Originally published in the gdgt newsletter, sign up at gdgt.com/newsletter/
Whether or not you've experienced the iPhone 4's famed death grip, or even believe it's a real phenomenon (and based on extensive personal experience I can assure you that it is), the whole Antennagate scandal undoubtedly left a deep scratch on the iPhone's squeaky-clean sheen. As we all now know, the story ended with a semi-contrite Steve explaining how all cellphones have "weak spots" and that iPhone 4 customers upset with their device's wireless performance would be entitled to a free iPhone case. The offer has since expired, but it had the desired effect: people pretty quickly shut up about the issue, and Apple got back to the business of selling a LOT of iPhones.
But there's another issue brewing behind the scenes that's sent Apple's iPhone engineering team back into the bunker for preemptive damage control. If you've been into an Apple Store (or visited Apple's site) recently, you might have caught a hint while browsing iPhone 4 cases (or lack thereof). Although Apple has just this week reestablished a wide variety of cases for sale, as of only a couple of days ago the only iPhone 4 case Apple even so much as mentioned on its site was its own first-party Bumper -- and still conspicuously absent from its lineup are slide-on cases. As it turns out, was by no means a cynical ploy to maximize profits.
See, the interesting thing about how Apple works is they make money on all angles of the ecosystem. Similar to how Apple acts as the gatekeeper for the software it sells in the App Store and then takes a cut of that software's revenues, Apple also officially licenses third-party companies to make accessories for its various products (which are designated MFI, as in: "Made for iPhone," "Made for iPad," "Made for iPod," etc.), often selling those accessories in its Apple Stores.
Although the numbers have never been disclosed, Apple supposedly gets 10-15% off the top of all officially licensed MFI accessories (in recent years this has said to have changed to a flat rate per accessory). Giving Apple a cut hurts margins, but it also opens up a big opportunity: if Apple chooses to carry your officially licensed product, it will give it shelf space in one of the highest grossing retail chains (per square foot) in the world. Of course, if Apple sells your gear in the Store, that means they also get to take another hefty cut of that margin (as would any retailer); it may sting, but as it happens most companies are desperate to have their products sold in the Apple Store, and begrudgingly put up with Apple double-dipping on their margins (in no small part because competition in the accessories business is so fierce these days).
Naturally, this is really good business for Apple. It means that the highly lucrative accessories market is even more profitable for Apple than any other individual company since they're skimming off the top of every licensed product sold -- which is part of the reason it was so bizarre to see so few iPhone accessories sold for the first time in years, and at a moment when Apple is selling more iPhones than ever before. Yes, the free case program could have had something to do with this shift, but there's a huge market for cases outside the standard fare (like, say, those with integrated battery packs). If the absence of these accessories seems as strange to you as it does to me, well, there's a reason why.
According to my sources both inside and outside Apple, after Antennagate the iPhone engineering team identified another potential design flaw that appears to have sent them into lockdown, and has them working behind the scenes in what's been described to me as something of a quiet panic to preempt any further tarnishing the iPhone brand. Apple has apparently found that non-bumper style cases -- specifically those that slide onto the iPhone 4, which are occasionally prone to particulate matter getting caught between the rear of the phone and the case -- can cause unexpected scratching that could quickly develop into full-on cracking or even much larger fracturing of the entire rear pane of glass. To put it another way: Apple is afraid you might buy a standard slide-on iPhone case, put it on your phone, and then discover the next time you take it off that the entire back of your device has been shattered by no fault of your own.
So before things escalated out of control and they had "Glassgate" on their hands, Apple swiftly moved to block sales of nearly all third-party iPhone 4 cases from its stores (which it just this week reversed, but only online -- physical retail stores still aren't yet stocking cases). Internally, I've heard the iPhone team has grown to be very concerned by this issue with slide-on cases, and has created a lab and large new test program specifically to investigate this further. (If the bumper seemed like kind of an odd concept for a case when it was announced, now its design, which doesn't come in direct medial contact with either of the iPhone 4's glass surfaces, seems to make a lot more sense.)
