3 months in and Apple's support for the iPad has been pathetic.

[wrkactjob]

Apple employs 20 people, 2 of which have to make the tea for the others. Steve sits in the office down the end by the toilets.

I think they are going to bring out some new hardware soon that has only partly been tested in order to satisfy the publics insatiable thirst for new technology.

 

[wyneken]

What really does bug me is that they haven't updated their own apps for the iPad. Shoulda been done day 1.

Could you be more specific about this? As far as I know, Pages, Keynote and iBooks have all been updated to version 1.1. (I don't know about Numbers because I don't use that.)

 

[cmvsm]

If the initial estimated ratio of users experiencing problems still holds true for today (~5000 users out of 1M iPads sold initially, or ~15K users out of 3M iPads sold today), that's roughy one half of one percent of buyers have a problem. Hardly a situation for Apple to signal the 'red alert' and stop the presses. With hardware and software being equal in every iPad that is massed produced, this has to be one off software issues with the router or overall connectivity. If 99.5% of all iPads are 'OK', there really is not other explanation for the problem.

I've had seven iPads at my disposal, and have not had any wifi issues with any of them. Again, I'm not dismissing those that are having issues, but if I were having an issue, I'd work through a process of elimination and find out where the connectivity problem is coming from, as the iPad is just a part of the equation.

 

[Angryipadguy]

If the initial estimated ratio of users experiencing problems still holds true for today (~5000 users out of 1M iPads sold initially, or ~15K users out of 3M iPads sold today), that's roughy one half of one percent of buyers have a problem. Hardly a situation for Apple to signal the 'red alert' and stop the presses. With hardware and software being equal in every iPad that is massed produced, this has to be one off software issues with the router or overall connectivity. If 99.5% of all iPads are 'OK', there really is not other explanation for the problem.

I've had seven iPads at my disposal, and have not had any wifi issues with any of them. Again, I'm not dismissing those that are having issues, but if I were having an issue, I'd work through a process of elimination and find out where the connectivity problem is coming from, as the iPad is just a part of the equation.

I am on my 3rd iPad all of which have had wi-fi issues. Funny thing is my bro in laws has zero problem on all the networks mine has issues on! So in my eyes and everyone elses it must be a problem with the ipads. Not all hardware and software is made equal. I learnt that years ago when I used to build liquid cooled gaming rigs.

 

[msavwah]

Could you be more specific about this? As far as I know, Pages, Keynote and iBooks have all been updated to version 1.1. (I don't know about Numbers because I don't use that.)

Remote, gallery, iDisk. Still not universal + versions. Only iPhone versions with the 2x option.
Most annoying is the remote app doesn't even rotate to landscape.

This stuff can literally be done in less than a day. The fact that little things like this have been overlooked or neglected is very un-apple.

 

[emptyCup]

This is just pathetic considering how big a company Apple is

Apple is a tenth the size of Microsoft (one twentieth if you don't count store employees). Twenty times larger and it took Microsoft 10 years to get a successor to XP out the door. Patience.

 

[Worthy.Of.Ed]

Telling us all that your iPad has given you none of these issues is truly a waste of time.

I'm going to waste your time then and tell you that I have not experienced these issues either.

If all of these issues are so easily fixed and these apps are so easily updated, within a day as some people seem to think.... Then why don't some of you geniuses offer your services to Apple for a day and do us all a favor and fix it!

Like some of the smarter people have said, I'd rather wait and have them do it correctly than have some quick fix solution pumped out that just screws up something else.

You all still religiously buy Apple products. So they must be doing something right.

 

[GaresTaylan]

What is going on in your house means absolutely nothing to the people who are having these problems in their house, or favorite coffee house, or work, etc, etc. Telling us all that your iPad has given you none of these issues is truly a waste of time.

I can assure you this problem has nothing to do with old firmware on routers, because the router I use every day at my home is a very common D-Link router and the firmware is most definitely up to date.

