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