In the mean time, many third-party manufacturers with slide-on cases are all but dead in the water; accessory companies that invested heavily in developing and shipping these iPhone 4 cases now find themselves waiting indefinitely to get their products back into their top sales channel: the Apple Store. And as you might expect, Apple hasn't exactly been to clear about when -- or even if -- it's going to get back to business as usual selling the full selection of iPhone 4 cases. It should also come as no surprise that Apple representatives declined to comment on this story.
And then there's the matter of all those iPhone 4 owners. Whether Apple likes it or not, slide-on cases iPhone 4 cases will continue to be sold, and many even bear the "Made for iPhone" mark, presumably licensed before it went into Glassgate-lockdown. Apple surely can't ignore any iPhone 4s cracked -- with a certain dash of irony -- by those users going out of their way to protect their phone from undue damage, but whether they will (or can) find a resolution to what the what the company is treating as another design flaw is yet to be seen. Either way, something tells me there's a pretty good chance next year's iPhone probably won't have any glass on its back.
Update / clarification here: gdgt.com/discuss/following-up-on-yesterdays-glassg...
Discussion about
With Antennagate over, is Glassgate next for the iPhone 4?
the phone will look brand new for a long time but you will never ever see it! the guy you sell it to in 2 years will sure enjoy it tho.. i dont get that mentality. You buy something to enjoy and use, but you wrap it all up in these cases and totally remove all design features.
Agreed. I bought the iPhone 4 for me to enjoy, in all of its glory. Feel that it's a shame to cover up something so beautiful.
I fully expect with normal wear and tear, some scratches will develop, and in two years time, well, I'll sell it at what the market deems its value to be. I will be happy however, that I had two year's worth of iPhone 4 enjoyment, rather than feeling like I kept it wrapped up like a baby, just for the next owner.
I fully expect with normal wear and tear, some scratches will develop, and in two years time, well, I'll sell it at what the market deems its value to be. I will be happy however, that I had two year's worth of iPhone 4 enjoyment, rather than feeling like I kept it wrapped up like a baby, just for the next owner.
I had 2 iphone 4s, one when it first came out, which I returned, and the one they exchanged. Got rid of it. Antenna issues were not the whole reason. Its an ugly phone and the "glass-tic" back is unacceptable. I dont put cases on my phone so whatever. The bumper was an insult I got one in the mail. It was about as impressive as a used condom. It was on my phone for about 5 minutes before I ripped it into tiny pieces and threw it away.
As someone who has owned 6-7 different iphones, the iPhone 4 finally cured me of my update-itis. If the next iPhone does not fix these issues and look good, Ill probably never buy another iphone after that point except used on craigslist. The gen 1 Im using works just fine and is much nicer looking and durable.
As someone who has owned 6-7 different iphones, the iPhone 4 finally cured me of my update-itis. If the next iPhone does not fix these issues and look good, Ill probably never buy another iphone after that point except used on craigslist. The gen 1 Im using works just fine and is much nicer looking and durable.
I scratched, nay, GOUGED the front of my iPhone4 within the first 2 weeks since they shipped. It was my own dumb fault - I put it in the wrong pocket of my bag by accident, and it apparently rubbed up against a pair of nail clippers.
I now have 2 parallel gouges about an inch long in the middle of the display. I only have myself to blame for it. Thankfully, under most circumstances the're not even noticable, and they haven't shown any signs of worsening.
Given the depth of my scratches, I would think if THAT didn't cause a fracture by now, then some particles caught inside a slide-on case would only cause some visual ugliness. Maybe if I leave my phone outside in the freezing-cold come winter time I would be concerned. For now I'm not worried that this would be a very common issue.
I now have 2 parallel gouges about an inch long in the middle of the display. I only have myself to blame for it. Thankfully, under most circumstances the're not even noticable, and they haven't shown any signs of worsening.
