Cheap Solutions for the Signal Problem

Some people think that Apple should be handing out free cases to keep its loyal customers from going on a strike. But no such thing happens, and most users are stuck with the only official solution to spend $30 on a bumper for their iPhone. However, what you need is just a little ingenuity.

Rubber wristbands, so popular with cyclists, fit the iPhone 4 almost perfectly when they are stretched around the antennae. Apart from having to make small incisions for the speakers (1.125 inches long by 0.125 inches wide), it’s a pretty effortless and, very importantly, cheap way to solve the infamous problem.

If you don’t fancy this solution, there’s also another way – a vinyl skin from AWrapForThat. The skin fully wraps the perimeter of the iPhone and prevents direct contact with the antennae that causes the device to lose signal. The skin already has all the necessary cut outs for the headphones, SIM card and speakers.

At the moment the company is selling wraps in 8 different solid colors and 12 patterns. The cost is $9.99 – not as cheap as the DIY-solution but still better than Apple cases!