Weekly high-tech hot topics in the blogs: iOS 4 release, iPhone 4 reviews and reception issues

(AFP PHOTO MIGUEL MEDINA)

Hot topics in the tech blogs for the week ending June 25 include iPhone 4 reviews and comparisons, iPhone 4 reception issues, iOS 4 release and your privacy, Google Voice gets a US-wide rollout, and Microsoft's Bing embraces entertainment.

iPhone 4 reviews
Technology journalists posted their iPhone 4 reviews en masse this week the minute the embargo was lifted. Walter S. Mossberg from The Wall Street Journal called it "the best device in its class" and CNET reminded people that "Apple has a unique talent for making us want something we never knew we wanted."

iPhone 4 reception issues
Despite glowing reviews, early iPhone 4 adopters started reporting that they were experiencing drops in signal when holding the phone by the metal frame (the metal frame forms part of the iPhone 4's antenna system). "[I]t's a design compromise that is forced by the requirements of the FCC, AT&T, Apple's marketing department and Apple's industrial designers, to name a few," explained Spencer Webb, a consultant on antenna design and integration. Engadget was forwarded an email reply one reader received from Steve Jobs about the issue. Jobs suggested users "Just avoid holding it in that way."

iOS 4 reviews and your privacy
Reviews of Apple's i-device operating system hit the blogs this week. Journalists keenly reported on "what's new, notable, and what needs work" within the OS. The iOS 4 update also brought with it concerns over "Apple collecting, sharing iPhone users' precise locations."

Google Voice
Mobile users in the US were treated to a nation-wide rollout of Google's communications manager, Google Voice. The service, which was previously in beta and required an invitation to sign up, lets consumers use "one number to ring all your phones, voicemail that works like email, free calls and text messages to the U.S. and Canada, low-priced international calls and more."

Bing entertainment experience
Microsoft beefed up its search engine this week with its offering of "more entertainment choices plus free music streaming." Users can now stream over 5 million songs, find detailed information on more than 35,000 games and find lyrics to their favorite songs in the one place.