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Apple's IPhone 3G Firmware Update Bombs

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the oops-they-did-it-again dept.

JagsLive writes "After lots of complaints about iPhone 3G connection issues, Apple released a firmware update Monday with hopes it would fix the issues. But early reports suggest it didn't work as planned. Complaints have included dropped calls, abrupt network switches, poor reception, and service interruptions. Apple declined to offer details about its iPhone 2.0.1 update, other than saying it included 'bug fixes.' However, comments in Apple's support forum say plenty about the latest attempt to rectify poor user experiences. In fact, the update seems to be causing new issues, apparently interfering with the GPS function, among others."

9 of 423 comments (clear)

  1. Tough to fix hardware issue with firmware patch by xmas2003 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sounds more and more like a hardware issue with the chipset ... so early adopters are may end up suffering ... be interesting to see if they "quietly" roll out a Rev 2 or publicly announce it.

    --
    Hulk SMASH Celiac Disease
    1. Re:Tough to fix hardware issue with firmware patch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Not at all. Just reduce the "number of bars" shown in the user interface and make the phone lose connection predictably at a higher threshold. Problem fixed.

    2. Re:Tough to fix hardware issue with firmware patch by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Tough to fix hardware issue with firmware patch

      Tweak the firmware so the hardware issues are less obvious. Drop to edge quicker.

      --
      There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
    3. Re:Tough to fix hardware issue with firmware patch by Have+Blue · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Apparently that was part of the problem before this patch- the phone was too picky about 3G signals. This caused a lot of people to get Edge when they expected 3G. Apple tweaked it a little so that the phone will tolerate dirtier 3G now. For some people this let them use a borderline signal and get mostly good performance, for others it made the phone grab at a really terrible signal and fail completely.

  2. Disabled Apps by jrivar59 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    On my iPhone, 2.02 completely disabled all 3rd party apps. Any apps installed run for just a few seconds before returning to the app screen. Deleting and re-installing doesn't help.

    Good job apple.

  3. Re:Obligatory... by kannibal_klown · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's pretty sad that the 3G iPhone is running into problems. Especially since it has such high visibility due to everyone wanting one.

    Actually, if this was any other cellphone company you would just get some bad reviews on a hardware site... and that's it. The fact that it's Apple means that it is appearing in more mainstream media.

    Oh no, the Nokia xxxx is dropping calls left and right. Yawn. Oh no the Razor isn't great. Yawn.

    Umm there's a problem with the iPho... OMG! CNN needs to cover this!

    I've had/used cellphones that were pieces of garbage; dropped calls, poor reception, etc.

    I guess that's the problem with a re-design; had they just refreshed the original iPhone there would be few technical glitches. But rolling out a new circuit board is causing them some headaches.

  4. It's all Steve Jobs' fault for yelling by Animats · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I happen to know the guy who headed the RF software group for the original iPhone. He's a low-key sort, from the industrial high-reliability real time world. He did not like being yelled at by Steve Jobs. So, shortly after the first iPhones were out and working, he quit.

    Apple found someone else to do the 3G version. Probably not someone from the industrial high-reliability real time world.

  5. That's the problem by MattW · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Actually, some independent analysis has shown that's the issue - the firmware is too anxious to jump to EDGE. Another problem is that in some places, ATT's equipment is placed at 2.5G distances, but 3G needs closer towers, so ATT needs to step up and get some upgrades in place. But there are a lot of indicators that it's the immature software ON the infineon chip, not the chip itself, that is causing issues.

  6. Re:Obligatory... by Lemmy+Caution · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "Just Works" post.....

    Interestingly, I find it fairly insightful to see how the great unwashed masses are complaining about this, yet, for the most part, Apple is getting a "free pass" from pundit's, media, and most of the public because of past marketing.

    What would the reaction have been if this was some other company?

    Just a though that rattles around in my brain.

    Not only is it "past marketing," it's the clamorous fan-base that sends death-threats to columnists who say negative things about Apple products that make them very reluctant to criticize too quickly.

    The RDF is real. When I used Windows, if something was broken or I needed some application to do something, I would get a range of suggestions and, frequently, sympathetic remarks from other Windows users with the same problems. The attitude from Apple forums is generally that if an Apple product doesn't meet my needs or expectations, there's something wrong with my needs and expectations. There is a lot I like about my MacBook, but I'm getting fed up.