iPhone 4G?

[Rico]

While it certainly will change things when the iPhone is available on Verizon, I think it might not be quite as much as you might think.  I know quite a few that switched to Droid that had iPhones.  In any case, it's nice to have a few good options.  The last thing I'd want to see is for less competition to happen.  Competition means better products and at lower prices.

[Rico]

It looks like the iPhone 4 is also having some trouble with it's glass surface cracking.  Read on,...

Apple has a new iPhone 4 crisis on its hands

Ryan Block of Gdgt reports some third party iPhone 4 cases can lead to the glass back of the phone being cracked.

How? If the iPhone 4 is slipped into a case small bits can get caught between the case and the phone. These "particulate matter" can cause small scratches which can eventually become big cracks, says Block.

Even without the particulate, the phone can get scratched, leading to the same problem, it seems.

This has sent Apple's engineers into a "quiet panic" trying to come up with a solution to the problem. Apple wants to "preempt any further tarnishing the iPhone brand," writes Block.

Apple just put Antennagate in it's rear view mirror, and Block has already labeled this problem Glassgate.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-glass-problem-2010-10

[Feathers]

That's what you get for making something out of glass! Screens have suffered for years it's just now we have the back at risk too but...I knew how it was made before I bought mine. I'd get very cross if it broke but probably wouldn't throw my hands in the air and say 'Oh no! Glass breaks! Calamity!' as some seem to be doing.

[Rico]

It's really silly to make the back out of glass.  Makes no sense at all to me.  You are just asking for trouble and there is no reason for it to be there.

[Meds]

Yeah it was a serious design flaw. I know Apple have this thing about plastic but hell the iphone 3G that I have is pretty sturdy.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Seems to me Glass would be stronger than plastic, wouldn't it?  Or am I off my rocker again ;)

Although really, how is anyone surprised at this problem?  It's glass, it cracks, breaks etc.  Try throwing yourself at your own window and then tell me glass is completely indestructible.  ;)

Oh and point me in the direction of an Android Phone that can't break and I'll give you a million dollars.  Hah!  :P

King

[Bryancd]

While it certainly will change things when the iPhone is available on Verizon, I think it might not be quite as much as you might think. s

It's not what I think, it's what actual research survey is showing. It' s upwards of 40 percent of Droid buyers surveyed. Keep in mind, this is done by the same analysts who predicted the iPhone and iPad success and it would be wise to take note.

[Rico]

No, glass is certainly not stronger than most plastics.  But to put glass on the back of something like this that you set down a lot on it's back, hold from behind, etc. is not a good design.  It was done for purely aesthetic reasons - not function.  Which is of course something Apple does all the time.  I mean why make these devices for looks when you immediately have to stick them in a case to protect them?

And yes Tim, everything can break.  But a designer should certainly try to minimize the potential of that as much as they can.  You need glass on the front for the display, you don't need it on the back.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

While it certainly will change things when the iPhone is available on Verizon, I think it might not be quite as much as you might think. s

It's not what I think, it's what actual research survey is showing. It' s upwards of 40 percent of Droid buyers surveyed. Keep in mind, this is done by the same analysts who predicted the iPhone and iPad success and it would be wise to take note.

I can confirm this myself, with the exception of a few people, I know many who would have taken the iPhone over their current droid models, but were restricted to Verizon.

King

[Rico]

As far as which phone, then why buy a Droid if you don't like it or want it??  What Droid phones are you talking about Tim?

[KingIsaacLinksr]

As far as which phone, then why buy a Droid if you don't like it or want it??  What Droid phones are you talking about Tim?

No, no, I was talking in reference to indestructibility.  Everyone gets so "shocked and amazed" that the iPhone has flaws.  And while I may think it's the perfect phone for me, (and everyone else because I'm a "sheep" ;)) I know it's not perfect at everything.  All phones wear, tear and break.  Depending on the conditions and how it was manufactured.  And of course I was just pre-empting any droid fans by saying their phones are no better in terms of indestructibility.  :P

[Bryancd]

As far as which phone, then why buy a Droid if you don't like it or want it??  What Droid phones are you talking about Tim?

Verizon customers have had no other option of any worth other than Droid. Droid has not had to compete with iPhone on that network until now. Watch how the sales skew going forward.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

As far as which phone, then why buy a Droid if you don't like it or want it??  What Droid phones are you talking about Tim?

Verizon customers have had no other option of any worth other than Droid. Droid has not had to compete with iPhone on that network until now. Watch how the sales skew going forward.

And how many phones on T-mobile and Sprint are Droid-OS based?  I wonder if the droid numbers are slightly scewed just through sheer number of customers just choosing the phone just because it exists in their store?  With Apple, people had to seek it out, but Droid saturates the entire market so it could be the "net-factor" playing into it. 

King

[Rico]

Tim,
I'm only talking now about a glass back.  And I think that's a problem and a bad design.  Let me put this another way...

When I decide to buy something I try and make sure it's something that suits my needs and is a solid product.  You always have to weigh the pros and cons of anything for your use and needs.  But I don't usually compare it to other things once I get it.  I just want whatever I select to be the best it can be.  Like when I decided on the car I got.  It doesn't matter to me if other cars breakdown too, I just don't want my car to breakdown or have issues.  Hope that helps to get my point across.

P.S.  And as I have said many times, I think the iPhone is a very good product.  But I just would do a few things different with it to make it even better.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Tim,
I'm only talking now about a glass back.  And I think that's a problem and a bad design.  Let me put this another way...

When I decide to buy something I try and make sure it's something that suits my needs and is a solid product.  You always have to weigh the pros and cons of anything for your use and needs.  But I don't usually compare it to other things once I get it.  I just want whatever I select to be the best it can be.  Like when I decided on the car I got.  It doesn't matter to me if other cars breakdown too, I just don't want my car to breakdown or have issues.  Hope that helps to get my point across.

P.S.  And as I have said many times, I think the iPhone is a very good product.  But I just would do a few things different with it to make it even better.

Ok, I get you now.  And that's perfectly understandable.  

I wonder if Apple is going to bother with the glass back in the 5th Gen.  It's paused the White iPhone 4 production, it forced a new antenna design which some claim to be flawed (but I have had no personal experience to say otherwise) and now this latest "issue".  The pros are certainly starting to outweigh the cons on this one.

King

King