Given the depth of my scratches, I would think if THAT didn't cause a fracture by now, then some particles caught inside a slide-on case would only cause some visual ugliness. Maybe if I leave my phone outside in the freezing-cold come winter time I would be concerned. For now I'm not worried that this would be a very common issue.
No company intentionally designs their phones to be put inside a case, but the fact that some iPhones need it to even function highlights an interesting problem. Couple that with the fact that some of these said cases can actually cause damage to your iPhone, and it's a potentially huge problem.
people have had them in cases and out of cases since they came out. Please direct me to the forum where this horde of angry iphone users is hidden.
I personally don't have an iPhone but some of my friends have gone on and on about how easily it scratches on him. Most of it being "dust" and "sand" related.
Personally, I take my phone apart every night before I go to bed and clean it. Taking the back cover off, the SD card out, SIM card out, and giving it a full wipe down with alcohol pads.
Keeps it looking new, even after a few months. (Evo 4G)
Personally, I take my phone apart every night before I go to bed and clean it. Taking the back cover off, the SD card out, SIM card out, and giving it a full wipe down with alcohol pads.
Keeps it looking new, even after a few months. (Evo 4G)
It's cosmetic. Who cares if the glass gets cracked? The whole phone will be in the garbage in a couple years anyway. Resale value? I'm only into the phone $200 out of my pocket. If the tech inside works, it really doesn't matter to me about the condition. The fact that the screen can shatter, yet still function perfectly is a nice thing.
I have one of the Antennagate cases, a griffin with fake carbon fiber on the back. Yes, grit gets into the case. On the other hand, I've dropped the thing from a few feet onto concrete and asphalt about 5 times so far without sustaining any damage. The case for cases is strong.
I have one of the Antennagate cases, a griffin with fake carbon fiber on the back. Yes, grit gets into the case. On the other hand, I've dropped the thing from a few feet onto concrete and asphalt about 5 times so far without sustaining any damage. The case for cases is strong.
Funny...I'm sure you don't even realize your first paragraph is an example of the true definition of "fanboy". You're defending that it's acceptable if this story is a true epidemic and the Iphone is prone to cracking relatively easily.
cause what he said couldn't be applied to any phone.
hint, that makes YOU a fanboy.
hint, that makes YOU a fanboy.
I guess you didn't read the original comment since what CJW said was clearly directed at the Iphone. As consumers, it's not okay to say "who cares if the glass gets cracked" and that it doesn't matter the condition as long as the tech inside works. This is the case whether the phone is $200 or free.
Actually i did.
"Who cares if the glass gets cracked? The whole phone will be in the garbage in a couple years anyway. Resale value? I'm only into the phone $200 out of my pocket. If the tech inside works, it really doesn't matter to me about the condition."
could be said about any phone. What don't you get? That's his ethos on tech.
For you to have a gut reaction that he wouldn't feel the same way with a different phone, says your the one with the bias to me.
"Who cares if the glass gets cracked? The whole phone will be in the garbage in a couple years anyway. Resale value? I'm only into the phone $200 out of my pocket. If the tech inside works, it really doesn't matter to me about the condition."
could be said about any phone. What don't you get? That's his ethos on tech.
For you to have a gut reaction that he wouldn't feel the same way with a different phone, says your the one with the bias to me.
thanks for explaining to me aaronaut. I now know that the comments section are only for people who explicitly agree with the author of the post.
it has NOTHING to do with dis/agreement, gdgt isn't making anyone read this stuff, it's ALL voluntary, if you don't find it interesting don't post about how dis-interested you are. it contributes nothing to the dialogue, just as your hostility has added nothing.
i don't get why you are so hostile.
i don't get why you are so hostile.
Whoa, I am missing out on something? You guys banned him for speaking his mind?
or you could get a screen protector, as people do for all glass fronted phones, and add any hard case you want.
No, people did not shut up about it, for about 2 months, again, thanks to idiots like yourself.
it's only a anything-gate because of you bloggers. You have nothing to do with mobile, or tech, you just write stories with buzz words to get picked up by news aggregators. (as in your worthless)
/lefty IT guy from NYC had the 4 since day before release, yet to drop a call.
