Apple blames iPhone 4 reception woes on software error

so this is good news

apple have therefore been BS'ing all this time about how good the reception is on their phones. pretending that the phone has a full signal when it should really be displaying 2 bars is pretty dishonest. oh but of course it was just an oversight or programming error!

By sihaz2 on 2 Jul 2010

Will they do anything to prevent a hardware recall?

By TimoGunt on 2 Jul 2010

Whether this is the true explanation for the signal issue or not it is somewhat surprising that Apple shows so little embarrassment over the 'software error' - an error which (to persist so long) reflects either incompetence or dishonesty.

By longn on 2 Jul 2010

hold on a minute...

That headline is misleading. Apple aren't promising to improve the reception on their phones. they're promising to show the user more accurately how crap the reception is on their phones. That is not a performance imporvement. If anything it makes me suspect they were embarrassed about how bad iPhones are and were at getting and holding a signal and (deliberately?) allowed a 'flaw' in the software to conceal it...

By Noghar on 2 Jul 2010

The whole thing stinks. It's almost as if they're deliberately downgrading the reception to avoid the real issue - that there is a design flaw in the product.

I'm now deeply suspicious that the signal strength is being hobbled deliberately.

It's a panic reaction to a problem management probably tried to ignore and the grunts flagged, but would have delayed product launch.


A shame. I was going to look at getting one. No chance now. Be honest, give away a free rubber band case or recall the thing.

By bubbles16 on 2 Jul 2010

Don't Understand

I think the previous responders read a different article to me. Apple has acknowledged a problem only a week after launch, has promised a fix and has offered a refund to anyone who is still not satisfied. This is not an ideal solution, but I struggle to see what else could have been done. Regarding their initial comments while they investigate, again not ideal, but if they had said nothing they also would have been criticised. Seems to a me that this is a storm in a teacup and given that they have offered a refund I don't see a problem.

By Dannyt on 2 Jul 2010

Don't Understand

I think the previous responders read a different article to me. Apple has acknowledged a problem only a week after launch, has promised a fix and has offered a refund to anyone who is still not satisfied. This is not an ideal solution, but I struggle to see what else could have been done. Regarding their initial comments while they investigate, again not ideal, but if they had said nothing they also would have been criticised. Seems to a me that this is a storm in a teacup and given that they have offered a refund I don't see a problem.

By Dannyt on 2 Jul 2010

Misdirection and misinformation

Reports that iPhone 4 reception is better than 3GS is probably limited to low signal areas, and thus that statement is a total misdirection ignoring the actual issue - that holding the phone lowers the reception. All mobiles suffer that problem to some extent, but iPhone 4 is worst than most when used without a case.

Furthermore, as Noghar pointed out, pointing towards a software fault for this is blatent misinformation.

AnandTech has comprehensive and excellent coverage on this in their thorough iPhone 4 review.

By robpain on 2 Jul 2010

A detailed explanation of the problem. Its a scaling/resolution problem of the reception display

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-re
view/2

By isaac12345 on 2 Jul 2010

Am I stupid?

Don't answer that.
But, how the hell can it be a software problem, if putting a case on it solves the problem?
That squarely points to a hardware fault. Or does the software have a 'I'm in a case, change the algorithm' flag?

By Steve_Adey on 2 Jul 2010

Absurd secrecy Vs Adequate Testing

And the winner was...

Absurd secrecy! Please collect your reward with your right hand, as holding it in your left results in a software error which may be fixed by purchasing a case...

By cheysuli on 2 Jul 2010

OK, but...

Whilst I can see that the software algorithm can misinform the user and exaggerate any signal drop, it doesn't explain why the calls get dropped when I put my hand in the wrong place!

By Neilski on 2 Jul 2010

Inept Iphone4

How inept has Apple been in this saga and how stupid must they think everyone is.

The software "fault" does not explain the constant lost calls when the bars are low. It will be interesting to see how many people report lost calls even though the signal is being "misreported" as good.

If the software is at fault, APple should be providing updates to correct the software.

Its a hardware fault.

Apple have been incompetent and inept in this.

Recalling all the handsets sold will be very embarrassing, but probably not as embarrassing in the long run and people doubting Apple's honesty.

By Manuel on 2 Jul 2010

what i find weird

is the bizarre tone Apple adopts in its choice of language when talking about all this - deeply condescending. It winds me right up.

By gavmeister on 2 Jul 2010

maths?

If Joe Users iPhone4 is displaying 4 bars when it should be displaying 2 bars as Apple is saying now. Does this not mean that when Joe User holds his iPhone4 in the "wrong" way it will now even quicker drop to zero (and effectively dropping to a virtual -2 bars). Or am I missing something?

By Sarcen on 2 Jul 2010

@Dannyt

You must have read a different article. Apple say that the software bug is in all iPhones not just the v4.
If that is true why has it not been an issue in the previous 3 versions? Why did it take them years to find, not a week?
Why does this rubber add on thing improve the reception?

It's a load of smoke and mirrors.

By jamesyld on 2 Jul 2010

your not holding it right

oh yeah sorry for not holding my £600 phone the way it was designed to be used

By jeffro on 3 Jul 2010

it it were a car

so let me get this strait....
my car is rated for 100 miles an hour, but it uses to much petrol,. so I take it to the mechanic and he blames the problem on a software glitch, when I get it back it uses a lot less petrol.......but it only does 30.....mmmmmmm

By sandman652001 on 3 Jul 2010

If it's just an incorrect signal reading

How come people were reporting complete signal LOSS?

By Lacrobat on 4 Jul 2010

OK Let's Get This Right?

OK So Apple are updating software to display a more realistic (weaker) signal strength. Surely, when the Iphone 4 is held in the same way it will have a much lower signal strength than before the update or is it just me missing the point? Hmmmm

By oceanic71 on 4 Jul 2010

OK Let's Get This Right?

OK So Apple are updating software to display a more realistic (weaker) signal strength. Surely, when the Iphone 4 is held in the same way it will have a much lower signal strength than before the update or is it just me missing the point? Hmmmm

By oceanic71 on 4 Jul 2010

I had an iPhone 3G with zero signal troubles.
I now have an iPhone 4 and signal troubles.
Apple need to stop bullshitting - there is obviously a fault somewhere, be it hardware or software, and it needs fixing. Telling me to buy a cover for my phone, or to hold it differently (I'm right handed) is just ridiculous.
Admit the fault, and fix it.

By robgt1927 on 5 Jul 2010

What to believe

I'm not sure which is the most likely true explanation:

1) Apple didn't discover the reception problems when testing the new iPhone 4 hardware design.

2) Apple hadn't discovered the software problem that had been there since 2007.

Apple don't always get it right, as shown by the (allegedly) overheating 3GS. However, there is so much hype surrounding Apple products it's hard to know what really going on.

By Stiggy on 5 Jul 2010