iPhone 3G Issues Persist Despite Latest Firmware

[manhattanboy]

alright, I have read most of the rumors about the iPhone 3G and seeing what everyone is complaining about, and here is what i have to say

1) It seems that everyone wants the iPhone to be this perfect device that will do anything for you(and in most aspects it can) but it is still an electronic device, just like anything else. So it has its bugs and quirks, apple will workout the issues and everything will be fine.

2) IT is a CELL phone, when has cell phone reception ever been that great. I had a blackjack II that had 3G and that barely worked when I needed it. I have noticed it can switch from edge to 3G, at times i believe the service isnt available and that is something that we have to deal with. The service coverage isnt going to be there all the time, we cannot expect 5 bars of 3G service all the time, just deal with it. You never complained about your old phone, so dont complain about this

3) As far as the 3rd party apps crashing, it is probably cause most of the apps that have crashed were developed by people that didnt know what they were doing in creating the code.

4) this is still a brand new product, when has there ever been a product that comes out that doesnt have bugs in the software.

5) This woman that wants Class Action Lawsuit has no shot of that ever occuring, what is the point of doing this. The only real winners is the lawyers that make the money from going to court. Instead of doing that, Let apple focus on fixing it and not have to worry about going to court.

Bottom line, this is still a great phone and will be great for many years to come. things will work themselves out

We GAVE Apple a chance to get off their lazy *sses and fix this problem with an update 2.02 but WE GOT NOTHING from this update.
I am tired of waiting. I have waited over a month now and still no resolution.
Good Lord someone help us find a solution to this problem

 

[iP2]

Some of us don't have 10 hours to waste waiting in the excessive long Apple lines.

10 hours in line to return an iPhone? Where the heck is that? If your iPhone sucks, return it. Even if it took 10 hours (drive time and wait time), you rather complain endlessly and suffer with a crappy product? If it really was an serious issue for someone, I'm surprised (actually shocked) one would not return it.

Like I said, if my 3G iPhone keeps dropping calls as many claim (legitimate or not), I would return it. I would then go back to my 3G Samsung and go on with life. Glad mine works

 

[iP2]

We GAVE Apple a chance to get off their lazy *sses and fix this problem with an update 2.02 but WE GOT NOTHING from this update.
I am tired of waiting. I have waited over a month now and still no resolution.
Good Lord someone help us find a solution to this problem

And yet as the 30 day return period came up, you chose to keep it. If you been waiting for a fix for 30 days and nothing came about, you should have returned it. And even if it was fixed 2 month later, you can go back and buy another one.

Man, why do many of you put up with the iPhone for over 30 days if its really that bad? Complain this, complain that...dude, return that crappy phone!!

What other product would you do that for w/o returning it? I love Apple too...but if I had half the issues that members here keep getting (especially restoring the phone 6 times a day...WTF?), it would go back in the box with the quickness.

 

[lawgraphix]

Where I work, 3G reception is five bars. As I'm driving home and going to the city, five bars. When I pull into my driveway, three bars. When I'm sitting at my computer, a half a bar. So, I'm suing Apple, instead of AT&T for not building out their 3G network fast enough. Why? Because some turkey wants to blame the handset.

Yea, that's a good point. Is it the iPhone or our network provider. I get 1-2 bars of 3G at work and it works ok [2.02]. At home i get 0-1 bars... and like last night I walked clear into the streets with no buildings, I couldn't make a call even on EDGE and it showed full bars. I suspect AT&T. Anyway, coming from Verizon, I was pretty frustrated. I still have my Verizon phone+plan.

 

[franzmueller]

mobile.me is resolved ? nope ... my push calender still doesn't work AT ALL

every 2nd time I go to my mobile.me web calender it tells me there is a problem .

I want my money back oh wait ... I´ve got a 90 day free non working calender subscription ... well made Apple

 

[8CoreWhore]

The excessive amount of anecdotal data proffered on MacRumors is killing me!

Mine is cracked, mine is not, I get great reception, I get bad reception, mine crashes, mine does not, I cannot connect to iTunes, I can connect to iTunes, my battery is good, my battery is bad.

I'm going to EXPLODE

I'm not going to explode.

