New iPhone not that 'gripping' for left-handers

LONDON: If you are a left-hander and planning to buy the new Apple iPhone 4, then think again, many new owners of the must-have mobile have said that it is not that good for left-handed people.

Since its launch, many people have complained that the gadget loses network signal when its lower left hand corner is covered.

And it poses a bigger problem for people who are left-handed, who can't help but cover the bottom-left corner when holding it in their palm to make a call.

In fact, Apple bosses have apparently said people to be careful as they hold it.

The iPhone 4 features a revolutionary new design, which places its antennas in a stainless steel band that runs around the handset.

This allows it to be 24 per cent thinner than the previous 3GS model.

However, annoyed owners, who queued up for hours and paid as much as 599 pounds for the gadget, have been quick to post videos on the internet demonstrating the problem.

One US website claims Apple boss Steve Jobs emailed one complainer to say, "Just avoid holding it in that way."

But respected technology site Engadget has also published what it says is an official statement from Apple responding to the issue.

"Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas," the Sun quoted the statement as saying.

"This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases," continued the statement.

Apple is selling a plastic surround for the handset called a Bumper, which protects the edges and the stainless steel strip. It costs 21 dollars.