Filed under: Steve Jobs, iPhone
iPhone update for 3G issues; more coming in September?
Jim Dalrymple at Macworld notes that the iPhone software update from Monday was mostly to handle issues with dropped calls on new iPhone 3G handsets. According to an Associated Press article, the update "improved communication with 3G networks," said Apple spokesperson Jennifer Bowcock.
However, some Macworld commenters are saying the update hasn't helped with dropped calls, even in areas with a strong signal.
What's more, according to an AppleInsider rumor, another update is scheduled for September that addresses an issue where non-default applications will repeatedly crash. A tipster claims to have received a Steveogram saying the issue "is a known iPhone bug that is being fixed in the next software update in September." (Chairman Jobs is known to occasionally respond to complaint emails with terse but sympathetic notes.)
The crashing problem has remained unresolved so far, and it has resulted in large and angry Apple support discussions about the topic. Steve's one-line explanation may at least provide a target for users for when they can start using their iPhones as intended.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chris said 2:08PM on 8-20-2008
The 2.0.2 update hasn't done anything for my dropped calls. Even when I have full signal strength and 3G connectivity I experience drops and failing to make outgoing calls. As a 20+ year Apple customer I've found myself to just be continually more and more disappointed by them.
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Stormwater said 2:44PM on 8-20-2008
I agree. I wish Apple and AT&T would live up to the premium price point with a better network and service.
http://www.filterra.com
AJL said 6:43PM on 8-20-2008
The problem is that the ATT 3G network well and truly sucks. I'm finding dead zones all over, and this is in downtown Boston.
But. Is anybody else noticing a HUGE increase in speed? Used to be I couldn't break 60kB/s on inetworktest. Now I get 750-950. This is as fast as my cable modem.
I want tether!
AJL said 7:54PM on 8-20-2008
1033kB/s! (in Somerville, MA)
db said 2:28PM on 8-20-2008
Before the update mine would not drop calls it simply "failed" a few times when calling out, sometimes. After this update I actually had my first dropped call. Cool, not.
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Dan Sheerman said 2:28PM on 8-20-2008
Is it because I'm from the UK, or am I just really lucky in *never* having had a dropped call, on my iPhone 3G, 1st gen, or any other phone on o2?
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Matt said 2:30PM on 8-20-2008
I hope this updates helps with connectivity issues in my apartment. With my old Verizon phone I didn't have any problems. But with this phone I rarely have more than 1 bar, if any. More bars in more places? Not in South Boston.
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Drew said 2:34PM on 8-20-2008
I am in Cincinnati and I have noticed that my phone now stays connected to 3G and I am truly getting 3G speeds! One thing I had to do after the restart was turn 3G off and then back on again but it has been fine every since. I have not experienced dropped calls.
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jbella said 2:34PM on 8-20-2008
How do you separate out dropped call issues caused by buggy software with your run-of the-mill dropped call that all cell phones experience from time to time?
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YodaMac said 2:38PM on 8-20-2008
Correct me if I'm wrong, but does 3G have ANYTHING to do with dropped calls and voice reception?... I think not.
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Nick said 2:47PM on 8-20-2008
Yes most 3G phones would use the 3G network placing calls as well as data and such because 3G is supposed to be better voice quality as well as reliable and faster for data and calls but so far with AT&T that hasnt been the case.
Just like if your phone was only capable of Edge, your calls will be going through and coming through the Edge network as well as Data and such.
Some people think that 3G only handles data and that is all its useful for but no it also handles phone calls and etc.
totoro said 3:28PM on 8-20-2008
I think the issue has something to do with how the iPhone is switching between 3G/EDGE/GPRS improperly, resulting in dropped connections. That would be Apple's issue.
The spotty 3G coverage/signal strength? That would be AT&T's issue.
I think its a combination of both issues, along with some unrealistic expectations of the typically demanding Apple customer :p
NNelson said 2:49PM on 8-20-2008
What??? A cellphone drops calls?
Somebody call the CIA!
Oh, wait I can't because I have no signal! What to do?
People, people... Jesusphone is only a nickname. Mine has all kinds of quirks, and I get pissed when Safari freezes the whole damn thing and it won't even respond to the on/off switch... but freaking out over dropped calls?
