Motorola has antennagate issues
16 August 2010, 06:02 PM
#1
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Motorola has antennagate issues
takes the light off apple for a while 
http://www.redmondpie.com/motorola-d...ing-the-phone/
Unless you have been living under a rock or something, you already know what Antennagate is all about. The problem came into light when iPhone 4 was launched in June of this year. It occurs when you hold your phone in a way which covers the antenna, resulting in signal loss, poor reception and dropped calls. And now the latest Android sensation of Verizon, the newly released Motorola Droid 2 falls victim to it.
According to MobileCrunch, Droid 2 users are facing the Antennagate problem and the weird part is that it happens without even touching the phone. Users are constantly noticing fluctuating bars from time to time during normal usage, and it’s not happening because of phone being held wrong, it happens even when it’s just lying around on a table. But the problem is not common among all Droid 2 users, some have reported that their device is working fine for them.
iPhone 4 problem was fixed (or partially fixed) by either holding the phone in a different position, using a case or a bumper which was given by Apple for free, and by updating to new iOS 4.0.1 / 4.0.2 software update, but since Droid 2 is dropping signals even without touching the phone, the problem seems more complicated and technical here for Motorola and Verizon. So what are they going to do to resolve it? Send out a software update to fix the algorithm which calculates the signal bars like Apple did? Or replace the handsets with brand new ones? [via MobileCrunch]
According to MobileCrunch, Droid 2 users are facing the Antennagate problem and the weird part is that it happens without even touching the phone. Users are constantly noticing fluctuating bars from time to time during normal usage, and it’s not happening because of phone being held wrong, it happens even when it’s just lying around on a table. But the problem is not common among all Droid 2 users, some have reported that their device is working fine for them.
iPhone 4 problem was fixed (or partially fixed) by either holding the phone in a different position, using a case or a bumper which was given by Apple for free, and by updating to new iOS 4.0.1 / 4.0.2 software update, but since Droid 2 is dropping signals even without touching the phone, the problem seems more complicated and technical here for Motorola and Verizon. So what are they going to do to resolve it? Send out a software update to fix the algorithm which calculates the signal bars like Apple did? Or replace the handsets with brand new ones? [via MobileCrunch]
17 August 2010, 12:55 PM
#3
I think alot of phones suffer from it. I know my Samsung does. One minute its 4 bars, then a second later it drops to 1 or no signal without moving the phone. I assumed it was a dodgy contact between the PCBs (if anyone has disassembled a phone, they'll know what I mean 
), but maybe its an actual design fault with the way its held?
I also think the software on many phones give a optimistic false or inaccurate signal readings (i.e giving 4 out of 5 bars when signal is really only 25%), so that it gets good review ratings. Much like many quoting upto 400hours standby which most smart phones alledge to be capeable of...tell me one modern smartphone that comes close to 400hours (thats 16 days) standby?
TBH I think the industry needs shaking up with the measurments of each phone's technical ability regarding signal and battery life. Because manufacturers (and network providers) are just bullsh**ting us. Standardised DIN or EN test methods should be made to sort it out.
(although I know in other areas its been proven to be just as easy to bulls**t with false figures....Hi-Fi ouput ratings and vehicle MPG being two classic examples).
), but maybe its an actual design fault with the way its held?I also think the software on many phones give a optimistic false or inaccurate signal readings (i.e giving 4 out of 5 bars when signal is really only 25%), so that it gets good review ratings. Much like many quoting upto 400hours standby which most smart phones alledge to be capeable of...tell me one modern smartphone that comes close to 400hours (thats 16 days) standby?
TBH I think the industry needs shaking up with the measurments of each phone's technical ability regarding signal and battery life. Because manufacturers (and network providers) are just bullsh**ting us. Standardised DIN or EN test methods should be made to sort it out.
(although I know in other areas its been proven to be just as easy to bulls**t with false figures....Hi-Fi ouput ratings and vehicle MPG being two classic examples).
Last edited by ALi-B; 17 August 2010 at 01:02 PM.
17 August 2010, 04:50 PM
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I can honestly say i have never noticed the phenomenon on my HTC, but i do hold the phone a pretty unorthadox type of way.
