All About Symbian - Symbian, Nokia and S60 unwrapped.
Nokia prioritize antenna performance over design
Published by Steve Litchfield at 7:50 BST, July 17th 2010
As a follow-up to Apple's emergency iPhone 4 press conference yesterday, in which Steve Jobs claimed that all smartphones suffered from similar reception problems when held tightly (and also erroneously quoted Nokias as having "stickers on the back that say 'Don't touch here'"), Nokia has apparently responded with a statement, quoted below.
Nokia say:
"As we’ve all seen, Apple had mentioned Nokia in their press conference today regarding the iPhone4. I wanted to take a moment and send you a statement regarding Nokia’s own antenna design and function.
Antenna design is a complex subject and has been a core competence at Nokia for decades, across hundreds of phone models. Nokia was the pioneer in internal antennas; the Nokia 8810, launched in 1998, was the first commercial phone with this feature.
Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying human behavior, including how people hold their phones for calls, music playing, web browsing and so on. As you would expect from a company focused on connecting people, we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.
In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That’s why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design."
For what it's worth, I've never seen a sticker on any Nokia smartphone that matches what Steve Jobs said. I've also been gathering some data points via Twitter and reckon that, on average, most Nokias drop a bar or two when held tightly in both hands (i.e. worst case antenna coverage), which sounds about right. In contrast, the iPhone 4 tends to drop most of its signal because you're directly touching and bridging the two main RF antennae.
Jobs demonstrated similar signal loss on three non-Apple smartphones, but rather tellingly he didn't include anything from Nokia, Sony Ericsson or Motorola, the three industry giants who have been making 'phones' for a couple of decades. Apple did handle the issue of customer service quite well, in my view, offering penalty-free refunds and free 'bumper' cases, as appropriate. Whether these measures appease the baying for Apple blood remains to be seen, of course.
(via The Nokia Blog)
News Discussion
Dazzy
Steve think back to those phones that used to sit in a car cradle with the external aerial port on the back, did those not have stickers to that effect. Something like the 6310 maybe? would that be one?
ironass
So, the worlds most "magical, slimmest, smartphone" runs on a rubber band!
You couldn't make it up could you?
I can't wait for the steam powered iPhone.
I've never seen a sticker as mentioned on a Nokia handset.
You couldn't make it up could you?
I can't wait for the steam powered iPhone.
I've never seen a sticker as mentioned on a Nokia handset.
John G. Doe
Here is Steve's sticker: http://twitpic.com/25v8ky
Ratkat
Quote:
| Nokia prioritize antenna performance over design |
If Nokia had come close to handling the situation with the 'unfit for purpose' N97 (as it was at launch) as Apple have with iPhone 4, then they might still have me and lots of others as customers.
slitchfield
Oh absolutely. What I want is a device with Nokia's RF expertise and camera (incl Xenon flash), plus Apple's processor and RAM - and interface, plus Motorola's metal build quality - and Samsung's screens.
Not too much to ask, is it???
Not too much to ask, is it???
jamoiholland
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
Oh absolutely. What I want is a device with Nokia's RF expertise and camera (incl Xenon flash), plus Apple's processor and RAM - and interface, plus Motorola's metal build quality - and Samsung's screens.
Not too much to ask, is it??? |
Unregistered
I think the sticker that he was referring to is the basic "do not touch" stickers that are in user manuals. Just because most people don't bother to read them is no Steve Jobs' fault. However, while have multiple iPhones, I do feel that they will have to change the design. Not because of the intent of the design but because of the execution of the design. If Apple had gone with a simple covering of clear coat on the antenna, this would be a none issue, however they went with form over function.
Also, even with the flaw, polls have shown that people are happy with the iPhone, will still purchase an iPhone and are confident that in the end Apple will fix it. This is confidence that Nokia does not have. Never in product history has Nokia sold over a million "flagship" phones in less than 3 days. So even with a flawed design, bad PR, and stupid statements, Apple is still trumping Nokia where it counts. The consumers.
Also, even with the flaw, polls have shown that people are happy with the iPhone, will still purchase an iPhone and are confident that in the end Apple will fix it. This is confidence that Nokia does not have. Never in product history has Nokia sold over a million "flagship" phones in less than 3 days. So even with a flawed design, bad PR, and stupid statements, Apple is still trumping Nokia where it counts. The consumers.
mjbrown
I think Jon Snow of Channel 4 news has the best solution (last night's broadcast) to the iphone 4 antenna problem...
(http://bit.ly/bbm77R)
He said it used to work a treat for the old Ford Cortinas!
(http://bit.ly/bbm77R)
He said it used to work a treat for the old Ford Cortinas!
doonit
Doen't matter what Nokia says in retaliation. Your iBunnies won't even read it!! Jesus Jobs will have the final word for his cult to swallow up.
Ratkat
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
Oh absolutely. What I want is a device with Nokia's RF expertise and camera (incl Xenon flash), plus Apple's processor and RAM - and interface, plus Motorola's metal build quality - and Samsung's screens.
