You are probably aware that during the Apple press conference yesterday, Steve Jobs pointed the finger at a couple of smartphones that also lose bars when held a certain way, the first of which was the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700.
Well according to an article over on Crackberry by Kevin Michaluk, it appears that Research In Motion is somewhat annoyed at Steve Jobs and Apple and have stated Apple was trying to “distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation.”
An official statement on the matter was released by Research In Motion’s joint CEO’s Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, here’s the official response to Apple’s claims…
“Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.”
– Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
So in trying to allay iPhone 4 user’s worries over the iPhone 4 antenna issue it appears that Mr. Jobs and Apple have seriously got up the nose of Research In Motion.