RIM, maker of the BlackBerry brand of smartphones, has responded angrily to Apple’s claims that “all smartphones” suffer from problems with reception due to antenna placement – and especially to Apple’s mention of the BlackBerry brand in its Friday press conference responding to problems with the iPhone 4.

Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, RIM’s co-chief executives, issued a joint statement in response:

They said, “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.”

Apple’s newly-introduced page on smartphone antennas says that “In our tests, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 dropped from 5 bars to 1 bar when held in a way that attenuated the signal” and points out that the antenna is fitted in the base of the phone. It also compares reception effects on other phones, including the iPhone 3GS, HTC Droid Eris and Samsung Omnia II.

Source: Guardian Technology