At first, the company simply urged customers to refrain from gripping the device in the trouble spot.

ENGADGET: Senator Chuck Schumer writes open letter to Steve Jobs, world is officially doomed

That way, the software can essentially ignore the touches of whatever paw it thinks is gripping the device.

ENGADGET: Synaptics Sensa grip-sensing tablet concept hands-on

According to Consumer Reports' review, released Monday on its website, the iPhone 4's signal-strength problem is a hardwire glitch triggered by gripping the device in a particular manner.

ENGADGET: Senator Chuck Schumer writes open letter to Steve Jobs, world is officially doomed