 

[wizical]

We GAVE Apple a chance to get off their lazy *sses and fix this problem with an update 2.02 but WE GOT NOTHING from this update.
I am tired of waiting. I have waited over a month now and still no resolution.
Good Lord someone help us find a solution to this problem

sometimes fixes take longer than a month to fix something, it took adobe 15 months(give or take) to convert the whole line of CS3 to universal. If you have problems with it, return it. I personally dont have any problems with mine. I believe that it is affecting 2 percent of the phones

I have to agree with the fact that maybe that ATT could not handle the influx of iPhones on their network and it is what is causing a big chunk of their problems. I also heard that they are still putting up 3G towers, maybe that is a big chunk of problems for the iphone

 

[jldreyer]

Issues

I too am having issues with the 3G network. So I am forced to keep my phone on Edge network, even after updating to the 2.0.2 software, I still have no service on the 3G network. I have yet to replace my phone, as I do not mind keeping my phone on the Edge side of things, but this is really quite annoying as I bought the phone for the 3G network. It just really is upsetting that living in an area that according to the AT&T coverage map should be fully 3G, there is no 3G service. Apple and AT&T better fix this soon.

 

[aristotle]

Vandozza, you obviously are ignoring all of the Canadian and UK people on here that even bothered to report that they do not have problems.

I notice variations in speed depending on the time of day which I attribute to the usage of the network during those times. At first, I also thought that 2.0.2 was slowing down my data but I was able to get 2.24Mbps last night around 11pm here on the west coast of Canada in my house.

I'm sorry to hear that a few aussies and danes are having problems in rural areas or in areas with a lot of interference from other RF signals but the majority of people having issues are on the AT&T network.

The reason you do not see more people posting positive results is because they have no reason to and the vast majority of iPhone users out there that have no problems would not frequent boards like these in the first place.

I my case, all of the intermittent issues that I've had since launch (besides app crashes) I would attribute to network saturation or meteorological phenomenon.

I would say that 2.0.2 is much more stable and I have yet to have an app crash be it third-party or built in. I also noticed that GPS lock in happens within seconds now most of the time and accuracy has improved.

 

[GotPro]

2.0.2 is HORRIBLE for me.

3G is MUCH worse... now it's like I can't even use it most of the time...

AND... now I can only check my email ONCE... I have 4 accounts... and after the initial check (or two or three)... I have to REBOOT THE PHONE in order to get any more mail... it just goes into a "connecting" status for HOURS draining the battery.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Oh, and 2.0.2 HAS seemed to help apps crashing... I only have had 2 or 3 apps crash on my since the update... I used to have multiple crashes every day until a reboot.

Of course, I have 5 screens of apps...

And the stupid 2 hour backup just to sync a freakin' photo is ********!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[137489]

Maybe its not Apple ,but AT&T - maybe both.....

I will admit, I do not follow all the iphone news, as I do not have one. And I am locked into sprint. But I found someting a little interesting:

Verizon started 3G technology in 2002. I wonder if the problem is not apple, but just a problem with the AT&T network (or maybe both combined).

https://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsMobile/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3639822&SiteID=65

If you are too lazy to go to the link, here is the text:

Posted July 20, 2008
Hi all,

I hope somebody can really help me with this. I have a Asus P750 unlock phone which is a taiwan version. Basically, everything is fine except I can only connect to EDGE but not 3G. I am currently using a AT&T network. The connection setting wizard do not have anything for North America. So I manually setup the GPRS internet connection. Everywhere i go, i can only detect a EDGE network. And when i set the phone to connect to 3G network ONLY. it just appear like the network is dead. But all my friends can connect to 3G when they are next to me.

Please help! and thanks in advance.

========================================
Another post:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-349237.html

===============================================
New Zealand's vodafone had issues in 2005 with their first launch of 3G

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NZB/is_9_7/ai_n15753793

=======================================================

2007 - Russia and South Korea 3g network problems

http://www.3gnewsroom.com/3g_news/2007/oct/news_7750.shtml

the above is just 5 minutes of Googling. I think we see a pattern of any company launching 3g runs into problems. With the possible chip problem in the iphone and the iphone market being so huge an new, I think most the hype is focused on Apple. From reading the above, I think there may have had a small run (small is a vauge number depending how many were put out in that run) of bad iphones coupled with AT&T's 3g launch pains.

I don't want to start any more ranting or 100's rebuttle posts, but just something for you all to think about. if it is any consolation my sprint Palm Centro never drops a call, but sometimes data transmission is slow. Not sure what network Sprint is on off hand.

 

[twoodcc]

well, maybe i am a lucky one who doesn't have all these issues. sure, my phone messes up sometimes, but not to the point where i have to restore or anything

 

[savanahrose]

3G reception works fine for me. I think the people filing that lawsuit need to actually take a look at the coverage maps before they walk into court. I'm sure AT&T will be quick to show up with coverage maps and plenty of amo. Look at all the fine print on the brochures and contracts. Pages and pages of fine print. AT&T definitely knows what they are doing when it comes to legal issues.

I believe you might be able to do it by address too. I just tried it and according to the map, I don't get 3G but ATT store says that I do. So I guess it isn't updated yet.

