Apple adds Motorola Droid X to ‘Smartphone antenna performance’ web page

The video posted on the web page showed that several bars on the new Droid X dropped (sometime even to zero) when held with a normal grip.

"In our tests, the Motorola Droid X dropped from 3 bars to 0 bars when held in a way that attenuated the signal,” wrote Apple on the page.

Droid X has become the fifth smartphone on Apple’s 'Smartphone antenna performance' page. So far the company has included Nokia’s N97, RIM's BlackBerry Bold 9700, Samsung's Windows Mobile Omnia II and HTC's Android Droid Eris.

The total number will be seven if Apple’s devices, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 (included on the performance page) were also taken into account.

Apple started the web page to show that not just iPhone 4, which courted controversy over its antenna issues ever since its launch, but other smartphones in the industry are too plagued by antenna issues.

Industry experts not in agreement with Apple’s claim over Droid X
However, not just the makers of Droid X but there are some market experts, who seem to disagree with Apple’s analysis of antenna problems in other smartphones especially Motorola Droid X.

The video posted on the web page showed that several bars on the new Droid X dropped (sometime even to zero) when held with a normal grip.

As per Engadget, "Unlike Apple's other videos, we can't seem to recreate this one as easily with our Droid Xs."

Even Computerworld’s Preston Gralla, who reviewed Droid X, did not encounter the antenna issue with the device. In a report, Gralla stated, "When I want to make a phone call with the Droid X. Then I make the call. No duct tape, new case, or bumpers required. You can't say the same about the iPhone 4."

Some are even speculating that Apple included Droid X in the list because company is feeling threatened by Verizon’s latest Android offering.

Companies included in Apple survey deny antenna issues in their devices
Companies like, BlackBerry maker RIM, Nokia, Samsung and HTC included by Apple in its list have denied Apple’s claim that their devices are too plagued by antenna issues.

"The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones," said HTC's chief financial officer Hui-Meng Cheng.

As per co-CEOs, Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie of RIM, "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.”