Software Fix for Death Grip Still Possible?

**Paul Daniel Ash** · 07-16-2010, 10:35 AM

A New York Times story, quoting a "person with direct knowledge of the phone’s design," said yesterday that the problem was not strictly a hardware issue but rather a "complex interaction between specialized communications software and the antenna." These statements have led a number of observers to wonder if the so-called Death Grip problem might yet be fixed through a software update. The New York Times's source made it clear, however, that there would be no recall.

The problem is generally considered to be a result of either the antenna or transceiver detuning when you touch both the GSM antenna and the WiFi/Bluetooth one where they come together on the bottom left. Like twisting the frequency knob on your car radio, the signal gets worse when it's out of tune. As has been repeatedly noted, the human body has this effect on all handheld radios, but it's dealt with to a greater or lesser degree through software. According to the person the New York Times spoke to, the unusual placement of the iPhone 4's antennas "exposed a longstanding weakness in the basic communications software inside Apple’s phones," which caused the reception issues rather than a hardware flaw per se. If this is true, then it's possible for the problem to be fixed in a future firmware release. The source, however, didn't specifically allude to any such release coming soon or whether it was even in the works.

Apple will presumably outline their response to the issue at their press conference, at 10am Pacific Time today. Though nothing is yet known about what will be discussed, the New York Times report says that Apple will not announce a recall of the phone, an assertion that is echoed up by a separate anonymous source being quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

Stay detuned.

Source: MacRumors

**Micara57** · 07-16-2010, 10:38 AM

I just dont see how software can fix an obvious short in the hardware.

**kick** · 07-16-2010, 10:38 AM

we have to wait and see

**adp** · 07-16-2010, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by martinrice

First c(ouldn't help it)

It'll be interesting to see what apple come up with

It's not only your second post of FAIL, but you're also second. I guess you FAIL at FAILING

Back on topic, I don't see software fixing this issue at all. We'll have to wait and see what Apple says. I'm hoping all the "free bumper" people are wrong, as it serves no purpose for me.

**jayson9** · 07-16-2010, 10:45 AM

I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go........ just hope I don't need to use my iiiiiiiiiii...Phone.

Excuse me sir, can I borrow your DROID?

**kuhndsn** · 07-16-2010, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by martinrice

First c(ouldn't help it)

It'll be interesting to see what apple come up with

"Couldn't help it"? Try and try harder to resist the urge to Failing!

If you are going to post the dumb and irrelevant 1st post at least be 1st!!!

Posting 1st = noob and degenerate
Posting 1st while being a noob = dumb
posting 1st and not being 1st = complete retarded...

for all others use mastercard I mean commonsense...

:-)

Originally Posted by Micara57

I just dont see how software can fix an obvious short in the hardware.

Anything is possible... Look at your own quote... "its only impossible if your quit"

**sziklassy** · 07-16-2010, 11:03 AM

Nearly every response to this thread has actually been a response to the guy responding "first". Good job feeding the trolls kids!

And for what it's worth, all people generally say is "first". Technically speaking this can be referring to first to reply. This would actually make all of you who responded the failures. Why let it work you up though? Why not just... I don't know... ignore it and move on? Well, guess I am also guilty of not doing that too well

**HitNWakes** · 07-16-2010, 11:05 AM

Well, either way the antenna’s & ground-bottom of the phone is in a bad spot. They should have corrected the location when they had the chance. Sure SW could change the algorithm response but that is still just masking the problem. They could have even tuned the antenna to work better when held in your hand. Your body could act as an antenna!

**frozenra1n** · 07-16-2010, 11:07 AM

How would a software fix solve a physical problem?

**adp** · 07-16-2010, 11:10 AM

**robertr1** · 07-16-2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by frozenra1n

How would a software fix solve a physical problem?

It's easy they just have a software update that always displays full bars no matter how bad the reception is. That way they can just tell you they don't know why it's dropping calls and not connecting to the internet, look at the bars they're full.

But seriously unless the software can move and change hardware it can't fix a hardware issue...

**kuhndsn** · 07-16-2010, 11:13 AM

Just like a lot of people were saying... haha hmmm haters... None the less... patience is bliss... Oh and someone call the Stupid senator to call all the cell phone CEO's. Amazing how no one was listening to a lot of blogs and posts on this site with regards to the effects on other phones as well... ITS A CELL PHONE AREA 51 COVERUP... Retards....

**bobright** · 07-16-2010, 11:16 AM

******** chatter i dont see no solution

**adp** · 07-16-2010, 11:20 AM

Wow. He's trying to prove that all phones do this. Unbelievable.

**kuhndsn** · 07-16-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by robertr1

It's easy they just have a software update that always displays full bars no matter how bad the reception is. That way they can just tell you they don't know why it's dropping calls and not connecting to the internet, look at the bars they're full.

But seriously unless the software can move and change hardware it can't fix a hardware issue...

Not a 100% accurate. As posted rev... our gps systems on expel systems had same issues and after a lot of research the software was all we needed to fix the issue... Not saying it will work here because I am no cell phone expert but it is possible...

**c1ockwerk** · 07-16-2010, 11:21 AM

reading each comment on this article just dropped my intelligence.

**Chityuulay** · 07-16-2010, 11:22 AM

stop comparing phones! solve the problems !

**adp** · 07-16-2010, 11:23 AM

0.55% complained about this. Who cares! Then give us all new phones! WOW I cannot believe what I'm seeing.

**kuhndsn** · 07-16-2010, 11:24 AM

WOW i would have thought it would be more beings all the freaking crying going on.... Oh yeah about 50% of the crying was by people that don't even own the i4 yet...

10:22AM "In the early days of the iPhone 3GS return rates were 6%... below the average, we were happy with that... so for the iPhone 4? You think half the people must be returning their phones with what you read online... well it's 1.7% -- less than a third of the 3GS returns."

**c1ockwerk** · 07-16-2010, 11:25 AM

is there an online stream of this?

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Thread: Software Fix for Death Grip Still Possible?

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