Thursday, August 19, 2010

Buyer Beware: iPhone 4 changes everything. Again. and Again. and Again. and Again. and Again.

Below are some iPhone issues I found to watch out for. Maybe take a minute (or five, like I did) and go over it with a fine-tooth comb to see if you notice anything "not quite right."

1. Dead pixel (After about a month of use)
2. Dust behind glass
3. Stalled in "Restore Mode" when I tried to cancel a software update
4. Small dent in aluminum frame
5. Glue protruding from paper-thin gap at the edge of glass
6. Glue on aluminum frame (easy enough to rub off, so I did)

With each new phone came a new challenge. Most issues I found with mine were aesthetic, but if I'm paying $300 for a phone, I want that thing to be perfect.

I'm on iPhone 4 #6! Apple has been very gracious though this whole process, especially Eric at the Aspen Grove store here in CO. No questions, just swapped it out--twice. :-)

Pushing Apple's Buttons: iPhone 4 split volume buttons not as good as single volume button


The first design flaw I noticed on the iPhone 4 is the separate volume buttons. Because the up/down volume buttons are split (and so far apart), it's difficult to tell if I'm on the volume up button or the volume down button.

I have to feel around for the second button to 'see' if I'm on the top button or the bottom button.

Apple, please go back to a single saddle-button solution (as on the original iPhone or feel free to use my design--after we talk about royalties):
Top section: volume up.
Bottom section: volume down.