Yes, you do sound like an apologist to me, even if you don't think so. Instead of asking if Apple has the manpower to test the iPad with every router, why not ask why the heck this problem doesn't exist on my iPhone, or my iMac, etc, etc, etc? This problem simply never should have existed to begin with, so as a paying customer it's not really my concern how the iPad wifi got screwed up. Apple simply needs to fix it ASAP.

Also, it certainly could make you wonder if the iPad wifi troubles are hardware related. Just as we've seen with the iPhone 4, Apple certainly isn't going to admit it if the iPad has design flaws with it's wifi antenna.



Again, as a CUSTOMER I don't really care about Apple's "manpower" issues. If they don't have enough staff to support a product they're selling, shame on them, they weren't prepared to sell that product in the first place. They've already got my $600 for the iPad, and like I said earlier, it should be their #1 priority to make things work right for their customers who have already paid them. Apple is playing in the big boy world now, where people have to take responsibility for their screw ups. You talk about this like the company consists of a bunch of charitable friends who got together and released a shareware program, and I'm demanding too much of them.

Dude... You really need to find out who keeps dumping in your cheerios in the morning and get them to stop. People are going to have differing opinions and point of view as you. Do you “debate" or “discuss" things in the workplace or your personal life in this same fashion?

I understand you are upset. If I had this issue, I would be upset as well. If you are unsatisfied, don't buy the products anymore. If I go out and buy a Ford, and receive terrible service from the dealer afterward during a problem or two with my car... I won't shop there again or buy their products again. Apples to oranges... But similar concept.

 

[ks-man]

For those having WiFi problems, my issues were tied to Wireless N. I now connect to my B/G network and I notice that the WiFi strength and speed is fine. I can be in the same room as my B/G/N network and across the house from my B/G network and I'll still see far better performance from B/G. Not sure if this is the case with others having WiFi problems, but it is worth trying if you haven't.

Obviously Apple should fix the issue with Wireless N on the iPad, but my guess is that you aren't seeing faster internet speeds than 50Mbps so that should give Apple time to get it fixed. Hope this helps.

 

[jimHdk]

3 months after the iPad came out and Apple still has yet to release a firmware update for the wifi problem so many people have been experiencing. Luckily my wifi problems have been minimal, but I still get disconnected on occasion and I have to manually reconnect it to my router.

This is just pathetic considering how big a company Apple is, and it's clear they're just not making these problems a priority. Between the way they've handled these iPad problems and the way we've seen them handle this iPhone 4 fiasco, I'm beginning to have some serious doubts about Apple's integrity as a company.

My iPad has no WiFi problems and I would not like Apple to release an ill-conceived "fix" that makes the situation worse for more iPad users than are currently having problems.

Since the vast majority of iPad users aren't having any WiFi problems (there have been more than 3 million sold) why not just return your iPad for exchange or a refund. What are you waiting for?

 

[BruiserBear]

I'm going to waste your time then and tell you that I have not experienced these issues either.

If all of these issues are so easily fixed and these apps are so easily updated, within a day as some people seem to think.... Then why don't some of you geniuses offer your services to Apple for a day and do us all a favor and fix it!

Like some of the smarter people have said, I'd rather wait and have them do it correctly than have some quick fix solution pumped out that just screws up something else.

You all still religiously buy Apple products. So they must be doing something right.

Did it ever occur to you that actual app developers might visit these forums, and therefore would know how easy it is to update simple features in an app? Apparently not. Just like all the apologists you're always convinced Apple is doing the right thing.

You eat up whatever Apple tells you and never stop to think they're always going to spin things to make themselves look justified in whatever they do.

Also your suggestion that I continue to religiously buy their products is incorrect. If you had read the thread before replying you'd already know this. Until this iPad wifi crap I'd never had a problem with one of their products. However, I recently cancelled my iPhone 4 pre-order when I saw the pathetic way they began handling the various problems it launched with. I'm not about to get burned again buying one of their products only to have them ignore or pretend problems don't exist.