Not too much to ask, is it??? |
Unregistered
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Unregistered
I think the sticker that he was referring to is the basic "do not touch" stickers that are in user manuals. Just because most people don't bother to read them is no Steve Jobs' fault. However, while have multiple iPhones, I do feel that they will have to change the design. Not because of the intent of the design but because of the execution of the design. If Apple had gone with a simple covering of clear coat on the antenna, this would be a none issue, however they went with form over function.
Also, even with the flaw, polls have shown that people are happy with the iPhone, will still purchase an iPhone and are confident that in the end Apple will fix it. This is confidence that Nokia does not have. Never in product history has Nokia sold over a million "flagship" phones in less than 3 days. So even with a flawed design, bad PR, and stupid statements, Apple is still trumping Nokia where it counts. The consumers. |
I wonder who's the most stupid here, you or Jobs.
FYI, Nokia's "user manuals" do not contain any "stickers", only "written" information .
Unregistered
For what it's worth, I just tried blocking the signal of my 5800 XM -- oddly enough, even after days of reading about the iPhone issue I never bothered to try. I could easily reduce it from full signal to about 20% signal by covering it tightly. Holding it in my normal fashion reduces signal only slightly (1 bar). This only happened in 3G mode; the first time I tried it, the phone actually dropped to 2G and I measured no signal drop whatsoever. Anyway, at least for 3G+5800XM I find it hard to believe that the average for a "death grip" would be one or two bars.
My ideal phone would use a high res transflective screen that is readable in daylight. The comparison between iPad and Pixel Qi screen is pretty convincing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgQuLPNP1QU
My ideal phone would use a high res transflective screen that is readable in daylight. The comparison between iPad and Pixel Qi screen is pretty convincing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgQuLPNP1QU
Davescot
Nokia prioritize antenna
performance over design.
I disagree with that. If that were the case they wouldn't have been stupid enough to place the X6's wifi antenna at the bottom left of the phone this results in the X6 having extremely poor wifi performance. I really am getting fed up with my X6 losing wifi signal in places where my N95 and N79 work fine. X6 in my back garden = no wifi signal, N79 in same place 40-60% strength. As for the X6's cellular performance' well thats even worse. It's quite normal for my X6 to drop from 5-6 bars down to no signal after picking it up. Bloody annoying. I disagree with antennas at the bottom of the phone.
performance over design.
I disagree with that. If that were the case they wouldn't have been stupid enough to place the X6's wifi antenna at the bottom left of the phone this results in the X6 having extremely poor wifi performance. I really am getting fed up with my X6 losing wifi signal in places where my N95 and N79 work fine. X6 in my back garden = no wifi signal, N79 in same place 40-60% strength. As for the X6's cellular performance' well thats even worse. It's quite normal for my X6 to drop from 5-6 bars down to no signal after picking it up. Bloody annoying. I disagree with antennas at the bottom of the phone.
slitchfield
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Anyway, at least for 3G+5800XM I find it hard to believe that the average for a "death grip" would be one or two bars.
|
carman58
I am no way an Apple fan, but I honestly thought the response was extremely good, from a customer service point of view I really can't see what else they could have done. As an N97 user I wish Nokia had had a similar attitude to my handset, which they appear to be hoping is an issue that will simply go away !! OK so Apple produce ONE handset and as such there product should be 'perfect' , Nokia produce hundreds and so there may be the odd mistake, but I would have thought a little more R & D would have taken place with a 'Flagship' device.
Because I'm a 'mug' I'm prepared to give them one more chance to produce a market leading phone (hopefully the one after the N8) if they don't I will very probably venture to Android, and Nokia will have lost another loyal user and supporter :frown:
Despite disliking Apple, you cannot knock there customer service !!
Because I'm a 'mug' I'm prepared to give them one more chance to produce a market leading phone (hopefully the one after the N8) if they don't I will very probably venture to Android, and Nokia will have lost another loyal user and supporter :frown:
Despite disliking Apple, you cannot knock there customer service !!
Bulakbuk
Tsk, tsk tsk....
It's always people and their woes like RAM, GPS, WI-FI, and all those features that are integrated on some phones.
First, let's get one thing clear; the issue is the Antennae of the iP4 and not anything else. Some Folks would comment on their phones having this kind of RAM or Faulty GPS and as such - but the core issue here is the Reception of the iP4 and not it's RAM or GPS etc... So please people stop yapping about your non-antennae related burdens.
To begin with, as with all other functionality, the main purpose of a mobile phone is to make and recieve calls, Period. If you want to throw in the SMS/MMS core then so be it. But no matter how advanced a unit is, it is simply useless if it cant be reliable on the main purpose it was built on!
iPhone4 is indeed a great phone. A very amazing phone at that, and I would be lying if I say that I didn't want one. But I have to be realistic, all of us for that matter and understand what the main issue here is all about.
I understand people's frustrations when it comes to limitations of their phones like RAM and such, but please - the topic here is about Cellular reception.
Tacsiyapo!
