Apple releases iOS 4.1 - a magic fix for iPhone 4's problems?
Apple has this morning released iOS 4.1, a free software update that it promises will fix several problems plaguing iPhone 4 users.
NBR is currently installing the new OS; check in later in the day to see how that went (to get going now, plug your iPhone into your computer; start iTunes than click Check for Updates).
Meantime, read this super-comprehensive walkthough of iOS 4.1's features, based on the gold beta.
Multiple early NZ upgraders say 4.1 has indeed solved the slow-performance problem that iOS 4.0 had with the older iPhone 3.
(I found the downgrade very slow this morning, but it seems it was a problem with my home line; others report the 589MB update downloading in under 10 minutes).
Watch Apple's official video of its September 2 event - which covers new retail stores, iOS 4.1, and the new iPods and Apple TV - here.
"First of all, a lot of bugs have been fixed," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, previewing iOS 4.1 at a September 2 media event.
"Proximity sensor bugs, Bluetooth bugs, iPhone 3G performance bugs. All the bugs that we've been nailed on. We think we've nailed a lot of them."
iOS 4.1 also gives an iPhone 4 owner the ability to upload HD videos to YouTube (via wi-fi), a photo-quality enhancing technology called high dynamic range, TV show rentals (which will vary by country) and Game Center for locating other players and online gaming.
Ear of Death
The news was welcomed by NBR's technology editor, who has been driven so crazy by the proximity sensor problem that he'd been on the verge of downgrading to his iPhone 3GS.
The iPhone 4's duff proximity sensor often inadvertently reactivates the touchscreen keypad when the handset is at your ear, leading to cut-off conversations, and accidentally deleted voicemail, among other problems.
NBR's review iPhone 4 has also suffered the Bluetooth bug, being unable to sync with a Nokia wireless earpiece that behaved perfectly well with the iPhone 3GS.
And Twitter has been bombed with complaints from iPhone 3 owners who complain that iOS 4 has slowed them down. They'll be hoping iOS 4.1 does indeed address the performance issue, but many will believe it when they see it.
Grip of Death in the balance
Mr Jobs did not say whether or not the software upgrade would address the so-called Grip of Death reception issue.
Apple's offer of a free bumper case to prevent direct hand contact with the iPhone 4's external antenna (which can degrade calls) expires at the end of September - leading most to assume some kind of fix for the GoD is appear by then.
MORE:
NBR: Forget Grip of Death - duff sensor is iPhone 4's real hang-up
PCWORLD.COM: iOS 4.1 to Finally Fix iPhone 4 Proximity Sensor
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Comments and questions11
My iPhone 3G was great. My iPhone 4 is brilliant. None of the problems others have reported have occurred for me.
I think Apple is too naive to be taken seriously as a smartphone manufacturer. The iPhone bugs are few but are completely infuriating and affect core features of their devices so completely as to render them almost useless. If I could afford to, I'd have replaced my iPhone weeks, even months ago.
Creating software that doesn't handover from cellsite to cellsite (v2.0), voice recorder apps that won't playback vitally important information (v3.0) and slows the OS down, crashing apps, preventing any practical use of the virtual keyboard (v4.0); hardware faults like unreliable wifi and 3G reception, This is easily the least reliable and worst phone experience I've ever had. And yet in many other ways it's still far enough ahead of the competition to consider upgrading, in a years time to the iPhone 5 (never the iFail 4).
Proximity sensor bugs, Bluetooth bugs, iPhone 3G performance bugs are will be fixed, that is a good news for every iphone and ipod fans, but the ipad will be delaied to November! Yesterday is a excited day for ipod fans.especially the ipod touch, and don't forget download a Aneesoft free ipod video converter !
Proximity sensor bugs, Bluetooth bugs, iPhone 3G performance bugs are will be fixed, that is a good news for every iphone and ipod fans, but the ipad will be delaied to November! Yesterday is a excited day for ipod fans.especially the ipod touch, and don't forget download a Aneesoft free ipod video converter !
I've just upgraded from a 3GS to an iPhone 4 and found it to be quicker at opening and running apps, and with better reception in marginal areas. I haven't found a problem with the proximity sensor. The so-called "grip of death" is a problem, easily overcome by holding the phone slightly differently. A small price to pay for the overall better reception than the 3GS.
http://www.youtube.com/user/RyanThomasBell#p/u
proof
After carefully researching for the new and better Apple product, and one thing that still boggle my mind and if anyone could better explain and put my mind at ease, please reply, to Hoanggicc@gmail.com.
Q: i live in a country that Iphone had not being sold yet! and so the local sell phone shop are telling me that they carry new and better product, and it is indicated by the series number in the back of the iphone Boxs, it is indicated serial number representing a new and latest production date of the iphone, It is supposed to be update version that preventing from lost of signal like the model prior to that date. But what i had research and understand is that is an error of a design and no software update could prevented from happening. Please if anyone could reassure my knowledge about the matter of discussion, Thank you!
I've installed the 308MB iOS 4.1 for iPhone 3G download (and the 85MB iTunes 10 + Quicktime download also required) and now my phone is back to being the slowest phone I've ever used, as as opposed to being the slowest on earth under iOS 4.0
I'm feeling underwhelmed. Parts of my touchscreen still refuse to work, I'm now told I have 3 bars reception at home instead of 5, I still can't find the iBook Store and the book I was reading, and I still have intermittent connectivity issues so clearly I have some hardware faults to deal with too.
No more iPhones for me. Way too many problems with this one - it clearly cannot last the 2yrs required by the contract and future models can be expected to be worse.
You can't argue with success my friend.
Besides, owning an iPhone is like having an absolutely jaw dropping stunningly beautiful girlfriend. Sure, housework is not her forte but god damn she sure is sexy. Getting back with your ugly ex just isn't an option.
@Fedup
You're 100% correct and that's a great metaphor. :-)
... I did the update yesterday for my iPod - it went fine and downloaded in under 10 minutes.
I do note that this 'Game Center' Application has now arrived in the latest OS - what's with that?
I also see that you can now buy in the App Store, a Nike+GPS runners log application that uses the accelerometer and GPS chip in the iPhone. The previous Nike + was/is built into the current OS but needs the wireless shoe sensor.
I'm sticking with the sensor and the iPod Touch... although it would interesting to track my progress it is spooky that I'd be uploading my location and regular training loop to Nike+ website. Call me old fashioned but I'd rather be just another bloke out trying to keep fit.
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