 

[137489]

Here's your problem

I was doing a search on RF blocking 3g and came across this. With all the complaints about cell phones in doctor's buildings, people driving on cell phones, and churches that have implemented this technology due to cellphones going off during services. I wonder.. I just wonder, with all the complaints being focused around large cities.

I just wonder, Has companies started getting their hands on these???

http://www.ymcorp.co.kr/cellularphone-jammer.htm

*** Cellular phone Jammer (Mobile phone immobilizer, Disabler) ***
(Block : all kinds of cellular phone -NEXTEL, CDMA/AMPS/TDMA/NMTP, Etacs, GSM900
GSM1800/DCS, DECT, PHS, W-CDMA, PCS/TACS, 3G (UMTS,CDMA2000), GPS, WIFI (1.2/2.4Ghz)---(No more suffering!!! )

- Handheld (Portable) Size and Aluminium Case
Portable Size with Aluminium Case and using only car battery for power


there is even an outdoor antenna type that will block up to one kilometer (or 1/2 mile)

Block band : Nextel/800/900/1800/1900/3G (UMTS, CDMA2000)
Block range per each band : angle 120, directional Yagi block area : 300m~ 1KM -cellphone signal is under -70db in place )
option : angle 360, omni directional antenna , within radius 150m-500m or more-cellphone signal is under -70db in place )


This would be one heck of a college prank. also the Israeli government sells cellphone jammers.

 

[137489]

I was doing a search on RF blocking 3g and came across this. With all the complaints about cell phones in doctor's buildings, people driving on cell phones, and churches that have implemented this technology due to cellphones going off during services. I wonder.. I just wonder, with all the complaints being focused around large cities.

I just wonder, Has companies started getting their hands on these???

http://www.ymcorp.co.kr/cellularphone-jammer.htm

*** Cellular phone Jammer (Mobile phone immobilizer, Disabler) ***
(Block : all kinds of cellular phone -NEXTEL, CDMA/AMPS/TDMA/NMTP, Etacs, GSM900
GSM1800/DCS, DECT, PHS, W-CDMA, PCS/TACS, 3G (UMTS,CDMA2000), GPS, WIFI (1.2/2.4Ghz)---(No more suffering!!! )

- Handheld (Portable) Size and Aluminium Case
Portable Size with Aluminium Case and using only car battery for power


there is even an outdoor antenna type that will block up to one kilometer (or 1/2 mile)

Block band : Nextel/800/900/1800/1900/3G (UMTS, CDMA2000)
Block range per each band : angle 120, directional Yagi block area : 300m~ 1KM -cellphone signal is under -70db in place )
option : angle 360, omni directional antenna , within radius 150m-500m or more-cellphone signal is under -70db in place )


This would be one heck of a college prank. also the Israeli government sells cellphone jammers.

Ok, maybe I made a lighthearted joke with this last post. However with all the terrorism threats and security and the concern of using Cell phones as detonators. I some how would not be surprised if this technology was being implemented. With the world heading the way it is, I would not be surprised at all if governments (US, City, State, Local) started looking at this to boost its security.

Why is it large cities and not all parts are effected? Just something more to think about.


Ok, time for me to get back to work.....

 

[APJessicaMintz]

Loyalty

Folks,

I'm a reporter at the AP. I've just started writing about Apple, and I'm hoping some of you might be interested in chatting with me offline -- on the record, off the record, whatever -- about your thoughts on whether the recent iPhone missteps have changed how you feel about Apple. Still loyal? Dismayed the company is human? Think people (including pesky reporters) are blowing things out of proportion?

Get in touch any time.

Cheers,
Jessica Mintz
jmintz at ap dot org

 

[FLAVAH]

i only turn my 3g on when i need to use the internet for a substantial amount of time... other than that its edge for me, and its still great!

 

[aristotle]

2.0.2 is HORRIBLE for me.

3G is MUCH worse... now it's like I can't even use it most of the time...

AND... now I can only check my email ONCE... I have 4 accounts... and after the initial check (or two or three)... I have to REBOOT THE PHONE in order to get any more mail... it just goes into a "connecting" status for HOURS draining the battery.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Oh, and 2.0.2 HAS seemed to help apps crashing... I only have had 2 or 3 apps crash on my since the update... I used to have multiple crashes every day until a reboot.

Of course, I have 5 screens of apps...

And the stupid 2 hour backup just to sync a freakin' photo is ********!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Calm down. Have you tried to do a restore? I've heard that other people ended up with a much shorter backup cycle after doing that.

 

[applextrent]

The Problem With 3G Networks (And, The iPhone 3G?)

I'm having issues with reception as well, and it got worse when I "upgraded" to 2.0.2. Looks like Apple is having issues optimizing their 3G profiles. 3G networks of course have their faults as well though:http://trentlapinski.com/?p=179.

