With the iPhone 4, we experienced the antennae issue.  The phone looked great, but poor positioning of the antennae caused many a dropped call.  I can remember calling into APPLE, on behalf of one of my clients, and was told to either hold my phone differently, or place two layers of scotch tape in the corner to allow room between my hand and the antennae.  I had to laugh at the suggestion, and could not be mad at all.  Soon after, APPLE started giving away the free bumpers.

The iPhone 5 seems to have a new issue reported.  Luckily it does not affect performance, however it does affect the aesthetics of the device.  Apparently, the new aluminum casing is very susceptible to scratching.  Many reports are stating that the devices are coming pre-scratched in the boxes, while others have noticed scratches after only a weekend’s use.

APPLE was pretty adamant that this device would not need a case, due to the lack of glass on the back, but will they have to take that back?  Will we see new, “free’, bumpers being offered?  My guess is that soon there will be a scratch proof coating on the back to help remedy the issue.

In other news, it appears as though the wait for the new iPhone may be a little longer than expected.  Foxconn has closed their factory, temporarily, after riots broke out involving 2000 workers.  40 workers have been hospitalized in the massive riot.  It appears as though the clash started between “rival worker groups” at about 11Pm, and escalated over the next few hours.

“The cause of the fight was not immediately clear, while Foxconn is assisting a police investigation of the matter, Woo said. Union representatives will be sent to the site today to discuss the situation with workers”, said Bloomberg’s Tim Culpan

The shut down of the plant seemed necessary to allow time for the workers to cool down and clear their heads.

We want to give people time to cool down,” Louis Woo, spokesman for Taipei-based Foxconn said by phone. Chairman Terry Gou was informed of the incident at about 5 a.m. and agreed with the decision to halt production.”

There is also a rumor that the riot was actual started when a security guard(s) attacked a worker, however that has not been confirmed.  An official press release from the company is expected today.

The Factory is said to manufacture the back side of the iPhone 5 case, could it be that pressure from the supervisors, after hearing reports of the scratches, could have helped escalate the emotions?

Are the harsh working conditions to blame?  Will the reports of the poor working, almost “slave-like” environment cause APPLE to change the way it manufacture’s its devices?  Have you experienced any issues with your iPhone 5?

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