Despite evidence to the contrary, Apple recently declared that the iPhone 4 antenna problem essentially didn't exist, and was instead a result of a flaky algorithm used to determine signal strength. Since that time, additional evidence has surfaced highlighting that the problem is very much a real design flaw in the phone, though Apple has remained dead quiet on the issue.

But as the phone's problems have become mainstream mocking fare, Apple's been forced to change their silent treatment ways, and has announced they'll be holding a press conference on Friday to discuss the issue with carefully selected members of the tech press. This is going to be a make or break event for Apple, who can make things worse if they continue down a path of denial (unless they come up with a lie that's just really good and uses lots of convincing pie charts).

Update: It also seems that Apple's getting ready to release iOS 4.1, which as most everyone expected, does absolutely nothing for the phone's antenna problem.

Update 2: Consumer Reports is back with more tests that confirm the Apple bumper case does alleviate the problem (as does duct tape).