Meet the iPhone 4’s latest accessory: a “bumper” marketed by Apple to add a “touch of style” to the smartphone, which consumers have criticized for its signal-loss problem. Researchers have found that the bumper may be a fix for this issue and reduce the problematic drop in signal strength that has instigated consumer complaints about the product.
The $29 plastic and rubber cases were found to fix the problem – significant signal loss when the consumer covered a small, sensitive area on the bottom left portion of the phone – researchers at Consumers Union announced in a blog post on their Consumer Reports website after testing the bumpers.
After testing three iPhones purchased in three different locations in a controlled environment, the phones would all experience a significant drop in signal strength when the sensitive area was covered, The Epoch Times previously reported.
Consumer Reports previously determined that the iPhone was unworthy of its recommendation because of this problem – despite the high ratings the phone received in other Consumers Report categories – The Epoch Times reported.
With the bumper fitted, however, all three iPhones experienced negligible signal loss, according to the blog post.
Consumer Report also suggested placing duct tape over the spot as an unattractive, inexpensive fix to the signal loss problem.
“[T]hese options all put the onus on consumers to solve or pay for a fix,” the blog post said. “We’re still calling on Apple to provide an acceptable free solution to the iPhone 4’s signal-loss problem.”
Apple will discuss the iPhone 4 at a press conference on Friday. There is speculation that the company will announce a bumper giveaway as a response to the suggestion made by Consumer Reports to take responsibility away from the consumer for finding a fix for the problem, according to Computer World.
The $29 plastic and rubber cases were found to fix the problem – significant signal loss when the consumer covered a small, sensitive area on the bottom left portion of the phone – researchers at Consumers Union announced in a blog post on their Consumer Reports website after testing the bumpers.
After testing three iPhones purchased in three different locations in a controlled environment, the phones would all experience a significant drop in signal strength when the sensitive area was covered, The Epoch Times previously reported.
Consumer Reports previously determined that the iPhone was unworthy of its recommendation because of this problem – despite the high ratings the phone received in other Consumers Report categories – The Epoch Times reported.
With the bumper fitted, however, all three iPhones experienced negligible signal loss, according to the blog post.
Consumer Report also suggested placing duct tape over the spot as an unattractive, inexpensive fix to the signal loss problem.
“[T]hese options all put the onus on consumers to solve or pay for a fix,” the blog post said. “We’re still calling on Apple to provide an acceptable free solution to the iPhone 4’s signal-loss problem.”
Apple will discuss the iPhone 4 at a press conference on Friday. There is speculation that the company will announce a bumper giveaway as a response to the suggestion made by Consumer Reports to take responsibility away from the consumer for finding a fix for the problem, according to Computer World.
