Considering the fact that the Apple iOS4 has been met with nothing but criticisms lately, it seems only natural for the Cupertino-based company to release a tweak for their operating system. The iOS 4.0.1. update was released in a hurry, perhaps because Apple is trying to appease their fans and make up for the reception issues plaguing the Apple iPhone 4.
This new operating system promises to fix the infamous signal bar discrepancy in the iPhone 4. In the support notes, Apple described the update, saying that it “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display”. This sounds a bit misleading, since the real problem with the launch batches of iPhone 4s are suffering from bad design and not an overly optimistic formula.
With reports hinting at a mass recall for Apple, the mobile industry giant may want to reconsider this course of action. After all, their quick fix years before is the one that brought about this big reception quality mess in the first place.
Nevertheless, Apple’s update is compatible with not only the iPhone 4 but also the older iPhone 3G and 3GS models. It is now available through iTunes if you would like to check it out. While it does not improve the reception quality or solve the problem of your hand blocking the mobile phone’s built in antenna, at least it can tell you accurately how bad your reception actually is.
When new users connect their iPhones, there will be a prompt that leads them to the update page. At least Apple is not just sitting back and counting their profits from their 1.7 million fans. Hopefully there really is something good and useful about this upgrade.
This little tidbit was just released, hours before the Cupertino company’s conference. At the moment, the bigwigs are trying to figure out how they can fix the number of things wrong with their device.
Posts Tagged ‘antenna’
iOS 4.0.1 Update: Could This Really Fix the Antenna Problem?
Monday, July 19th, 2010Apple iPhone 4: No Recalls, No Fixes –So Far
Friday, July 16th, 2010
A recall of all iPhone 4 handsets would be completely illogical. While it does solve the problem at hand, it also seems to open up new avenues for problems as well. This means that Apple is not about to dig itself into a financial hole by recalling the iPhone 4.
At the same time, many are already wondering what the folks at Cupertino are really up to and why this problem wasn’t picked up before the release of the iPhone 4, considering the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS had no similar issues.
Many iPhone 4 users are already suggesting that Apple give out free iPhone 4 bumpers (which simply wrap around the antenna) that would allow users to operate the device without and issues regarding dropped calls and other similar problems.
According to experts, a recall would need the total sum of over 980 million GPB, and that is just the first part of it. It does not cover the ads and follow up marketing that Apple would need to do in order to repair the reputation of the smart phone after a recall has been issued. Simply put, Apple cannot afford to have any device fixed as it would be an admission of the issue at hand.
But what about the iPhone 4 owners -Apple is already working on new solutions. Despite the fact that the recall would not push through, nothing will stop Apple from providing users with means to fix the device or add on an existing accessory (as stated, the iPhone 4 bumper). And the longer they ignore the problem and not provide any solutions, the more public support for Apple is likely to drop.
For those unfamiliar with the problem at hand, many iPhone 4 owners complained about calls being dropped all of a sudden on their handsets. The issue was later traced to the fact that a part of the antenna (which was the entire metal band around the handset) was exposed at a certain point that would cause the device to lose coverage if it came into contact with human skin –which often occurred when the device was held up to the ear using the left hand.
Issues with the iPhone: Solved with Practicality
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Apple needs to chill out and relax. While the iPhone 4 may be riddled with bugs and issues there is really nothing that is unfixable with the handset. In fact, it can even be said that the device is one big toy that users should have fun fixing.
Of course, nobody likes to be reminded that the expensive smart phone that they are using is defective, but when that really is the case, there is nothing wrong about seeking solutions elsewhere.
Take the Apple iPhone antenna. We have all heard the story: touch the antenna and lose the connection. While Apple’s answer may be some mumbo jumbo about the signal strength meter, users have been demanding one thing: free iPhone bumpers. The new accessory is designed perfectly to help solve the issue. Of course, Apple refuses to give away anything for free and anyone who is not willing to deal with the problem of paying 25 Pounds might want to try sticking on a tape on the side or even using nail polish.
The iPhone’s screen is also prone to big yellow spots. Now this is actually something that people should not be worried about. Apple’s initial reaction to the problem is actually right: simply ignore it and it will naturally go away. While waiting for the yellow spots to evaporate, users can contemplate on plenty of reasons why an Android would have been less of a problem.
The iPhone’s front facing camera is actually one of the most talked about new features when the device was being leaked. This is why it was such a major disappointment to fans when they learned about Apple FaceTime. The big solution here would be to use Fring. The new video chat app has been designed to be completely compatible with WiFi and 3G as well as being able to connect users with Google Android and other OS users.
iPhone 4 Signal Bar Issue may be the Result of a Rehashed Formula
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Because they were not able to contain the public fiasco caused by the iPhone 4’s reception issues, Apple issued an open letter which gives light to the prevalent problem. It turns out that the formula used to compute signal strength was wrong all along. It displayed a much higher reading when compared to the actual signal received by the mobile phone.
Since an apology (sort of) from the Cupertino giant is a rarity, their public statement is quite refreshing. It, indeed, shows a different side to the company. However, the iPhone 4 team seemed to deliberately leave out a few interesting tidbits in their letter.
While the iPhone signal issue has not reached this scale in the past, this is not the first time it became a problem. Back in July 2008, Apple released the version 2.0 iPhone 3G update. Later on in August that year, a rushed update (version 2.0.1) went live to correct a myriad of bugs. Support notes do not indicate a revision of the formula used to display signal strength, however, sites such as AppleInsider have reported a significant jump in reception readings:
“Apple may have changed the calibration of the iPhone’s reception bars while connected to a 3G network to reflect a stronger signal than before.”
Even CBS Interactive’s tech news site, ZDNet, noted the improvement in reception strength after the update was rolled out. But was it truly an improvement or was it purely cosmetic? The latter seems more likely, especially after Apple confessed the altered reception readings.
The added bars may have boosted the perspective on the popular mobile device a few years back, however, now it seems people are wising up. With the inaccurate signal strength readings and the thoughtless antenna placement, Apple has gotten themselves in quite a fix. At least the company came clean on the issue.
Apple: Blaming the UI for Antenna Issues
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
In what is probably the most creative excuse a mobile phone maker has ever made, Apple has made an open letter to the public discussing how the iPhone OS’s signal strength meter is the culprit to be blamed for all the issues regarding the antenna of the Apple iPhone 4.
According to the folks at Cupertino, the iPhone’s signal strength meter was not programmed properly and lacked the accuracy to depict real signal strength. This badly programmed meter apparently showed much higher signals when the phone was in areas of low reception. With the signal meter showing up to four to five bars, users would be led to believe that they are in area of good network reception. The graphic would not correct itself until users actually tried making a call and the bars would suddenly drop to show the actual signal in the area.
While somewhat believable, many iPhone 4 owners are calling foul on Apple’s unapologetic open letter detailing why the new smart phone is having issues. The letter goes on to indicate that the problem has been around since the first iPhones and they have only discovered the problem now.
Many, however, doubt the validity of Apple’s claim for two major reasons. The first argument is the statement where Apple insists that the problem has been around for three years with their other handsets. Had this been true, then the issue would have been brought to light later on. With the sheer volume of complaints regarding dropped calls and signal drops for the iPhone 4, it is unlikely that the problem existed with the earlier models, like the 3Gs.
Also, Apple has also acknowledged the fact that holding the iPhone 4 with the left hand is more likely to cause a drop in signal strength. This symptom can be traced to hardware issues with the ergonomic design of the handset –as the antenna placement certainly did not account for how users would hold the phone.