[cardfan]

Bumper and all, Consumer Reports still doesn't recommend iPhone 4 - CNN.com

But Apple needs to come up with a permanent—and free—fix for the antenna problem before we can recommend the iPhone 4.

The Bumper solves the signal-strength problem. So does a piece of duct tape, as we reported earlier, or just being careful how you hold the phone. But these options all put the onus on consumers to solve or pay for a fix. We're still calling on Apple to provide an acceptable free solution to the iPhone 4's signal-loss problem.

And so Apple announces free bumpers for all..at least til Sept. 30.

"What we were hoping for was a concrete, this-is-it fix for the phone," Gikas said.

But that's not what you said or why would you fool around testing Bumpers?

Gikas said such a solution makes it difficult to review the phone, because everyone has a different case, and it's unclear if the solution is permanent; there's a chance the phone could still be recalled after September 30, or that a new version could be issued, he said.

WTF? CR said a piece of freaking tape would cure the issue. So now they're unsure about different cases other than the Bumper???

A chance it could be recalled? Or new version issued? Both are irrelevant. Any phone has that chance.

"When we test a product we try to assume this product is just like all the others that came in boxes just like it," he said, "and we can't do that anymore [with the iPhone 4] because, with the case, this phone is different."

Different? You tested it with the Bumper on. Cures your little issue

"The most important thing to remember is a problem was discovered with the phone and we can confirm it in a lab, and it was a significant problem," he said.

But one that's cured with tape. Or a Bumper. And one that for some unknown reason, didn't impact the iphone 4's scores in your ratings in which the iphone 4 is the top rated smartphone. Why isn't the media asking about this? Voice quality and phoning are two categories in which Consumer Reports grades phones. Surely a "serious" issue like this antenna thing would negatively impact those two category's scores. But no... Why not?

How can anyone take Consumer Reports seriously? Why isn't the media wondering how they can give a phone top rating in a process that involves several criteria but yet has such a serious issue?

I'm not personally upset or anything but i do find it interesting considering so many media quote CR as a "respected" source.

[OTACORB]

I agree with you, this follow-up report is so contradictory! It is like they are just looking for **** now.

Its the best smartphone on the market

Oh but we can't recommend it!

Well Job needs to at least offer the bumpers for free because in our test this resolves the issue

Jobs is now giving the bumpers away, but that just adds another layer and doesn't really allow us to properly test. DUH you already tested you moron!

[Mustang5Oh]

yeah i believe they said if the bumpers were free they would recommend it. they suck and 3 million in 3 weeks tells us that id think. if you use consumer reports to buy things you are an *****. go to a store and try things out yourself and buy what YOU want, not a jackass magazine writer tells you!

[chobbs1]

I agree that this CR reaction is bogus. Not only do I not take the word of CR. But I question all that I hear in the media. Just because it has been typed and read over the air does not make it true.

[phonejunky]

Yea consumer reports is crap. Why would they say Apple should give away free cases and then when you do they say well...... NOW that's not good enough? Man give me a break thanks for a Great device Steve go TeamiPhone

[McIPhone]

Bring us ............ another shrubbery! (or maybe a car charger.)

CR is loving the publicity and isn't ready for it to go away just yet.

[phonejunky]

Very good point CR hasn't had this much publicity in a very long time there going to bad mouth the iPhone until this literally blows over. Then recommend it

[Smlk]

I agree! I was unhappy about their continued ratings on the iphone4. I thought I was the only one bent out of shape over it. I used to trust those guys. Now, I think they aren't any more honest than the rest of them! I am finding that I get more honest answers coming to forums like this one. I have subscribed to their online site and their front page/ half page feature is the bad iPhone- subscribe to read more! Geez, is everyone out for the scam!

[Behshad]

Anyone who buys products based on CR recommendation is an *****. CR is 99.99% BS !

[lungho]

Well CR stupidly burned their bridge in in the duct tape review. To keep what little credibility they think they have, they have to go this route.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. CR is good if you want to find the best tasting can of peas.

[Gooster]

I don't understand how you can recommend duct tape with a straight face. Do people not know what happens when you leave duct tape on a surface for too long?

[lungho]

Yeah, I thought it was a pretty classless move on CR's part. They could have just as easily said something like, "But with the additional purchase of a bumper or case......"

[raveniphone]

Never trust a magazine that reviews everything. I've found many of their reviews over the years to be pure BS. I am in the shoe business and stopped reading it long ago, after reading a review they did of a walking shoe. Their review was so far from being accurate, it was almost laughable.

[noaim]

sometimes consumer reports is wonky

[Fausty82]

sometimes consumer reports is wonky

... and sometimes consumers are wonky... #justsaying