iPhone

During Friday's iPhone 4 press conference, Apple CEO Steve Jobs offered a very brief glimpse inside immense padded rooms that make up the company's antenna testing and design labs. According to Jobs, and to statistics posted later on Apple's Web site, the labs consist of 17 antenna characterization, or "anecohoic," chambers that are used to measure overall antenna performance. Various equipment simulates cellular towers, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth device, and GPS satellites, and the phones are tested in a variety of positions including free space and next to human dummies and real people. The carbon foam … Read more

Apple CEO Steve Jobs likely quieted the outrage over the antenna issues surrounding the iPhone 4, but he sure didn't have fun doing it.

A clearly annoyed Jobs took the stage at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino Friday to announce that all iPhone 4 users would be receiving a free case to solve reception issues caused by the phone's exterior-antenna design. Apple's first response to the outcry was to change the way it displayed signal strength on the iPhone to give users more confidence in the accuracy of the signal, but Jobs acknowledged Friday that AT&… Read more

I come from the PalmPilot school of gadgetry, which means I like my PDAs, MP3 players, and phones to sit upright, proudly, in a dock when they're pulling desk duty. Otherwise they're just flopping around, along with their sync cables.

Alas, Apple doesn't bundle docks with iPhones and iPods, so it's up to third-party vendors to fill the void.

The Konnet Reflex Dock Pro fills it nicely, if a little expensively. This stylish, lightweight plastic stand is compatible with nearly all models, from the iPhone 4 on down to the iPod Classic. And it does more … Read more

Jason Chen, the Gizmodo editor whose computer equipment was seized in April as part of an investigation into a missing prototype iPhone 4, has voluntarily agreed to turn over information to authorities.

The agreement between Chen and the San Mateo County District Attorney's office, which calls for the DA to drop attempts to search Chen's property, puts an end to the dispute over whether the search of Chen's computer gear was lawful. The settlement also provides the DA's office with the information it sought from Chen, said Chief Dep. District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe in an interview … Read more

Updated at 12:08 p.m. with additional information.

Apple plans to give iPhone 4 users a free case in hopes of satisfying concerns about the design of its antenna and signal problems.

CEO Steve Jobs made the announcement (click here for the live blog) during a press conference at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Friday morning in response to a public-relations crisis over signal issues reported with the iPhone 4, which was unveiled in June. iPhone 4 owners will apply for the free bumper (a case that protects just the outer rim of the phone) online at Apple'… Read more

Wilson kicks of this morning's episode of The 404 Podcast with a glowing review of Chris Nolan's newest movie, "Inception." After watching an advanced IMAX screening last night, Wilson has several tips that'll make the experience even better, and don't worry folks--it's all SPOILER FREE! You have our guarantee that nothing of importance will come out of Wilson's mouth in this episode.

Wilson attests that "Inception" is certainly a cerebral film, but not one that leaves the audience feeling confused or asking a bunch of questions, like "Synecdoche." … Read more

In response to the uproar over spotty reception for new iPhone 4, Apple CEO Steve Jobs spoke Friday to defend the company's handling of the matter.

One takeaway: Buyers of the iPhone 4 will be getting free cases to help prevent users' grip on the phone from weakening the signals carrying conversations. Jobs said Apple cannot make enough of the bumpers that some people have been buying, so it is working with third parties to get the cases for users.

If you're still not happy, Jobs said, "you can bring your iPhone back within 30 days for … Read more

As Apple sorts out its iPhone 4 antenna issues, we're giving away a case that's not only superslick but allegedly solves any and all reception problems. Element Case has made some high-end, high-stylin' protective cases for earlier iPhone models, and now it has one for the iPhone 4: The Vapor.

According to Element Case, the The Vapor "consists of a solid, CNCd aluminum frame made from aircraft-grade metals lined with a new, shock-absorbent liner material to protect and stylize."

The Vapor comes in black, pink, green, blue, and comes with--or without--a full carbon-fiber backplate. Winner gets … Read more

Amid the swirling controversy surrounding iPhone 4's now infamous antenna engineering, Consumer Reports, which recently found the reception problems from Apple's latest smartphone to be a flaw disallowing it to recommend purchase, has stated that the Bumper case offered by Apple would solve those issues.

"With the Bumper fitted, we repeated the test procedure, placing a finger on the Bumper at the point at which it covers the gap below. The result was a negligible drop in signal strength--so slight that it would not have any effect, in our judgment."

Earlier tests, sans Bumper, caused Consumer … Read more