Really?
Its a cellphone. Thats what they do.
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Nick said 2:56PM on 8-20-2008
I feel the same way but at the same time the main reason why I have the iPhone is mainly for the phone and its ridiculous because I have had t-mobile and verizon in the past and I have never experienced drop calls then I switch to AT&T and its almost with every calls I make, and not to mention how they keep advertising more bars in more areas and the whole no drop calls bs...and also how much we pay for the crappy service per month!?!
just sayin
JT said 2:54PM on 8-20-2008
The 2.0.2 update appears to have made my 3G connectivity issue worse than it was with 2.0.1. Very frustrating. I'm in SF on top of a hill overlooking the city and I've never been able to receive (or keep) a strong 3G signal. (Other 3G phones consistently receive 5 bars in the same location.) With 2.0 and 2.0.1 I experienced the same erratic switching behavior that others were experiencing but seldom experienced a dropped call. Now the switching is more erratic, it drops calls, the static while on a call is bad, and I get the "No Service" indicator frequently. Prior to the 2.0.2 update I only saw the No Service indicator a couple times. If the 2.0.2 update was intended to alleviate these 3G connectivity issues it has gone in the wrong direction for my phone here in SF. I hope they get the software/firmware optimized soon. If not, they need to issue a recall for the faulty units before more bad press arises. Jobs has got to be beside himself with all the issues they've faced in the recent product/service launches.
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Josh said 3:11PM on 8-20-2008
JT,
You are not a lone, my friend. We have a post up about this very issue on CTA. At this point, we recommend to anyone thinking about taking the leap to 2.0.2 to only do so if you are completely screwed on 2.0.1 because it doesn't seem to help most of the iPhones out there. Some iPhones have been great from the beginning, some have been horrible. It's more a case-by-case basis right now. I've personally had a horrible experience from the 3G since I bought it over a month ago. Take a look at the site and see if anything there helps your situation.
http://www.cocoatouchapps.com/
Nixta said 7:22PM on 8-20-2008
Yeah, not alone indeed.
I live in NYC and at 2.0.1 things weren't bad. Never had "No Signal" except in the elevator, although didn't get nearly as many bars as with T-Mobile who I had to dump after 9 years (yes, since they were still Voicestream).
Being an impetuous fool, I jumped at 2.0.2. Any improvement? Nah. Nothing. Contacts still crap and slow.
http://nixtarolls.nixta.com/post/46698145
Before this I've had a SonyEricsson K800i and K810i for the past 3 years, and with T-Mobile never a dropped call (except in tunnels) and as far as I recall always service.
What's interesting to me is that my wife's identical iPhone is still at 2.0.1 and works a treat. I wonder, is it possible to downgrade?
Phones and networks are notoriously tricky. I think people's standards are too low if they think constantly dropped calls is normal, unless it's while they're travelling at high speeds with poor reception and cell-tower switching can't keep up.
I like Apple. They took on a difficult industry here, but right now it seems a little like too many engineers running on too little sleep being put under too much pressure by too many scared execs after the phone and OS were released a little too soon. Normally networks and phone manufacturers test and test and test and test before release. Not apparently so this time (or so I've read).
aelle said 3:03PM on 8-20-2008
iPhone. Really needs updates... Serious one...
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Athtart said 3:33PM on 8-20-2008
I happily await the September update as the "app crash" and disappearing iPod content have plagued my new 3G iPhone. Having tried EVERY solution in the discussion forums (yes, I have spent Dozens of hours over the past week and a half trying to resolve these very issues), I finally reverted my iTunes to 7.7 running firmware 2.0.1 and have been Crash Free for several days now! I will likely avoid updating iTunes until the next firmware update if at all possible.
YMMV ;-)
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Burk ferden said 3:36PM on 8-20-2008
People say that the 3 G is not related to dropping calls. For me it is absolutely the reason. Wehn I come home I get barely 1 bar of 3g but if I turn off 3g I get 5 bars of edge. I find it appalong that the phone would rather drop almost every call to hang on to the 3g then switch over to edge.
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