Dude... You really need to find out who keeps dumping in your cheerios in the morning and get them to stop. People are going to have differing opinions and point of view as you. Do you “debate" or “discuss" things in the workplace or your personal life in this same fashion?

I understand you are upset. If I had this issue, I would be upset as well. If you are unsatisfied, don't buy the products anymore. If I go out and buy a Ford, and receive terrible service from the dealer afterward during a problem or two with my car... I won't shop there again or buy their products again. Apples to oranges... But similar concept.

I don't debate people on their opinions. Unfortunately there are a lot of uninformed posters or people who simply wish to defend Apple regardless of the facts and I call it like I see it. I don't enjoy having my time wasted and conversations muddied up with people suggesting things that have nothing to do with the iPad's wifi problems.

Your suggestion that I just stop buying Apple products is rather silly in the context of this discussion. I've already bought their product. They've admitted the wifi has a problem! I'm just waiting for them to fix the problems.

Your suggestion that somehow I should just walk away now, and "don't buy another car from them", is the exact kind of smug reply I find irritating. Instead of either (a) not replying to this thread, or (b) acknowledging Apple should do right by there customers, you stop by to tell me what I should do differently. That is the work of an apologist.

My iPad has no WiFi problems and I would not like Apple to release an ill-conceived "fix" that makes the situation worse for more iPad users than are currently having problems.

Since the vast majority of iPad users aren't having any WiFi problems (there have been more than 3 million sold) why not just return your iPad for exchange or a refund. What are you waiting for?

Again, you assume Apple is always doing the right thing. You assume they're taking a long time to fix this because they're just wanting to do the best they can. Did it ever occur to you that they might be able to do things right and do it quicker than 3 months time?

Regarding returning the iPad. I'm not going to do that because I dont believe that is going to fix my wifi problem. Why do I think that? Because Apple has already said they're going to fix the wifi problems with a firmware update, which is the exact reason I created this thread. To ask why it's taking them so long.

 

[jimHdk]

Again, you assume Apple is always doing the right thing. You assume they're taking a long time to fix this because they're just wanting to do the best they can. Did it ever occur to you that they might be able to do things right and do it quicker than 3 months time?

I didn't assume anything. I simply said I don't want any half-baked fix for a problem I don't have.

Regarding returning the iPad. I'm not going to do that because I dont believe that is going to fix my wifi problem. Why do I think that? Because Apple has already said they're going to fix the wifi problems with a firmware update, which is the exact reason I created this thread. To ask why it's taking them so long.

Now you are the one assuming things. Your faith in Apple quickly fixing a problem that the vast majority of iPad users don't have is, perhaps, misplaced. Such a fix would might likely involve a change in the firmware of the Broadcom BCM 4329 WiFi/Bluetooth chip that the iPad uses. This might be something that Apple has to work out with Broadcom.

If I were having WiFi problems with my particular iPad and saw that most other iPad users were running without problem I wouldn't wait around for a unscheduled "fix". I would return my iPad for one that works. If a replacement iPad had the same problem then I would begin to suspect that there was something wrong with my network.

 

[CarboysDesire]

Has anyone considered that they have not released a fix because they don't know how to fix it?

That's what I think...they're stumped. With all the bad press lately they are trying their hardest to not have to admit it.

 

[chrono1081]

I'm going to waste your time then and tell you that I have not experienced these issues either.

If all of these issues are so easily fixed and these apps are so easily updated, within a day as some people seem to think.... Then why don't some of you geniuses offer your services to Apple for a day and do us all a favor and fix it!

Like some of the smarter people have said, I'd rather wait and have them do it correctly than have some quick fix solution pumped out that just screws up something else.

You all still religiously buy Apple products. So they must be doing something right.

