What I find interesting is that no one is asking the real questions here.
1 – How is it affecting the ability of the phone to work in a majority of real world instances. Half of the problem is AT&Ts network. People with strong signals can still make calls even with the antenna issue with no problem.
Which brings up #2
2 – Do the consumers even care? If they have seen zero change in service or even an uptick (for people like my father who couldn’t get a signal in his house but now can) what the hell does it matter? Even Engadget with its emotional readers and commenters can’t point to a substantial consumer backlash for the device. People are using their phones and not caring.
I believe there is alot of hype around this that shouldn’t be. Given that Consumer Reports can’t give a “Recommended Buy” to the iPhone4 but have it listed as the “Best Smartphone” followed by the 3Gs should be a dead give-away that this is just another sensational story meant to get eyes on webpages. Meanwhile, oil just stopped gushing in the gulf.
Here is my prediction for tomorrow and what Jobs will do.
1 – Introduce himself.
2 – talk about the iPhone 4 and how successful it has been. 3 million + units.
3 – say something about the antenna “has been *chuckle* an issue. I am sure you have heard.”
4 – bring out experts that explain antenna design and the issues.
5 – steve will say “okay if you want to bring back your iphone – please take it to the nearest Apple store we will exchange for a full refund. If you buy one and you don’t like the service bring it back. If you are happy keep it.” *What I don’t know is the whole AT&T side the story*
6 – Steve will throw in a bumper if people want it.
7 – Thank everyone and leave.
Now is the second part. WSJ and every other newspaper/magazine/blog will run a story asking “Did Apple Do Enough” and they will undoubtedly say “no” and quote un-named sources about how the whole ordeal.
People will move on. Apple stock might take a 2% – 3% hit for the day. And the next day no one will care and I will still buy mine regardless of tomorrow in a couple weeks.
