Dropped calls using Apple's iPhone may soon be a thing of the past. One of the best new features of the latest smart phone from Apple is a stainless steel antenna that wraps around its sides. It's a big difference from the previous model which has the antenna buried under the phone's shell.
The new iPhone goes out on sale on June 24. It will come with more radio-frequency radiation from its 3rd generation predecessor. With the new antenna, the iPhone 4 is expected to have greater signal strength and reliability.
The increased radiation complies with FCC safety guidelines. Radiation levels from the iPhone 4 are similar to those of smart phones made by Palm Inc. and Research In Motion Ltd.
Apple has been deluged with complaints regarding dropped calls using previous versions of the iPhone. Stand up comics refer to the iPhone as a smaller version of the iPad because "you can't make calls with it."
AT & T Inc. is also said to be working on improving its network to hopefully help address the problem of dropped calls. If AT & T's network remains congested, then the new antenna design may not do much about dropped calls. With too many customers trying to get airtime, some of them will definitely get bounced.
Apple's antenna is among the largest available on a cell phone and has separate parts of the steel band to carry different radio signals, including Wi-Fi, GPS and cellular. The greater energy is also likely to result in better signal strength, allowing the iPhone to hold on to calls better.