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Apple Working On Method Of Reducing iPhone Accessory Wireless Interference

A patent application unveiled yesterday (#20070123207) indicates that Apple is working to help Cingular AT&T Wireless remain the carrier with the "least" dropped calls.

The patent application describes a method of determining whether an attached accessory would interfere with the wireless communication of a handheld device (i.e. an iPhone).

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a wireless handheld device includes one or more antennas and a connector configured to couple with one or more external accessories. The handheld device further includes an accessory detector coupled to the connector and configured to detect whether an external accessory coupled to the connector may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.


Apple says that the device may alert the user (via audio or visual message), or may try to rectify the situation by tuning the handheld's RF frequency.

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61 months ago
An attached accessory like what?
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61 months ago
I love the use of the cross-outs!

I also think that AT&T probably made one of the best choices in their history by partnering with Apple. Apple is very insistant on delivering a good experience for the consumer, andI look forward to cell phone innovations the Apple will drive.
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61 months ago
What's with the smarta** strike-throughs in the article? Doesn't seem appropriate even if you don't like ATT.
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61 months ago
accessory that i want most - GPS receiver.
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61 months ago
the only accessory that causes interference is your big melon that creates G-force.
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61 months ago
What planet do I live on where Cingular gets to claim having the least dropped calls? Seriously, their service is atrocious.
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61 months ago
I hope that they do a good job with AT&T especially since it may raise the bar in my area. The reason that they have the fewest dropped calls in this area is because you actually have to connect with the person you are calling to have a chance at dropping the call. Also around here it is not dependent on the handset that you have, I have dealt with many and all get about the same usefulness.

But back on the subject, leave it to Apple to bring on the "Smart" accessories that won't cause much/if any interference.


CM
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61 months ago

What planet do I live on where Cingular gets to claim having the least dropped calls? Seriously, their service is atrocious.


It seems Cingular/AT&T's service varies from place to place and device to device. I had a moto phone and had tons of dropped calls in the Chicago area. Bought a Nokia - problem solved, I have not experienced one dropped call in over a year anywhere I've gone including overseas. What kind of phone do you have with Cingular/AT&T and where are you using it?
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61 months ago
Dropped calls what are they? Seriously haven't had one of those for about 3 years. How bad is/are the american coverage/service providers.
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61 months ago

Dropped calls what are they? Seriously haven't had one of those for about 3 years. How bad is/are the american coverage/service providers.


The USA is a huge place with much open space... but anyways as Aricher noted some phone models have issues that limit their reception others are excellent when used in the same location and with the same provider... so often phone model is at play with issues that folks see.
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