Apple posted job listings for three iPhone and iPad antenna engineers on June 23rd. The date coincides with the first reports of antenna-related issues in the new iPhone 4.
The iPhone 4 was officially launched on June 24, although pre-order customers began receiving their new phones two days ahead of the release. By the 23rd, some users were reporting that their cell signal would drop off significantly if they held their iPhone so that the lower left corner of the device was obscured by their hand.
Apple responded to initial complaints by stating “Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone.”
Company CEO Steve Jobs later added “There is no reception issue. Stay tuned.”
There’s no indication that the job openings are anything more than coincidence, although the timing seems a little suspect.
[Thanks to Engadget for the heads up.]