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Analyst Claims Apple is Fixing the iPhone 4’s Design Flaw

We’re not talking about a software fix folks. MacRumors via TheStreet is reporting that Apple is altering the manufacturing process to include a component that dampens (and hopefully eliminates) the iPhone 4 antenna issue. TheStreet reports,

Apple has told its manufacturers to alter the iPhone production process to include an internal component that will insulate the defective antenna connection that has disrupted the phone’s signal reception, said Kumar. This internal bumper will give Apple a non-cosmetic solution and will presumably avoid the need to change the appearance of the phone, said Kumar.

MacRumors indicates that further iPhone 4 delays may be caused by Apple’s manufacturing fix as they prepare new models with the insulating component. It’s also mentioned that the Rodman Renshaw analyst (Kumar) doesn’t have an established track record yet in the industry, implying that it’s possible these rumors are completely false. Again, this is an extra rumor to look forward to tomorrow. If all Apple has to do is add an extra part, then a fix should be relatively quick as there’s no major change required in the assembly process.

[TheStreet via MacRumors]

Apple Engineer Reportedly Warned Steve Jobs about the Antenna Issue

Bloomberg writes this morning on Apple’s senior antenna expert, Ruben Cabellero, who personally warned Steve Jobs (a year ago) about the potential antennae issues with the iPhone 4.

Last year, Ruben Caballero, a senior engineer and antenna expert, informed Apple’s management the device’s design may cause reception problems, said the person, who is not authorized to speak on Apple’s behalf and asked not to be identified. A carrier partner also raised concerns about the antenna before the device’s June 24 release, according to another person familiar with the situation.

Nothing else is revealed about the Caballero other than he was made unavailable for comment. Apple’s press conference is tomorrow, so it looks like Bloomberg will just have to wait.

[via Bloomberg]

Boy Genius Claims that FaceTime is Coming to iPod and iPad

We pretty much figured that FaceTime would eventually end up on the iPod relatively soon, but we didn’t think we’d hear millings about the iPad just yet (considering it doesn’t have a front facing camera). Sure the iPad would make the perfect FaceTime device – but this leads us to ponder whether Apple will release an updated model this Fall.

Questions aside, Boy Genius Report does ask a valid question: how the heck can you call an iPod touch or iPad without a phone number? The answer lies in your Apple ID. Using your email address (which I do not like the idea of at all), people will be able to make FaceTime calls to your device. Kind of like how Textie on the iPhone and iPod touch works. Push Notifications will alert you to calls, and Boy Genius Report admits that there’d have to be some minor changes in iOS 4.x to make it happen. Chalk another one up on the rumor mill kids - this one is pretty good.

[via Boy Genius Report]

Archetype a Huge Success: 160,000 Players in First Week

Another success story in the making, Archetype has managed to garner 160,000 players within a week of launch according to TUAW. Amidst a massive advertising campaign, Archetype has become somewhat of an behemoth in mobile gaming, delivering a “big budget” experience Apple’s mobile devices, directly competing with titles like Nova and ngmoco’s Eliminate.

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The iPad Will Follow in the iPhone’s Success Says Goldman Sachs

AppleInsider brings to light a recent Goldman Sachs report that suggests the iPad, like the iPhone, will dominate its corresponding market with a well curated App ecosystem, vibrant developer community, and technological superiority in a number of areas.

Sachs points out that despite having only 3% of the world’s mobile phones in the market, Apple has managed to rake in the most profit (and continues to do so) despite the recent recession which cut competitor’s profits in half. Apple could manage to nearly double the profits of what RIM, Motorola, Nokia, HTC, and Sony Ericson generated, combined by the end of 2011.

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Genius Bar to be Revamped

The Genius Bar consists of Apple’s most techie employees, those that can solve everything from a fried motherboard to bad hard drives and corrupted data. But these can-do-anything super men and women will be asked to do more, in hopes of making the customer support experience more efficient than ever.

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Microsoft on iPhone 4: It’s Apple’s Vista

Not again. If there’s such a thing as a backhanded insult, Microsoft certainly pulled it off. Microsoft’s chief operating offcier labels the iPhone 4 as ‘Vista,’ poking fun at Apple in the process.

“One of the things I want to make sure you know today is that you’re going to be able to use a Windows Phone 7 and not have to worry about how you’re holding it to make a phone call,” Turner said, referring to the Microsoft mobile operating system set to debut on smartphones this fall.

Tough talk for a product that hasn’t even been released yet.

[via Computerworld]

iFixit Wants to Confirm the Existence of a Silent Recall

It’s questionable whether Apple is silently recalling iPhones, yet iFixit is adamant to find out. Apple PR won’t confirm or deny the issue, so they’d like readers to confirm their problems via decoding the serial number and testing the impedance of the metal frame. They’d like to narrow down a particular manufacturing week in which the new changes took place – you can find all the information necessary to take on the task at the source link below.

[via iFixit]