Woz talks iPhone 4 antenna, Google, and Steve Jobs
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak recently held an interview at the Campus Party in Valencia, Spain. He talked about the iPhone 4's antenna problems, Apples relationship with Google, his roll at Apple, and his relationship with Steve Jobs.
Here's some of what he had to say.
On iPhone 4 antenna
"I have not really had a problem with the antenna... I think it’s a very tiny, tiny problem that is blown out of proportion because there are a lot of people who want to accuse Apple of a mistake only because Apple has been so good with its products, creating the products that we all love."
"Even though I can cause the problem on my iPhone 4, I don’t have the problem in real usage."
"A problem that is imagined to exist is that much greater the more you love the product that you’re afraid won’t work"
On Google
"In recent times, I’ve been a little saddened to encounter the controversy between Apple and Google."
"I love Google, but I’m afraid it has a chance of becoming the Microsoft of the future. You remember how Microsoft used all of their ownership of the operating system to take over the browser."
On his role at Apple
"Although I receive a small salary from Apple, I do virtually no real work at the company."
"I like to be more on the outside of Apple, because I prefer to judge products objectively."
On Steve Jobs
- "I chat with Steve Jobs now and then, from time to time, and we have never had an argument. We have always been friends. We are not close friends like we once were, spending every day together."
What do you think? Is the iPhone 4 antenna problem blown out of proportion? Are you afraid of Google becoming the next Microsoft?
My follow up question to Mr. Woz is what exactly he considers a small salary!
Check out video of the interview after the break.
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“Even though I can cause the problem on my iPhone 4, I don’t have the problem in real usage; A problem that is imagined to exist is that much greater the more you love the product that you’re afraid won’t work”
This is EXACTLY how I feel. Yes, I can make the bars go up and down like a yo-yo, but I haven't dropped a single call or had any problem browsing and using data (granted I've only had my phone since Friday, being in Canada). However, because I know of the "problem," it's on my mind, and I am constantly glancing at the bars and comparing my browsing speeds, and I'm worried about dropping calls and having to admit, "yes, the antenna issue is affecting my use of the phone." Even though it hasn't yet. Silly, but it's true.
I agree with him.. If the "antenna issue" was so drastic, they wouldn't have sold so many phones, and continue to sell them. It was videos on YouTube on June 23rd before the launch and it still didn't stop them from selling 3million in 3 days.. And the 17 countries that got the phone a month later, and after the antenna gate press conference, knew about if for a month! Antenna issue becomes a problem when customers stop buying imo
I have said all along the attenuate problem was blown out of proportion. Depending on where I am, I too can make the bars drop but I have not had a dropped call. Of course this could have something to do with the fact that I have never talked on the phone while cradling the entire bottom of the device. The people who had crappy signal before hand will have a crappy signal with the 4 - they just now have a specific spot on the phone to blame.
And I think the analogy of Google becoming the next Microsoft is a very, very good one. The fact that they scare Microsoft should tell you all you need to know right there.
Yes, the iPhone 4 antenna problem was blown out of proportion. Move along, nothing to see here.
Yes, I am afraid of Google becoming the next Microsoft. They are well on the way.
I'm in Australia, and I can't replicate the "death grip" issue, intact the "death touch" more often than not results in MORE service bars. It does hold onto a signal far better than my 3GS though, it's absolutely brilliant! Granted our networks here are very robust, and it's difficult to find problem area with coverage - but this simply isn't a real world issue IMO.
Really how did that browser war do anything for Microsoft other than cost them potentially billions of dollars in legal costs and settlements?
If they had not let go of the reigns it made them the defactor browser for years. You're right a1by it, end the end, probably cost more than it gained (have never seen real figures though --so I wouldn't know), but that does not stop or slow companies down from following those steps. I see companies everyday repeat stupid mistakes--and do so happily looking for short term gains over long term interests
You're kind of misquoting him by not including ellipses within the quotes where the video was clearly clipped together.
Amazing he worries about Google becoming a Microsoft. I'd look a little closer to home if I were him.