Phone in right hand and held up to the right ear
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17 August 2010, 06:18 PM
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18 August 2010, 01:35 PM
#9
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If you can't make your HTC phone lose signal, try holding it differently, works with iPhones.
18 August 2010, 06:18 PM
#10
I think it all dates back the computer/console era of the 80 and 90s. My Amiga is better than your ST, and my C64 is better than your Speccy and anyone with a BBC Micro at home was deemed to be the IT teacher's **se kisser. These people are now all in their 30s, and just as **** (me included
however, I try to keep an open mind). The ones who are in their 20's are just brainwashed IMO.
Last edited by ALi-B; 18 August 2010 at 06:20 PM.
18 August 2010, 07:27 PM
#12
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Don't forget the fan base, as huge as it is. Some of their followers just can't be reasoned with. Bit like Sony fanboys some really are very blinkered to other brands and what they have to offer.
I think it all dates back the computer/console era of the 80 and 90s. My Amiga is better than your ST, and my C64 is better than your Speccy and anyone with a BBC Micro at home was deemed to be the IT teacher's **se kisser. These people are now all in their 30s, and just as **** (me included however, I try to keep an open mind). The ones who are in their 20's are just brainwashed IMO.
I think it all dates back the computer/console era of the 80 and 90s. My Amiga is better than your ST, and my C64 is better than your Speccy and anyone with a BBC Micro at home was deemed to be the IT teacher's **se kisser. These people are now all in their 30s, and just as **** (me included
however, I try to keep an open mind). The ones who are in their 20's are just brainwashed IMO. 
nice one
19 August 2010, 06:53 AM
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What people dont really realise, is that they get "branded" by manufacturers, by various means, to brand a customer is like marketing gold, a branded punter will overlook any flaws, and will enthusiastically tell others about the plus points, the flaws do not exist, if they somehow manage to do, they dont effect normal use at all.
Going to try and hold the phone different as a test.
Left hand, held up to left ear
Thoughts, it feels a little weird, i feel like i am in the danger zone still works though 
Will give my body time to rest and maybe try the right hand, held up to the left ear
Going to try and hold the phone different as a test.
Left hand, held up to left ear
Thoughts, it feels a little weird, i feel like i am in the danger zone
still works though Will give my body time to rest and maybe try the right hand, held up to the left ear
19 August 2010, 09:25 AM
#16
Seems a little worse than the IP4 The Motorola drops both wifi and 3g signal as and when it feels like it. No official word fron either Motorola or Verizon but some users seem to be having success by using an available app called 'wifi keep alive' which could point to the problem being s/w rather than h/w and could be fixed by a s/w update 
The Motorola drops both wifi and 3g signal as and when it feels like it. No official word fron either Motorola or Verizon but some users seem to be having success by using an available app called 'wifi keep alive' which could point to the problem being s/w rather than h/w and could be fixed by a s/w update
19 August 2010, 10:19 AM
#17
Probably some sort of power management to save the battery, a common fault that is as old as the hills
I've lost count of the number of phones that have no signal in my house whilst in standby (won't even recieve calls), but after attempting to make a call or send a text, it suddenly regains a signal.
I've lost count of the number of phones that have no signal in my house whilst in standby (won't even recieve calls), but after attempting to make a call or send a text, it suddenly regains a signal.
19 August 2010, 12:31 PM
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The aerial system is a bit of a compromise with all of them by virtue of the basic design of the 'phone. The better type of aerial is probably a vertical one but that probably wont fit in with modern 'phone design so I imagine they use a dipole design around the edge of the casing. The electrical capacity of the hand can easily detune the aerial, especially if the hand is covering the two dipole ends. I can detune one of my ham radio aerials just by putting my hand close to it.
If the signal strength varies while the phone is sitting on the table not being touched it is very likely due to blanking of the signal maybe even by passing traffic. I notice a similar effect on my FM radio when a bus goes past. I only use the inbuilt radio aerial so the signal reception can easily be affected.
You have to expect such variation if the design of the phone dictates an inferior aerial.
Les
If the signal strength varies while the phone is sitting on the table not being touched it is very likely due to blanking of the signal maybe even by passing traffic. I notice a similar effect on my FM radio when a bus goes past. I only use the inbuilt radio aerial so the signal reception can easily be affected.
You have to expect such variation if the design of the phone dictates an inferior aerial.
Les
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