I think it's a mountain out of a molehill. I don't see why anyone who has the problem can't put it in their pocket and use the headphones or use a BT headphone. I think the three versions were heralded as game changers and no competition so now the competition sees a chance to slam the iPhone and change some people's perception of it. I understand anyone who has the reception issue it's frustrating and you should be able to hold the phone the way you want but if you know it causes a problem then either give the phone back or try to use other methods to use the phone. If there is a problem when it's in yoyr pocket then I take this all back.
I don't think THAT is acceptable...use headphones or a headset. But its not that serious.
I use the phone left handed. That won't change. But i simply adjusted my grip as to not touch the problem area and that's only in weak areas. It's not that big of a deal.
I think the competition and noniphone owners jump on this because let's be honest, apple furthered the distance between itself and the competition with the iphone 4. They look like specs in the rearview mirror now. Some iphone owners jumped on this as well because many simply buy the iphone as an accessory and want to impress people. Having noniphone people laugh at them with duct tape is a blow to them.
It's always been human nature to rationalize purchases or what product you use. And they do that by tearing down better alternatives to feel good about what their using. Many on sprint, for example, stay because its cheap or they're stuck on a Verizon or whatever. Therefore, they'll tear down AT&T and rip apple just to feel better about their Evo or Pre with their half baked features or build quality.
But in this instance they smelled blood and went after it. Can't make calls on the iphone? Duct tape? Bwahaha. You can bet this won't go away because its all they got.
But its important to remember that most of the them would switch to an iphone asap if offered on a sprint or verizon. They want but can't have and settle for an android instead. To cope, they tear down what it is they really desire.