The whole antenna business was blown way out of preportion. I think it's nice of Apple to offer free cases but out of all honesty they didn't have too. Yes other mobile companies throw in cases in there retail package but that's stock standard with them, not Apple. The only Apple product I have is the iPhone 4 so in not obsessed or trying to stick up for them. They make a wonderful phone and I'll continue to stay with iPhone while they are around. P.S I've never had an antenna issue once
@Icebike:
I'm a proud iPhone 4 owner - it's still (IMHO) the best phone on the market and I've had ZERO issues with it but yeah, Woz's comments about Google kind of put me off. Apple and Google are both awesome companies; they're the best there is at what they do - I miss the days where each company put aside their giant egos and worked together to make great apps for the CUSTOMER.
I have no issue with a death grip but hey i got a free case outta the deal so I'm not complaining either way. As far as google, it's a monster of a company so who knows where they'll end up but for now I like their direction.
I wonder if his "small salary" is $50,000 or $500,000 a year. I wouldn't mind making a small salary for doing nothing.
Wow all the cutting and clipping I kinda feel like they could've made him say anything.
Give me a job application to Apple. I wiil accept a tiny salary for doing no work for the company. What a great job. You do not do any real work for the company, and they pay you.
@glen well co found a awsome company then you might get to do that , iff you dont like th eantenna of the iphone dont buy it its that easy .....fools.
I'd just like to point out that he receives the smallest salary that an Apple employee can. He reveals that in one of his books, 'iWoz'.
Just saying, because this article makes it seem like he is lying.
@Glenn,
To be fair, he was a co-founder of the company, so it's a little bit different situation, but I agree, it must be nice.
I agree with Woz on the whole Antenna-gate issue. I have never had any "real life" issues with the phone's antenna system. If anything, I've experienced an improvement in call quality, data speeds/consistency from my 3GS to my iPhone 4.
As Woz said, yes, if I deathgrip my iPhone 4 (in a weak signal area) I can drop a couple bars; however, I've never been able to drop the bars completely. Again, this only happens with the DEATHGRIP, not when I'm holding it NATURALLY.
I —like the fanboy I am— actually feel bad for the engineers at Apple who put in so much effort, and now the everyday person thinks the iPhone 4 doesn't work.
A perfect example of this is my grandmother. She's the type of person who believes everything she hears on the news. I told her my iPhone 4 was fine, and she told me I made a stupid decision. She said the "experts" on CNN said the iPhone 4 is a "dud". She was probably paraphrasing, but regardless, this is what outsiders really believe. I can't tell you how many people ask me, "How can you use that thing with that horrible antenna." Then I have to go through the whole demonstration and explanation, and in at the end they're still somewhat skeptical —thinking I'm just trying to defend my foolish purchase.
It really just comes down to too many people drinking the haterade. When I was a teenager and couldn't afford a Mac, I used to ignorantly hate on the Mac. I'm ashamed to say I also did this when the iPhone came out, because I was in the middle of a Verizon contract.
People at work hate on my iPhone all the time, but when someone needs directions, or needs to look something up on the Internet, or wants to have a little fun and play Angry Birds, then the iPhone is ok... Well, after being exposed to me (with an iPhone) for over a year now, they've smartened up —4 of them converted to the iPhone.
@MA,
Consciously and subconsciously, everyone's always gonna try to take down the "Top Dog" and that's basically what the iPhone is right now. To quote a Verizon-Android enthusiast buddy of mine, "Apple's the Man now."
Where was that advice when he was jumping on the trash Toyota bandwagon a few months ago? Investigations coming back recently here aren't finding any issues beyond what Toyota ultimately dealt with and didn't verify the claims that Woz himself made on other models.
I AGREE
This guy is paid to defend apple. bias!!! But I'm happy that apple is around. a clown company that i can make fun of it. surfing the net watching videos how fanboys defend their leader (Steve Jobs), how they love icrapies phone with a deadly glass display, proximity problem, exposed antenna (just like wearing an underwear after your pants), disconnecting bluetooth, telling not to hold it a normal way, exploiting workers in china to lessen the cost of the icraps. explaining to the nation that apple is a american company and they are leading phone company in the US that people should be thankful and accept any flaw in their product rather than a korean company in apples place. (referring to samsung, which is the maker of iphonebricks processor).
His "roll" at Apple?