It's always people and their woes like RAM, GPS, WI-FI, and all those features that are integrated on some phones.
First, let's get one thing clear; the issue is the Antennae of the iP4 and not anything else. Some Folks would comment on their phones having this kind of RAM or Faulty GPS and as such - but the core issue here is the Reception of the iP4 and not it's RAM or GPS etc... So please people stop yapping about your non-antennae related burdens.
To begin with, as with all other functionality, the main purpose of a mobile phone is to make and recieve calls, Period. If you want to throw in the SMS/MMS core then so be it. But no matter how advanced a unit is, it is simply useless if it cant be reliable on the main purpose it was built on!
iPhone4 is indeed a great phone. A very amazing phone at that, and I would be lying if I say that I didn't want one. But I have to be realistic, all of us for that matter and understand what the main issue here is all about.
I understand people's frustrations when it comes to limitations of their phones like RAM and such, but please - the topic here is about Cellular reception.
Tacsiyapo!
slitchfield
It does rather spark me to wonder what Nokia could or should have done for the N97 in similar vein. I guess the woes there were too drawn out and not so immediately obvious. i.e. we had the initial RAM problems. Then those got addressed and we had patches and updates that meant disk C: was then too small. And that was all over 6 months.
Scratched camera glass and faulty GPS antenna were both sorted out at Nokia Care Points though.
Having said all this, wouldn't it be great if Nokia did something to promote goodwill, along the lines of "Show a valid receipt for your old N97 classic and we'll knock £100 off the price of a new N8 or XX" (where XX is the top secret model I'm err.. not allowed to mention)? How about it, Anssi?
Scratched camera glass and faulty GPS antenna were both sorted out at Nokia Care Points though.
Having said all this, wouldn't it be great if Nokia did something to promote goodwill, along the lines of "Show a valid receipt for your old N97 classic and we'll knock £100 off the price of a new N8 or XX" (where XX is the top secret model I'm err.. not allowed to mention)? How about it, Anssi?
davidmaxwaterma
If I were a company that sold cases for the iPhone4, I would be severely pissed off. I wonder if there are any legal proceedings brewing...
viipottaja
Steve, £100? There would go all of the profit (likely more) Nokia makes on a N8 for potentially millions of units. :)
slitchfield
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by viipottaja
Steve, £100? There would go all of the profit (likely more) Nokia makes on a N8 for potentially millions of units. :)
|
It's not about profit here - Nokia made the profit on original N97 purchases. As Steve Jobs says, it's now about ensuring that customers are kept happy and the brand name is restored.
viipottaja
Well I am willing to bet there would be many more people than that. And obviously they could not inform about it only through geek channels - doing that would only expose them to more critique. But the debate is moot as it will not happen. :)
ironass
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
XX" (where XX is the top secret model I'm err.. not allowed to mention)?
|
Give us a clue... is it "N" or "E" or "??"?
Is it Symbian or MeeGo?
Will it be out 2nd quarter 2011?
Will it be rubber band powered (oops, sorry!)?
Unregistered
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
Having said all this, wouldn't it be great if Nokia did something to promote goodwill, along the lines of "Show a valid receipt for your old N97 classic and we'll knock £100 off the price of a new N8 or XX" (where XX is the top secret model I'm err.. not allowed to mention)? How about it, Anssi?
|
As for goodwill, the main gesture we need to see is N8 upgradeable to S^4. MyNokiaBlog.com did a poll and out of nearly 700 replies, well over 90% said they really wanted an N8 but failure to have the upgrade to S^4 option would be a deal-killer.
Unregistered
"Nokia prioritize antenna performance over design"
I AM NO SURE OF THIS.......
CHECK IT OUT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1BEWCeVvuA (SEE THE SIGNAL BAR)
AND IT'S NOT A SINGLE CASE.....
I AM NO SURE OF THIS.......
CHECK IT OUT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1BEWCeVvuA (SEE THE SIGNAL BAR)
AND IT'S NOT A SINGLE CASE.....
Unregistered
Well, it shouldn't be news to anyone that if you shield any RF antenna you can affect its performance. Even the highest gain broadcast antenna can be rendered useless by a carefully designed faraday cage. It is unreasonable to expect a phone to withstand shielding by being wrappes in a human hand.
But normal grip where you hold a phone to your ear should have very little effect. If it does in this case then that's just schoolboy error. The basic fundamental function of a phone is to make voice calls, this should be got right.
It's worth noting that if you are in a borderline reception location, even without touching the phone you can get signal strength variation due to multipath.
Using a rubber band to bodge out the problem pretty crap. I'll wait until the problem is fixed. I have not yet been suckered by the cult.
But normal grip where you hold a phone to your ear should have very little effect. If it does in this case then that's just schoolboy error. The basic fundamental function of a phone is to make voice calls, this should be got right.
It's worth noting that if you are in a borderline reception location, even without touching the phone you can get signal strength variation due to multipath.
Using a rubber band to bodge out the problem pretty crap. I'll wait until the problem is fixed. I have not yet been suckered by the cult.
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