Latest iPhone 3G firmware update didn’t work, causing even more problems
By Justin Montgomery
Apple’s latest firmware update, 2.0.1, seems to have caused more problems than it was worth. Users are reporting that even though dropped calls and slow data access seem to have been curbed for the time being, other problems are now arising that are worse than the ones the update was suppose to fix in the first place.
It was discovered after users reported a series of problems including abrupt network switches, poor reception, and service interruptions, that the new 3G iPhone might have a defective chip installed. That chip, the Infineon 3G chipset, is apparently the culprit- but was supposed to be fixed via a firmware update on Monday. Early reports are that, among other things, users are now seeing problems with GPS functionality, long-list scrolling, and even the risk of bricking the iPhone all together, according to Yahoo Tech.
The worst part is, users that never had a problem with the first-edition firmware are now seeing problems with the update. This almost makes the problem bigger for Apple, now that it can’t seem to fix the chipset problem with a simple software update. Maybe the chip is simply defective, or not made to run properly in the device or on AT&T’s network. Apple seems to be sidestepping the notion that it may need to recall the millions of iPhone 3Gs its already sold.
Richard Windsor, a financial analyst at Nomura Securities, wrote a research paper outlining the latest problems with the iPhone 3G, and pointed to a similar problem experienced in Europe over five years ago. Back then, the 3G chipsets proved to be the problem, causing similar problems to what iPhone users are reporting now. "We believe that these issues are typical of an immature chipset and radio protocol stack where we are almost certain that Infineon is the 3G supplier," Windsor wrote. "This is not surprising as the Infineon 3G chipset solution has never really been tested in the hands of users. Some people will not experience these problems, as it is only in areas where the radio signal weakens that the immaturity of the stack really shows."
Whatever the problem is, Apple needs to acknowledge it and get to work fixing it. During the initial launch, and especially during the latest 3G launch, Apple has garnered that "Apple-can-do-no-wrong" reputation. To keep it that way, Apple needs to step up to the plate, admit that they screwed up somewhere along the line, and do whatever it needs to remedy it. If it means a recall, they need to suck it up and get it over with, the millions of users deserve it.
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Stumble It!
September 26th, 2008
the worst thing at least on the original Iphone is it has killed the camera after the download. It will give you an out of space message every time. It’s a bug being seen all over the place. I spent over an hour with a support tech. Completely restored the phone to factory settings the works didn’t fix it.
I have six gigs of free space and it gives me a not enough room to take additional pictures. Please delete some existing photos. Even took all of them off.
Tech, from third party company of course said he hadn’t heard of it and said I would get a reply on got a survey. I haven’t seen any fixes on the horizon and I tried an update and it says I’m current really sucks.