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Apple's iOS 4.0.1 arrives, with changes to signal strength bars
Apple's iOS 4.0.1 has arrived -- along with 3.2.1 for iPads -- and the big buzz is about a change in the way "bars" of signal strength are displayed. iOS 4.0.1 "Improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display," but the 378MB update doesn't have any other specific info in the release notes.
Apart from changing how many bars to show, Apple has also messed with the size of the bars. Engadget did a comparison of the old and new versions, but one of the screenshots was from the Home Screen, and one was from an app, so it was a little tricky to see the difference. Here's what each meter looks like at full bars on my iPhone 3GS:
There's not much to say about iOS 4.0.1, feature-wise, but it's very interesting in terms of Apple's marketing and PR. Apple has called a press conference for tomorrow, presumably to do some damage control on this very signal issue, so the timing of the 4.0.1 update seems well-planned. Also, we've heard rumors of a silent recall from friends whose pending iPhone orders have been canceled, but we can't confirm it.
Apart from changing how many bars to show, Apple has also messed with the size of the bars. Engadget did a comparison of the old and new versions, but one of the screenshots was from the Home Screen, and one was from an app, so it was a little tricky to see the difference. Here's what each meter looks like at full bars on my iPhone 3GS:
There's not much to say about iOS 4.0.1, feature-wise, but it's very interesting in terms of Apple's marketing and PR. Apple has called a press conference for tomorrow, presumably to do some damage control on this very signal issue, so the timing of the 4.0.1 update seems well-planned. Also, we've heard rumors of a silent recall from friends whose pending iPhone orders have been canceled, but we can't confirm it.
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsDrakkenfyreJul 15th 2010 6:02PM
They increased the size of the two smallest bars so it looks like you have more signal when it's at the lowest. That's funny as hell.
"Fix the problem? Address the bad antenna issues? Hell no, let's just make the smallest bar bigger so when they are down to 1 bar, it looks like they have more signal."
kojo87Jul 16th 2010 4:11AM
i don't understand this either. 1 bar is still 1 bar. i don't care how tall it is. are there actually people who will feel better with theses taller bars?
DeoWulfJul 15th 2010 8:40PM
Well, what did you really expect. Swap out a few jpegs and tell everyone it's a 'fix'. It's much easier than publicly admitting you made a mistake.
If Apple does anything but "educate" consumers about how the iPhone 4 has no issues, then I will be surprised.
dmorris68Jul 15th 2010 11:04PM
From what I understand, it's more than just an updated bar image. AT&T informed them that they've been miscalculating signal strength since the first iPhone, and gave them a new algorithm to compute strength. This is the new "formula" they speak of. So while they haven't made a physical change (not sure how they could and still leave the band intact and exposed, completely redesigning the phone), it's supposed to be a more accurate display of signal strength. Of course now people will complain that "before I had 4 bars and now I have 2" when the 4 bar display was wrong to begin with, but you can't please everyone...
And FWIW, I can't make a call drop, and can't reliably even duplicate the deathgrip signal loss. Even when I can get bars to drop (after removing the phone from the case), the call quality doesn't suffer. I think for most this is a non-issue, with the mainstream media seizing on the very vocal complainers just because it's Apple. I can say unequivocally that the 4's signal quality and reception, both cell/3G and WiFi, is improved over the 3GS, which is what most reviewers are saying also. Of course that doesn't matter...
AaronH82Aug 15th 2010 12:50AM
I noticed the "death grip" almost immediately upon receiving the phone. It isn't a non-issue... you are just lucky. I'm still waiting for a fix for the proximity sensor, too... I can't use my shoulder to hold the phone EVER and I could live with that... but even when I am carefully holding the phone to prevent the "death grip", which still occurs regularly, despite me now being careful, I still end up putting people on hold, muting myself, or, if I'm lucky, just hitting speakerphone. This happens at least once a day, but usually several times a day, and I don't talk on the phone -that- much. Still, I agree about the media... ugh... can you imagine if they were only allowed to report actual news and only talk about a story once per week! lol... local news would last three and a half minutes!
enerGIJul 16th 2010 2:42AM
iLemon 4 :p
ScottJul 16th 2010 6:24AM
Has anybody not noticed that they were lying to you about signal strength in the first place. Every iphone before this has been showing better signal strength than it should have.
@dmorris68, yes when you become the biggest company you get picked on the worst. Just look at Microsoft and Vista. If Microsoft had of been a small player in the software world nobody would have cared about the issues with Vista.
lovejane55Jul 17th 2010 4:40AM
hmm, yeah, I have got the news from the "Live from Apple's iPhone 4 press conference". First, glad to hear this updating, and along with the iOS 3.2.1 for iPads, that great, I believe this will bring much more for enjoying!
BTW, to the congerence, I should say Better be good! I think they are single-hearted.
Dude. I'm 99% sure there will be no recalls or h/w fixes. Like some dude called it, they'll say
1) 99% phones are okay
2) 1% suffer from that issue, which still makes us the best and greatest
3) we're giving you free/discounted bumpers so worship us forever
While I love their products, of course I do hope Apple steps up on the iPhone 4 improving as soon.
The iPhone 4 tempting features, HD Video Recording and lovely pictures you're surprised:
http://ifunia.com/iphone-column/index.html
davidkellyyJul 17th 2010 8:22AM
I am not gonna buy it unless its signal problem is solved. http://hubpages.com/hub/Dermitage-Reviews
bornslippyJul 18th 2010 4:59PM
I have a 3Gs and think i will be keeping this for a while. Also i have used Apple for years and since they got in bed with Intel nothing seems the same they are not so exclusive ???