+9024098208402883

First, if your using a Verizon FIOS router then thats probably your problem since most people do not have a wifi issue. Verizon uses crap hardware for their routers, trust me I know I used to work for them installing the things and psps, XBoxes, certain brand laptops, etc always had trouble staying connected to the things. Honestly, 99% of the time (and thats probably not a made up statistic) the router is at fault, not the device.

Second, nobody is apologizing for apple, they are just giving you the reality of it that it takes time to solve the problem (especially if its hard to reproduce) and then create a fix for it.

 

[Maaz]

Yeah ive been veey disappointed with apple's support of iPad. I just hope 4.0 is released soon.

 

[BruiserBear]

Now you are the one assuming things. Your faith in Apple quickly fixing a problem that the vast majority of iPad users don't have is, perhaps, misplaced. Such a fix would might likely involve a change in the firmware of the Broadcom BCM 4329 WiFi/Bluetooth chip that the iPad uses. This might be something that Apple has to work out with Broadcom.

If I were having WiFi problems with my particular iPad and saw that most other iPad users were running without problem I wouldn't wait around for a unscheduled "fix". I would return my iPad for one that works. If a replacement iPad had the same problem then I would begin to suspect that there was something wrong with my network.

Apple has stated they intend to fix this via a firmware update. I intend to see if they can do that. Your speculation about chips needing firmware updates is just random speculation.

You suggest I should go return my iPad at a store, in hopes of getting a new one with the same firmware I have now, and somehow that is going to fix the problem. Right. Unless you're suggesting there is a hardware flaw that they've somehow already corrected, that suggestion makes absolutely no sense. I've already seen comments from people saying they've exchanged their iPad, only to have the same problems. I've also seen people commenting on wifi problems after having just bought an iPad a week ago.

+9024098208402883

First, if your using a Verizon FIOS router then thats probably your problem since most people do not have a wifi issue. Verizon uses crap hardware for their routers, trust me I know I used to work for them installing the things and psps, XBoxes, certain brand laptops, etc always had trouble staying connected to the things. Honestly, 99% of the time (and thats probably not a made up statistic) the router is at fault, not the device.

Second, nobody is apologizing for apple, they are just giving you the reality of it that it takes time to solve the problem (especially if its hard to reproduce) and then create a fix for it.

If you had read the thread before replying you'd know that I own a D-Link router, and I have numerous other devices connected to it including an iMac, 2 iPhones, an Xbox 360, a PS3, a Wii, and none of them have issues with this router, so I'm not the least bit inclined to believe there is something wrong with my "network".


Regarding the wifi problems being "hard to reproduce". They're not. There are over 1,000 posts on this topic on Apple's support forums. I'm quite certain they could easily gather enough data from that thread to begin them down the road to fixing this very quickly. Not to mention stories like this one that discuss Princeton University personally identifying what the iPad was doing wrong with it's wifi, and explaining why they've begun blocking iPads because of it's faulty wifi.

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/04/17/princeton-university-details-ipad-wireless-networking-issues/

Apple has practically been handed a blueprint for these problems over 2 months ago. A fix most certainly should not be taking this long.

 

[briankwest77]

I have never once had this so called wifi problem.

/b

 

[0101001]

No wifi problems on my two and since you asked I think Apple has great customer support I have not had better.

 

[Capt T]

Let me add to the waste of your time.

No problem here or with the other 20 or so people I know have them.

It seems to me that if it is this big a deal to the OP you would have made an effort to exchange it. I know I would have. As you have stated yourself it seems to be a router issue...so that would not be Apple's problem. I have used mine at Starbucks, a few restaurants, and various hotels and conference centers, as well as one airport that had free wifi. In addition have used it with a Mifi and a Cradlepoint PHS300 and 500 router. No issues.

If it isn't a router issue then exchange it. Since you are in the .5 % as someone pointed out, there are pretty good odds you may get one that works. If it is a router issue then read the help document on Apple's website, or search here in these forums as many have solved the issue by changing their router settings. Or I guess you could just wait for an update, that is a choice too.

