has anyone here got one of those mini pocket projectors and can explain whether they are good or not? I was tempted to buy one about a year ago when I was in Staples, but I really struggled to think of absolutely any reason I would need one ...
Even if they did cause painful jeans-pocket related injuries.
So now apple is desperately trying to hack their own software fake a higher signal reading than is actually there. As said, it fixes nothing. So now those poor people will have their call dropped, yet the signal meter will fake a higher reading than is there. But hey, it's Apple, and 90% of apples users are brainwashed to the point that if it's shiny they will believe apple and no one else. What can you do...
Quite the opposite, but why let facts get in the way of your rant...
http://images.macrumors.com/article/2010/07/15/160322-signal_strength_rescaling.jpg
But hey, it's Apple and some users are brainwashed to the point that they will hate and suspect Apple no matter what. What can you do... Seriously: 1.7 million phones sold; if this was such an obvious issue there should have been hundreds of thousands of complaints.
Of course you can argue that Apple has itself to blame for hyping its product, but which company doesn't? Have you ever seen any other company presenting their mobile as "A really rather nice phone, if we say so ourselves, not bad at all"? Here is Nokia's response to Steve Jobs saying that they have antenna issues too:
The fact is also that everybody copies Apple's iOS and form factor. For a despised company, it sure gets a lot of flattery through imitation.
Apple is no saint, but then neither is any other company. The consumer is wise to stay impartial and buy the product that suits their needs best, and let everyone else do the same. Otherwise they are no different from football supporters kicking each others' heads in on the pitch based on what colour scarf they wear.
I, however, am getting sick of all the love/hate towards Apple. I wish neutral people would be more vocal about how neutral they are
kind of like the neutral people in Futurama
http://theinfosphere.org/images/thumb/9/9c/Neutral_President.jpg/225px-Neutral_President.jpg
This endless bash/love fest is annoying.
NEUTRALITY
Whereas you, of course, are highly informed on technology and know exactly what's what.
Here comes yet another AppleHater who needs therapy to move on.
Seriously, let the Apple lovers love their Apples. Get over it.
If I don't survive... Tell my wife "Hello". :)
Agreed on the endless cycle of Apple love/hate though. Totally sick of it.
I agree. I pretty much have stopped reading comments on any apple related article on any website. You can guarantee the following:
1. The first 20% of posts will be anti apple, even if it's apple giving 6billion pounds to everyone starving in the world.
2. 50% of the posts will be complaining about there being too much apple news on website x.
3. Then the rest will descend into a pointless argument. With any rational or sane person giving up.
*Stat's made up of course...
Ah Nexxo, still fighting the losing battle again I see!
It happens on about every website I've read in the last 6 months.