Apple releases iOS 4.0.1 for iPhone, 3.2.1 for iPad
Apple on Thursday issued iOS 4.0.1 for the iPhone, improving the accuracy of the handset's signal display strength. It also released iOS 3.2.1 for the iPad to improve Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
Issued Thursday afternoon, Apple said that iOS 4.0.1 includes just one fix, improving "the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display." It is available for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G.
The iPhone release came a day after Apple released a beta of a different update, iOS 4.1, to developers. That forthcoming update is expected to include a number of fixes that go beyond the reporting of signal strength on the iPhone.
The cosmetic software fix, however, does not address antenna issues that some users have experienced specifically with the iPhone 4 hardware. Apple is expected to reveal its reaction to that issue at a press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday.
There was no indication that iOS 4.0.1 will address the proximity sensor issue that has affected some iPhone 4 owners. The problem can cause the phone's touchscreen to become active while on a call, causing users to accidentally place a call on hold, end the call, or choose another option on the display.
iOS 3.2.1 for the iPad, according to Apple, includes a number of fixes:
Improved Wi-Fi connectivity
Fixed an issue that could prevent copy and paste of single-page PDF attachments in Mail
Addressed an issue that could cause video playback to freeze
Improved reliability of video-out when using iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
Added Bing as an option for Safari's search field
While Apple quickly issued an update, as promised, for the iPhone 4 bar issue, the iPad update took more time. Apple had originally revealed that a fix for Wi-Fi issues was forthcoming in May.
A number of users have reported dropped signals and connectivity issues with the iPad when connected to a Wi-Fi wireless network. The IT department at Princeton University said the issue occurred because the iPad would continue to use a network-assigned IP address after it had expired.
Issued Thursday afternoon, Apple said that iOS 4.0.1 includes just one fix, improving "the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display." It is available for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G.
The iPhone release came a day after Apple released a beta of a different update, iOS 4.1, to developers. That forthcoming update is expected to include a number of fixes that go beyond the reporting of signal strength on the iPhone.
The cosmetic software fix, however, does not address antenna issues that some users have experienced specifically with the iPhone 4 hardware. Apple is expected to reveal its reaction to that issue at a press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday.
There was no indication that iOS 4.0.1 will address the proximity sensor issue that has affected some iPhone 4 owners. The problem can cause the phone's touchscreen to become active while on a call, causing users to accidentally place a call on hold, end the call, or choose another option on the display.
iOS 3.2.1 for the iPad, according to Apple, includes a number of fixes:
Improved Wi-Fi connectivity
Fixed an issue that could prevent copy and paste of single-page PDF attachments in Mail
Addressed an issue that could cause video playback to freeze
Improved reliability of video-out when using iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
Added Bing as an option for Safari's search field
While Apple quickly issued an update, as promised, for the iPhone 4 bar issue, the iPad update took more time. Apple had originally revealed that a fix for Wi-Fi issues was forthcoming in May.
A number of users have reported dropped signals and connectivity issues with the iPad when connected to a Wi-Fi wireless network. The IT department at Princeton University said the issue occurred because the iPad would continue to use a network-assigned IP address after it had expired.
Comments
WRONG!!!!! The update DOES NOT say it fixes the antenna issue.
Would be nice if they (meaning Jobs or whoever will lead the press conference) were to say tomorrow something along the lines of - yes there is a manufacturing problem affecting these serial numbers (insert start number) through (insert end number) and a fix is available or perhaps - yes it turns out the conductivity of the exterior material was not as designed (making it a manufacturing process fault not a design fault ya see) and that production line has been updated with new parts and a fix is available - or as a work around for anyone not wanting to part with their phone long enough to get it repaired - here is a bumper case for $5.
It's interesting that iTunes reported my iPhone 4's OS was being updated and THEN clearly said the firmware was being updated. The bars would just be a software fix, I imagine; so why the firmware update? Hmm.
The "software" system for the iOS devices IS considered firmware (at least I think it is).
It's interesting that iTunes reported my iPhone 4's OS was being updated and THEN clearly said the firmware was being updated. The bars would just be a software fix, I imagine; so why the firmware update? Hmm.
The firmware is the OS and the OS is the firmware. Same thing, different words.
Issued Thursday afternoon, Apple said that iOS 4.0.1 includes just one fix, improving "the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display."
gotta love efficiency. one fix. 579.3MB download.
No mention of the proximity sensor? Morons. That's a bigger issue for a lot of people than the antenna.
yeah, it is for me. was talking to a friend this morning, phone to the ear, and the call hung up. for once i suspect it wasn't an at&t dropped call. called them back and about ten seconds after putting the phone up to my ear my peripheral vision caught a flash of light from the phone. looked at the phone to see that it had launched google maps with some address from my contacts, and i haven't used that contact in over a year. guess my fat cheek and the proximity sensor don't mix.
I wanna see a screenshot of 5 bars after 4.0.1.
I think the new bar design looks really bad. I wish they would've kept the old design and only changed the values of each bar.
It's interesting that iTunes reported my iPhone 4's OS was being updated and THEN clearly said the firmware was being updated. The bars would just be a software fix, I imagine; so why the firmware update? Hmm.
Duh, firmware/software are both programs. The firmware is stored in a different way (and place) than the rest of the software on the device and typically is non-volatile. In a device that keeps the software (applications) in SRAM it can be confusing since they both persist across launches. Firmware is typically much lower level stuff than your avg application and has access to things that as developers we don't (are not supposed to anyway) access.
IHTH.
Thanks!
No mention of the proximity sensor? Morons. That's a bigger issue for a lot of people than the antenna.
I agree. I tend to be relaxed and positive about most things, but the fact that I can't hold the phone to my ear and make a call without always wondering if I muted is nuts. I end up making the issue worse continuously having to check.
I will be a the apple store on Monday for a return if this is not resolved, will revert to 3GS for a few months.
gotta love efficiency. one fix. 579.3MB download.
yeah, it is for me. was talking to a friend this morning, phone to the ear, and the call hung up. for once i suspect it wasn't an at&t dropped call. called them back and about ten seconds after putting the phone up to my ear my peripheral vision caught a flash of light from the phone. looked at the phone to see that it had launched google maps with some address from my contacts, and i haven't used that contact in over a year. guess my fat cheek and the proximity sensor don't mix.
Maybe just hold your face differently. All these years and we have all been holding our face wrong.
gotta love efficiency. one fix. 579.3MB download.
Weird. My download is only 378.0MB. I've got a 3GS rather than 4 though, but I'd be very surprised if it was a different OS download.
Tried the "Grip". Three bars went down to one but stayed connected. When released, went back up to three.
I have seen five bars on the phone before the update but I know I am in a low signal strength area and didn't believe the five bars.
Now, watching the iPhone 4, I get one bar with it on a wooden table.
The accuracy of the display has been improved.
9to5 mac says "The free update promises to fix the antenna "death-grip" issue which is supposedly related to a math formula malfunction regarding the the display of the iPhone's service signal bars."
WRONG!!!!! The update DOES NOT say it fixes the antenna issue.
Actually, you are wrong yourself.
We'll find out tomorrow if there is any new information but up until today, the only "problem" Apple has admitted to with the iPhone 4 is the signal bar issue, and the only "fix" in the pipe for it that they have mentioned is exactly this update.
So it's actually totally correct to say that this update "fixes" the only known, admitted issue with the iPhone 4 reception (at least as far as Apple is concerned and as far as they have told us).