 

[atomicbatteries]

there is no wifi issue!

 

[Angryipadguy]

If there's no wi-fi issue then why does tech support say that a fix is coming! Funny that the last 3 I have purchased have all had the same problem but the one I purchased for my bro in law don't have the problem on the same networks. Some people are such bad fanboys that apple could do no wrong and as long as theirs works fine then that means they must all just work! It's no surprise to me that people call apple the Toyota of the computer world.

 

[GaresTaylan]

Did it ever occur to you that actual app developers might visit these forums, and therefore would know how easy it is to update simple features in an app? Apparently not. Just like all the apologists you're always convinced Apple is doing the right thing.

You eat up whatever Apple tells you and never stop to think they're always going to spin things to make themselves look justified in whatever they do.

Also your suggestion that I continue to religiously buy their products is incorrect. If you had read the thread before replying you'd already know this. Until this iPad wifi crap I'd never had a problem with one of their products. However, I recently cancelled my iPhone 4 pre-order when I saw the pathetic way they began handling the various problems it launched with. I'm not about to get burned again buying one of their products only to have them ignore or pretend problems don't exist.



I don't debate people on their opinions. Unfortunately there are a lot of uninformed posters or people who simply wish to defend Apple regardless of the facts and I call it like I see it. I don't enjoy having my time wasted and conversations muddied up with people suggesting things that have nothing to do with the iPad's wifi problems.

Your suggestion that I just stop buying Apple products is rather silly in the context of this discussion. I've already bought their product. They've admitted the wifi has a problem! I'm just waiting for them to fix the problems.

Your suggestion that somehow I should just walk away now, and "don't buy another car from them", is the exact kind of smug reply I find irritating. Instead of either (a) not replying to this thread, or (b) acknowledging Apple should do right by there customers, you stop by to tell me what I should do differently. That is the work of an apologist.



Again, you assume Apple is always doing the right thing. You assume they're taking a long time to fix this because they're just wanting to do the best they can. Did it ever occur to you that they might be able to do things right and do it quicker than 3 months time?

Regarding returning the iPad. I'm not going to do that because I dont believe that is going to fix my wifi problem. Why do I think that? Because Apple has already said they're going to fix the wifi problems with a firmware update, which is the exact reason I created this thread. To ask why it's taking them so long.

You make me giggle.

 

[al256]

I have to agree with the OP. All this time and not one update for the iPad? My maps app always seems to need a calibration for the compass. VoiceOver isn't the easiest to use with iBooks.* If anyone can figure out how to turn one page at time with VoiceOver on, let me know. The Photos app seems to take quite a while to load pictures from my camera. I'm sure other users are affected in other ways. Maybe 4.0 will mark the point where we can expect some sort of regular updates.



*Before everyone tries to use this as a point against my post, my father was blind. I always think about how my father could've used this technology. Heck, the only iPod he could've practically used was the original shuffle but even then his music couldn't have been organized much less fully stored on that limited device.

 

[ks-man]

There definitely is A problem, the question is just how big of a problem it is (or more accurately how widespread it is). My wifi exhibits a problem as well (I posted some of it earlier in the thread) and at times it is worse than others. The past few days I now can't even connect to my B/G router at all. I can connect to my other two but the range is pretty bad. At other times everything works very well.

I find it to be annoying, but hardly crippling. I also am not very confident that if I get a new one that it won't exhibit the same thing (too many other people have tried that to no avail). My guess is that it is a combination of the iPad and router which is why some people experience it and some don't.

The iPad comes with a 1 year warranty and Apple has said there will be a fix to it. I'm willing to give it some more time. At times Apple is slow with releasing a fix but they usually do come through. I have seen this many times with their hardware. We put up with it, not simply b/c we are fanboys, but their products are just much better than the competition. Even with some of these flaws.

 

[Consultant]

Write: apple.com/feedback

I am guessing the new firmware will crank up the wifi power consumption.