The LA Times notes that its launch has been accompanied by a missing prototype, a suicide and a dubious debut.

The string of woes have [sic] been so striking that some have sought alternative explanations, including the notion that the phone may simply be jinxed. One theory focuses on the number four.

In China, where the iPhone is manufactured, four is considered to be bad luck. That’s largely because the word for four is nearly identical to the word for death. Many buildings in Hong Kong do not have a fourth floor, and people try to avoid phone numbers and license plates with “4″ in them.

Interesting. Sort of.

Meanwhile, MacRumors live-blogged Steve Jobs’ press conference regarding the phone.

We knew if you gripped the iPhone in a certain way, the bars would go down, just like every smartphone. It’s a challenge to the industry and we’re hoping to contribute to some solutions over the coming years.

- Only 0.55% of iPhone 4 customers have called AppleCare about the antenna issue. Historically not a large number for us. Return rates through AT&T for iPhone 4 are at 1.7%, far below the gold standard iPhone 3GS return rate of 6%.

- AT&T data on dropped call rates. Exact data not available due to competitive reasons, but we can say that despite our belief that the iPhone 4 has a better antenna design than the 3GS, dropped call rates have increased. But how much? Less than one call per 100 more than iPhone 3GS.

- It’s not much difference, but it’s too much for us, and we want to know why. Jobs’ theory is that when the iPhone 3GS came out, there was already a healthy market for cases that fit it. With the iPhone 4, 80% of consumers are buying the phone without a case, and we can’t make bumpers fast enough.

Sounds good. But will it stop the iBleeding?

- Our engineers see there’s a problem, but it’s affecting only a small number of people. I’ve received over 5000 emails from customers who are having no problems and don’t understand the fuss. But we care about every user, and we’re not going to stop until everyone is happy.

- Here’s what we’re going to do. Yesterday, we released iOS 4.0.1…everyone should update.

- Free cases for everyone who bought or buys an iPhone 4 through September 30th. If you’ve bought one already, we’ll refund you. We can’t make enough bumpers, so we’ll source some third-party cases and you can pick. Apply on Apple’s site starting late next week.