Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: apple, iphone, 3g | Themes: Smartphones
Chicago (IL) -The most recent iPhone firmware apparently fails to fix a series of 3G issues that have been annoying some users since the iPhone 3G was launched. Upset iPhone owners are now accusing Apple of deliberately changing how the iPhone reports its 3G signal strength in order to fool them into believing they are getting better reception. These ongoing issues and Apple’s optimistic advertising claims apparently were enough to prompt an Alabama woman to file a class action suit, accusing Apple over false advertising with iPhone 3G’s "twice as fast" tag line. We are not surprised and Apple shouldn’t be surprised either.
When Apple released its massive 249 MB iPhone firmware update (version 2.0.2) this Monday, it immediately became the subject of a huge controversy. Many hoped the new firmware would fix the phone’s 3G reception issues, such as dropped calls on the 3G network, weak 3G reception and connectivity and 3G speed declines. These expectations were also fueled by some analysts who claimed a software fix is likely to solve the iPhone’s 3G issues. Instead, initial user reports indicated that these expectations were out of place, as this big download had no impact on the 3G reception at all.
Angered users are now zeroing in at the Cupertino-based gadget maker who still refuses to divulge any specifics of the included bug fixes of the update. The firmware release notes do not provide any details beyond the note of "bug fixes". However, in a conversation with USA Today, spokeswoman Jennifer Bowcock said that "the iPhone 2.0.2 software update improves communication with 3G networks." In the meantime, Apple’s forum is flooded with messages from upset users who claim that the new firmware does not to fix the 3G issues.
Apparently, the "improved communication" turns out to be a software tweak in how the handset reports the 3G signal strength to a user. Many who installed the 2.0.2 firmware are now accusing Apple of deceiving tactics designed to conceal the existence of 3G issues. Users report that the affected handsets upgraded with the latest firmware still suffers from poor 3G reception in areas where other smartphones maintain 3G connectivity, despite a stronger 3G signal bar that is now shown in the user interface.
Industry watchers remain convinced that Apple will address the 3G issues with a more substantial 2.1 firmware update scheduled for an October release. However, there are engineers that believe that the 3G issues are caused by a hardware defect due to the substantial manufacturing ramp that reportedly is beyond actual capacity. If that indeed is the case, Apple will have to recall potentially tens of thousands of iPhone 3G units. What contradicts these claims is the fact that are in fact users who claim their 3G issues are now resolved.
In the meantime, slower-than-promised data download speeds may bring Apple a class action lawsuit. Jessica Smith from Birmingham, Alabama, accused Apple in a 10-page complaint that Apple falsely advertised the iPhone 3G speed. Smith claims that Apple breached its promises by using the "twice as fast" tag line in iPhone 3G advertising and commercials. She is now seeking damages for false advertising, asking a court to order Apple to fix or replace affected iPhone 3G units. She specifically claims that iPhone 3G maintains a 3G connection over less than 25% of the time, even in areas labeled as "excellent" in AT&T’s 3G coverage map. Smith asks users affected with 3G issues to join her suit, citing huge threads on various internet forums to pinpoint number of affected users to "tens of thousands."
Don’t say you are surprised. We are actually a bit surprised that it took so long for a suit to come along since Apple chimed its "twice as fast" promise. In fact, we are surprised that no one has sued Apple for the "half the price" claim.
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...reason number 6,000 you don't willingly become Apples guinea pig. Seriously.. at what point in time do the Apple fanatics that wait up all night for a product only to get screwed by its shoddy quality wake up? I will most assuredly upgrade my iPhone to a 3G iPhone... after Christmas.
As far as the lawsuit... Apple should have learned from the "millions of colors" lawsuit to NOT use that kind of wording in a commercial. Apple should probably rest easy because although they won't be able to technically prove it IS twice the speed at the same time it will be hard to prove it ISN'T twice the speed.
Hey Tom's! Two words of advice - PROOF READ!!!
I'm getting a little sick of your grammatically-challenged editors continually dropping words and writing garbage sentences. If you're in the business to publish written articles, at least do it right. But if you need somebody who knows proper English, you can hire me.
Also, I don't need a half-page hyperlink.
