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Cracking the case of the iPhone 4’s lost signal.
Owners of the iPhone 4 hoping for a quick fix from Apple for the reception problems plaguing the handset will be disappointed by this week’s software update.
The phone’s operating system will be tweaked, but only so that it more accurately indicates the strength of its mobile network connection. There is a simple solution, however, which is to buy a case for the phone.
Apples woes began when users holding the phone in their left hand reported that mobile reception would drop off. This so-called “grip of death” is due to the conductivity of human skin: the left thumb presses against a corner of the metal casing where the phone’s two aerials – one for mobile networks, the other for wi-fi – run close to each other. That can form an electrical bridge between the aerials, reducing mobile reception.
Apple failed to pick up the fault in field trials, not because it only employs right handed testers, but probably because it hid the new phone inside a dummy case to make it look like the existing iPhone (InGear, April 25) which would have insulated the aerials.
To test this , we fitted an iPhone 4 with an affordable case,( the Antimicrrobial Silicone Case from Proporta £19.95)
Reception dropped by one bar with the case slipped over the handset, but without it there was a three bardrop-off.
Costlier silicone cases had a similar effect.
Apple, meanwhile will no doubt be working on a redesign of the aerials for its next iPhone | 
