Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller on why it took 10 months to launch the white iPhone 4
While speaking to Mobilizer about location data, Apple CEO Steve Jobs and SVP of Marketing, Phil Schiller, explained the 10 month delay in launching the white iPhone 4.
“It was challenging. It’s not as simple as making something white. There’s a lot more that goes into both the material science of it–how it holds up over time…but also in how it all works with the sensors.”
"We thought we were there a year ago, or less than that, when we launched the iPhone 4, and we weren’t."
As previously rumored, the color caused complications with the internal components (like the proximity sensor, perhaps the camera and flash?) and was also subject to discoloration from UV rays.
Steve Jobs added that solving the problem allowed Apple to launch a white iPad, so it benefitted Apple in the long run.
So, is it better Apple took their time to get it right? We'll see once we get our hands on one!
Senior Editor at iMore and a practicing psychotherapist specializing in stress and anxiety. She speaks everywhere from conferences to corporations, and co-hosts of the iMore show and ZEN and TECH podcasts.
There are 27 comments. Add yours.
Yea...but does it light leak as bad as my white iPad?
Nothing leaks light as bad as my iPad 2 does. It's not distracting when doing full-screen stuff, but when I load an app that had to download stuff over my MiFi and it sits there with the spinning deal on a black screen it's just hideous.
I wish there was less research into white phones and a little more in antenna tech before the launch of the iPhone 4.
they did, it's called the Verizon iPhone. Doesn't help AT&T's service is as spotty as a girl on the pill during her time of the month.
Hi! You're not very smart, are you?
I have no problem with them taking the time to get it right, but if it wasn't ready, it shouldn't have been announced. How much time did they put into testing the white iPhone before they announced it?
Exactly
No comment. Just keep them coming.
"solving the problem allowed Apple to launch a white iPad"
If that result is from problem solved.. That explains how the iP4 antenna made it past QA....
My antenna works great. Always has. Never been affected by it. Maybe because I hold my iPhone in my left hand because I'm right handed, and need it free for writing, tapping icons, etc., while on a call. :roll:
Your lucky! It's holding it in your left hand that is what causes the issue. One normally cups the lower left edge with ones hand to keep the iPhone from falling out, thus bridging the left edge and lower edge and crushing all dreams of a better tomorrow powered by science.
I use my right hand for things too.
I never ever had one single issue with antenna issues no matter what hand I held it in. Each and everyone to their own conclusions but a big fuss everyone made out of it really ;-)
As for white, it's ugly. I bought a white iPad 2 and took it back 2 days later and swapped for a black one. White just doesn't look right ;-)
I'm on very Verizon and I have no problems with my antenna and signal I get 4-5 daily must suck for AT&T lol that's why I switch
Two things:
1- You're a moron. The reality is that the "deathgrip" affects ALL iPhone 4. Service may be better for Verizon in your area. But in my area i pull down 3Mbit on a slow day.
2- White iPhone4 is a cool concept(me in june of last year). Now, it's a waste of time and manufacturing effort. They should've saved it for the next iPhone since it took all this time. I imagine that when they price drop the iPhone 4(which will happen when they release the next one) that the people who are still on 3G or 3GS will consider upgrading to an iPhone 4 and have a similar color option(which will make it an easier choice along with the discounted price). This is most likely what Apple is banking on. Since they're still blowing 3GS out the door.
Agreed, I speed tested against a Verizon iPhone today. 486 down to my 5359 down. My upload was 3 times faster than his download. Disgraceful.
And you are the typical confused customer. AT&T hands down will have faster data speeds over Verizon but there consistency in service makes it not even worth it. You may be one of the few AT&T customers that has great coverage but compared to Verizon that works about the same everywhere the trade of is worth it. I am in Chicago where T-Mobile has better coverage than AT&T. Verizon Works everywhere and yeah i only get 1.5 mbit/s but its consistent. I have no lag with web, Netflix or any other app. When a device has web based programs that only draw enough data to display on a 3 inch display that lovely 3 mbit/sec peak AT&T gets in a few places doesn't really seam to be worth the trade off for garbage nationally.
That would be an ignorant statement. AT&T has a comprable service coverage map to Verizon everywhere where it matters. I'm a former Verizon customer and personally I could use either service in my area, If Verizon's customer service hadn't pissed me off and not fixed my false charges then I would've stuck with them. They never fixed the billing issue so now i'm an extremely happy AT&T customer. With the acquisition of T-Mobile, AT&T will be the largest mobile provider in the country(and not by a small margin).
But back on topic, anywhere you're gonna head in the US you're pretty much covered. Not by just ATT but by Verizon as well. The one nice thing about AT&T is mobile hotspots. Which btw, are ALL over the place.
So now they chose to take their time and get it right or did they blow it w/ the launch of the white iPhone? I thought they blew it but I see now they were just taking their time.
Who knew? :)
You just never have anything contributing to say. :D You're more of a buzzkill than Buzz Killington. Or in your case should I say Buz Z. Killington II? Who Knows?:)
I call what I see and when what I see is a slap on the wrist where the blogger would have chewed up Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, etc for the same issue...I speak on it. So, Buzz Killington II is fine by me.
You might want to check my track record though. I call it like I see it for both good and bad. I do the same on @androidcentral.
Uhhhhh. Who cares? Really people. Its the same phone. I wantd white at launch. But o well. People telling apple how to run apple, hilarious.
I hope there will be no discoloration like my White Macbook!! Just saying!!!
If I got a white iPhone, I'd put it in a black case...
Tabarnak attendre un an pour le blanc calice?
Through careful use of my Xacto knife, I now have a black-and-white checkered IPhone...great for cranking Ska!
People are complaining about the iPhone 4 Dropping calls more than the 3GS which for me drops one two many calls.