You know, it may seem stupid, but I feel as if people don't realize that some phones get better reception than others, or for whatever reason feel that Apple's device is required to be more perfect than other products in the industry. Just because the iPhone's reception happens to be worse than, say, a Samsung i617, doesn't form the basis for a class action suit. The same holds true for the phone holding a 3G connection only "25% of the time". I live in an area classified as having "excellent" 3G reception too, and I have the same issue. Funny thing is, I DON'T have an iPhone, and yet I don't see Samsung getting sued over something which is very clearly AT&T's fault.
I hate to sound like an Apple fanboy, because that's hardly the truth, but let's get real guys, this is a little dumb. I think a big part of the reaction we're beginning to see is due to the fact that most iPhone users are new to AT&T, and aren't familiar with the reception offered in their area, or the reliability of their 3G network. Just because they picked a sucky provider (and by that I mean the highest bidder), doesn't mean the poor cellular service is entirely their fault. Software issues? Sure, blame Apple, but for this type of nonsense? There are far more guilty parties at work here...
"Chicago (IL) -The most iPhone firmware..." Should have "recent" somewhere in there?
Also, bad markup is cutting off the sentence in your "flooded with messages" link.
Hey Tom's! Two words of advice - PROOF READ!!!I'm getting a little sick of your grammatically-challenged editors continually dropping words and writing garbage sentences. If you're in the business to publish written articles, at least do it right. But if you need somebody who knows proper English, you can hire me.Also, I don't need a half-page hyperlink.
I totally agree. I browse both DailyTech and this site for news and DailyTech never has as many issues. The hyperlinked part got annoying really fast.
for the love of god, hire an editor.
i think they are suing for deceiving them with a worthless upgrade. you can't really sue for a cheap product cause you willingly bought it but Apple just added insult to injury and now they are angry.
Who the hell is writing these articles?
The writing in THG is some of the worst, most malformed crap I've ever seen.
Hire some english speaking correspondents for christ's sake.
The overall quality of this site as a whole is terrible to begin with. It only makes it worse when the grammar is on par with a down-syndrome eleven year old's.
As stated above:
1. Proof-Read before approving, in the event that it is proof-read, fire proof-reader and get a better one.
2. Hyperlink text is the dumbest most degrading thing you can do to an article, take it out now or face the consequences of loosing your populace of readers.
And this:
3. Apple support = EPIC FAIL.
I don't know if it's Apple as much as AT&T. AT&T is complete garbage as far as service goes. I had Cingular for a few years and never had a problem. As soon as AT&T bought, merged, or what ever with Cingular; the service turned to complete crap. Now I'm with Verizon and will never go back.
I found it hard to focus on the content of this article when I had to constantly guess which word was missing from the sentences. I agree with the previous comment, PROOF READ. If Toms wants to put crap like this up then take off the damn advertisements because it doesn't deserve to make money.
3G is rather new in North America and so is the iphone. I own an iPhone and I love it, never had an issue with it. Granted it lacks a few features a "3G" phone should have, but seeing as it lacks on those its a rather well made phone. My friend also owns it and everyone we come across loves the phone for what it offers and can do. Neither me or my friend or Apple fan boys as some who read this may call me for loving this phone, i'll be one of last people to buy an Apple PC not because they suck, but because I love to build and tweak things my self. Every Rogers, Fido and AT&T have demo for the public to use, try them out. The iphone is great yes but its not for everyone and people should keep that in mind. Here is a link for a video from Apple that offers a wealth a info on the iPhone and key features just pick a video size an watch.
Seeing as the url link won't work, for this I apoligize for this and the need to copy and paste the url in the web page.http://www.apple.com/iphone/guidedtour/
I don't know if it's Apple as much as AT&T. AT&T is complete garbage as far as service goes. I had Cingular for a few years and never had a problem. As soon as AT&T bought, merged, or what ever with Cingular; the service turned to complete crap. Now I'm with Verizon and will never go back.
I didnt notice any difference when ATT took over Cingular. My signal around here in South Florida is very strong. While everyone else at work looses reception in our DC, my ATT 8525 can still connect to the 3G network and browse the internet. Speed tests show I get about 1mb throughput. I just wish the screen on my 8525 wasnt broken or that they even made it anymore. Now I have to choose between the Tilt and the iPhone and the Tilt is like a cheesy knockoff of the 8525 with a built in GPS and tilting screen.
Tuan here,
Sorry about the editing guys. I've updated the text.
Should be less of this going forward.
Again, my apologies.
/ Tuan