//takes care of more mobiles than you ever will, for a pharma ad agency.
///takes care of galaxies, droids (orig) and evo's as well.
No, people did not shut up about it, for about 2 months, again, thanks to idiots like yourself.
it's only a anything-gate because of you bloggers. You have nothing to do with mobile, or tech, you just write stories with buzz words to get picked up by news aggregators. (as in your worthless)
/lefty IT guy from NYC had the 4 since day before release, yet to drop a call.
//takes care of more mobiles than you ever will, for a pharma ad agency.
///takes care of galaxies, droids (orig) and evo's as well.
Please don't insult people on gdgt simply because you disagree with them.
To further address your point, a screen protector won't necessarily prevent this problem with a sliding case. It's still possible that a piece of sand, metal, or some other particulate matter can still exert enough pressure to scratch through the screen protector or cause the glass back to fracture.
To further address your point, a screen protector won't necessarily prevent this problem with a sliding case. It's still possible that a piece of sand, metal, or some other particulate matter can still exert enough pressure to scratch through the screen protector or cause the glass back to fracture.
I would never insult someone unless they were saying something that's insane, such as:
"It's still possible that a piece of sand, metal, or some other particulate matter can still exert enough pressure to scratch through the screen protector or cause the glass back to fracture."
that's ridiculous. Do you hold your iphone with a pneumatic press to relieve the antenna issue? Explain to me how that would happen using real world scenarios that don't involve gross neglect on the part of the user, or the user using actual saran wrap.
the maker of my screen protector, also replaces it for me for free if it ever wears down. (zagg) How long have you worked with these phones? I've replaced probably over 50 iphone screens. (it's part of my job)
"It's still possible that a piece of sand, metal, or some other particulate matter can still exert enough pressure to scratch through the screen protector or cause the glass back to fracture."
that's ridiculous. Do you hold your iphone with a pneumatic press to relieve the antenna issue? Explain to me how that would happen using real world scenarios that don't involve gross neglect on the part of the user, or the user using actual saran wrap.
the maker of my screen protector, also replaces it for me for free if it ever wears down. (zagg) How long have you worked with these phones? I've replaced probably over 50 iphone screens. (it's part of my job)
you've had a piece of sand go through a screen protector and break a screen?
Yes, I've had a piece of sand go through a screen protector and scratch the screen of an iPhone 3GS a year ago.
Sounds ridiculous? Sure! Was I doing anything out of the ordinary? Nope! The phone was in a messenger bag, minding its own business. Is that a case of "gross neglect" on part of the user? I don't really think so.
Sounds ridiculous? Sure! Was I doing anything out of the ordinary? Nope! The phone was in a messenger bag, minding its own business. Is that a case of "gross neglect" on part of the user? I don't really think so.
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First, the answer is no, because i asked if it broke the screen like you were saying, on to the rest...
100% bullshit. i'm sorry. Unless the screen protector you were using was basically saran wrap, or your bag was run over by a car, there's no way any dirt went through it.
i've seen the zagg one stretched 4-5 inches by the pointy ends of screw drivers, with no tearing.
and regardless, as i fix and support a group of near 50 users with (mostly iphones, although there are a few androids, and a few hold out bb's) I would think that my anecdotal evidence > yours.
you should stick to camera's and vnc / emulating civ. (btw that works alot better with wow, and iteleport is the best vnc client i've ever seen on a hand held.)
100% bullshit. i'm sorry. Unless the screen protector you were using was basically saran wrap, or your bag was run over by a car, there's no way any dirt went through it.
i've seen the zagg one stretched 4-5 inches by the pointy ends of screw drivers, with no tearing.
and regardless, as i fix and support a group of near 50 users with (mostly iphones, although there are a few androids, and a few hold out bb's) I would think that my anecdotal evidence > yours.
you should stick to camera's and vnc / emulating civ. (btw that works alot better with wow, and iteleport is the best vnc client i've ever seen on a hand held.)
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