Comments on: Report: Software fix in the works for iPhone 3G

Business Week reports that a software fix could be the answer to reception problems that have been frustrating iPhone 3G owners, rather than a more drastic recall.

[oneoclock]

I am both bewildered and amused to witness all those internet junkies having a frenzy feeding on internet rumours. All it takes to get them excited is a few folks to post a "doesn't work here" rant involving any big brand name, and the bigger the brand, the bigger the resulting frenzy. How many 3G iPhones have been sold and how many folks have complained about dropped calls or bad reception? how many of those have blown up their problem report to get more attention? I am not saying there is no problem, there may well be, but until there is proper data to confirm that there is, its just hearsay. And even if there is a problem, any speculation about the cause and how it might be fixed is even further off at this point.

[quinnt01]

Oneoclock: The problem is real, at least for me. And it's not only restricted to the coasts. My iPhone drops calls all the time in the Twin Cities area, and once in awhile all I hear is a screech when I dial out. The reception bars bounce from high to zero as I watch them, while my partner's old ATT phone holds steady. Shutting off 3G seems to help.

[Kings X Rocks!]

oneoclock, it's because it's safe and "anonymous" to post fud on the many forums on the www. courage comes easy when hiding behind a keyboard.

part of the "fun" of reading all these technical forums is the postings by those who just like the colored lights and have no idea what makes actually makes them blink...or even if they should be blinking or not.

windows is better than linux is better than osx...there, i did it!

[rscorer614]

So, by this report, does that mean Apple has actually admitted....shutter.....a...shutter....problem!?
HOLY BE-JESUS BATMAN! But, as always, Apple is only doing the right thing by never acknowledging this problem, then blaming the chip maker, not their own company which I'm sure knew of the problem due to rigorous testing and such....oh wait, didn't they rush this out to be able to get you sheep to buy the same thing you bought a year ago?
Apple is getting to big for itself.

[rdwalton]

I think "oneclock" needs a timeout or maybe he's related to Jobs and don't like people saying nastying and (true) things about the rotten-Apple.

[Paul Grantham]

There are many of use "first generation" iPhone users whose Mail stopped working with the 2.0 release. The Mail client looses its connection to the server permanently. Instead you get the little wheel turning and the message "connecting" or "getting mail". The only fix is to reboot the iPhone. It then gets mail for one fetch, then fails again.

It seems they may have borrowed some programmers from Microsoft for 2.0 release. Most frustrating is that this problem has gone unacknowledged for over a month. Check out the posts at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7871800#7871800. It has about 500 posts and 25,000 views. No comment from Apple.

[svzurich]

"So will my Ipod Touch get 3G with this update?? :-P"

Yes! It will! Like the other software updates for the Touch, this one will incur a cost. Expect to pay $199-$299 depending on which solution you want, and have to buy new accessories or use a dremel.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Apple controls the hardware and the software...therefore all is perfect in Apple-Land. NOT !
It just means you pay more for sub-standard , rushed to market Chinese made junk.
Much as a Communist regime controls you...Apple also controls you.

[ralfthedog]

I think it may be a 3G load issue. I live on the edge (Bad pun) of 3g service. My first iPhone 3g worked great. After my first iPhone pulled a Matrix and shattered on the pavement, Apple gave me a second one. I have had quite a bit of trouble with 3g and had to drop down to Edge. The drop in service quality was not instantaneous, it happened over time.

My phone works great with 3g turned off, and works great on 3g if I am close to a tower. I think I might start plotting 3g levels at strange times to see if I get a weaker signal when more people are using, and less when people are not.

If the problem is related to over use of 3g, the problem would not have accrued during testing. My guess is it is a combination of ATT over selling 3g service and the iPhone not coping with too many phones fighting for the same time slice. Lack of 3g is not that big of a deal to me. I am almost always in range of wifi.