 

[dreadloquito]

Curiouser and curiouser

I have had mixed results with 2.0.2—
The whole interface does seem to be subjectively faster.
I've had fewer issues with 3rd party App crashes–
BUT Apple's Mail app has now crashed a few times for me, which never happened before.
I've been getting faster 3g connections–
BUT the signal seems to be far more erratic and intermittent in places where it was previously quite stable.
Back up finally works at a tolerable pace— about 1 time in 5. The other 4 it's in the area of hours to finish.
Also I've been seeing what seem to be new quirks with wifi connectivity, which has at times become highly erratic.

 

[vilasgn]

Stop Whining!

All these stupid news about any small issue from Apple products is overblown by the moronic media and not-so-smart users. One thing I don't understand is, how come all these kind of issues (?) never reported about any other phone? Why Apple is the only company has a hangin sword on its head?

Just because you people got the platform (so many forums) to whine and somebody is reading, that does not mean people should start jumping and bringing any minor Apple product issue and start whining. This is more publicity stunt than anyting else.

I accept there are issues but come on guys. Give Apple some break!

Now everyone will say, 3G reception is a big issue. Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with iPhone 3G reception. What you are getting is what it is. I have been using iPhone for the past 1 month and I don't have any problem with 3G.

Let me ask you this. How many of you really bothered or gave that much importance to "3G" before iPhone 3G came out. I am sure you people accepted your 3G reception quality as it was on your earlier 3G phones. It's about the network or the location at that point or any other signal obstructing electronic/metallic items nearby.

Seriously, I am all convinced that all this media coverage to all "Apple Issues" is some serious plot from all the competitors who cannot see Apple's success. There are many forces behind this and they don't want apple to succeed but trust me Apple is going to keep on kicking their a**.

Talk about cracked iPhones, dead pixels, guy with overheating iPhone (that burned his a**)...what is going on? I mean do these blog sites have to report anything crap that come out? Most of the things are so fake. Tomorrow I will hit a hammer on my iPhone and tell everybody that I just dropped my phone and it completely disintegrated.

Since iPhone is largely a consumer product and many of the consumers don't even know ABCD of the technology, they start complaining about the iPhone (my iPhone does not cut vegetables, does not do laundry etc. you know what I mean) and those complains are published by these moronic blog sites and idiotic media.

Summary is, try to relax and calm down. iPhone is one of the best gadget I have seen in my entire life. I know it will have issues similar to any technology. Give it its time and stop whining!

 

[jmaxima]

What I want to see is a software update that allows us to choose a minimum 3G reception level, where if not met, would switch back to Edge. If I could require 2 bars for 3G, I wouldn't have to constantly switch back and forth 3 menu levels deep just to get reception all the time.

 

[digiguy23]

I don't get it. Unless Apple faked the demonstration and used another 3G chipset during his iPhone Keynote, then I don't understand why there should be an issue with the iPhone itself. We all saw how much faster it was. It's seems logical with all the iPhones now being used, AT&T is the problem. You can't demonstrate a product with the same specs and have it working perfectly, sell it and have them failing. Then somewhere else is the problem

 

[bradl]

Obligatory Weird Al quote

Since he was just here on Monday (California State Fair)...

Lol only the Americans would sue - we Brits would just moan about it but take no action

From "I'll Sue Ya" off of Straight Outta Lynwood:

I sued Dell computers, because used my laptop in the bath, now it doesn't work!
I sued Fruit of the Loom, because when I put those tighty whiteys on my head, I look like a jerk!
I sued Verizon, because I get all depressed when my cell phone goes into roaming!
I sued Colorado, because you know, it looks a little too much like Wyoming!
I sued Neiman Marcus, because they put up their Christmas lights all out of season!
I sued Ben Affleck.......... aww, do I even need a reason?!?

When I sprain my ankle, while I'm robbin' your place... When I break my knuckles, when I punch you in the face,

I'm gonna sue!!

BL.

 

[dreadloquito]

You're missing the point

All these stupid news about any small issue from Apple products is overblown by the moronic media and not-so-smart users. One thing I don't understand is, how come all these kind of issues (?) never reported about any other phone? Why Apple is the only company has a hangin sword on its head?

These kind of issues don't get much play in other products because they're par for the course. Apple has the blessing and the curse of having a much better track record than competitors on customer service and reliability. This makes the current set of missteps notable in that they fail to meet Apple's standards. It's not that other products don't have plenty of issues, but that Apple has set a higher standard for itself and by its own admission (at least regarding MobileMe) has failed to live up to this standard in some of it's recent releases. I'm confident the issues will get worked out in time, and I think apple will work hard in the future not only to prevent similar issues, but to raise their bar for quality and support even higher. But the longer it takes to work out the kinks, the more of a hit their stellar customer service reputation may take.