When Will Apple Admit 3G iPhone Has Problems?Borked chip, manufacturing errors and poor programming... ( old news - 09:46AM Thursday Aug 14 2008) tags: business · wireless · hardwareEarlier this week, an analyst with Nomura Securities issued a research note claiming that the iPhone 3G connectivity and HSDPA issues being experienced by many users are likely thanks to faulty 3G chip by Infineon. According to Windsor, the chip problems likely aren't firmware upgradeable, meaning Apple would need to replace the chips. Now another researcher, citing tests of the 3G iPhone, claims that the device's problems began in the manufacturing stage. From the Assocated Press: Ny Teknik, Sweden's foremost engineering weekly, obtained a report on tests conducted by unnamed experts that showed some handsets' sensitivity to third-generation network signals is well below the level specified in the 3G standard. . .The report said the most likely cause of the 3G problems is defective adjustments between the antenna and an amplifier that captures very weak signals from the antenna. This could lead to poor 3G connectivity and slower data speeds. Still, an anonymous source at Apple tells Business Week that software may also still play a role, which could mean software updates could solve some problems after all: Part of the role of the Infineon chip is to check whether there's enough 3G bandwidth available in a given area. If 3G isn't available or there isn't enough bandwidth, the iPhone will be shifted to a slower network. One source says Apple programmed the Infineon chip to demand a more powerful 3G signal than the iPhone really requires. So if too many people try to make a call or go on the Internet in a given area, some of the devices will decide there's insufficient power and switch to the slower network—even if there is enough 3G bandwidth available. Neither Apple or AT&T are admitting that there's any problem. While Apple remains mute for request to comment, AT&T simply states that "overall, the new iPhone is performing just great on our 3G network." Many iPhone users don't agree.
Related:- AT&T Talks To Us About iPhone Hiccups, Extends Olive Branch
- FCC To Investigate Exclusive Handset Deals
- Group Takes Aim At Special Access Pricing
- Motorola Androids To Hit T-Mobile, Verizon
- Verizon: LTE iPhone 'Apple's Decision'
- New iPhone 3GS Costs $178.96 To Make
- AT&T Offers Free iPhone U-Verse DVR App
- iPhone 3GS Already Jailbroken
|
page: 1 · 2  |
 
Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC |  Nothing to see here ...
Looks like Apple goofed on this one. | |
|  | 
LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
 ·Comcast
1 edit | Re: Nothing to see here ... said by Matt  :The iPhone 1G was universally accepted as a great product, however, the 3G is displaying a ton of flaws and just about every review is saying the product isn't worth the upgrade.
Looks like Apple goofed on this one. Now you did it.  The Apple fan boys will soon show you the error of your ways. Apple doesn't make errors - somehow they will claim it is everyone's problem BUT Apples.
Unfortunately for them, even the press segments who fall all over themselves praising Apple have smelled a turkey with the iPhone 3G. Apple has their work cut out in fixing all the iPhone 3G problems.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? | |
| | | | | | | soccerguy
join:2004-06-28
Seattle, WA | Re: Nothing to see here ... Actually, yes you do. While I often disagree with him, he is entitled to his opinion and it does us all good to hear different points of view. Your comment is snarky and uncalled for. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | soccerguy
join:2004-06-28
Seattle, WA | Re: Nothing to see here ... LOL. Hardly. | |
| 
adisor19
join:2004-10-11 |  WOW
Adi | |
| | | | | forefun
join:2004-04-21
Austin, TX
| Re: WOW I second that. I have had two 3G phones. Samsung Sync and Samsung BlackJackI. Have had the SAME EXACT issues that are being described about the Iphone 3G. Standing there with 4 bars of 3G Signal, try to make a call and all of a sudden, no signal. Over the course of checking email, I regularly see 3G, E, G on my BlackjackI all in the same session. I see it everyday. I also asked one of my co-workers about his experience with a 3G Palm 700W and AT&T Tilt. Exact same experience. The problem is with AT&T, not the hardware. They do not have enough spectrum allocated to 3G. | |
| 
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
2 edits | Pure Speculation I'm not denying that some users are experiencing connectivity issues, but this article does nothing more than speculate on what the problem could be. For all we know, it could be fixed in a firmware update.
EDIT: I just ran a DSLReports iPhone 3G speedtest, 3 bars, and I get approximately 300 ms average ping time and 1100 Kbps downlink speed.
EDIT 2: Just ran it again, and I got 1247 kbps. 
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| | 
MarkyD
Premium
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| Re: Pure Speculation said by WALL_E :I'm not denying that some users are experiencing connectivity issues, but this article does nothing more than speculate on what the problem could be. For all we know, it could be fixed in a firmware update. EDIT: I just ran a DSLReports iPhone 3G speedtest, 3 bars, and I get approximately 300 ms average ping time and 1100 Kbps downlink speed. EDIT 2: Just ran it again, and I got 1247 kbps. your experience is extremely unique. I'm lucky to get 600kbps with a full 3g signal and line of sight to the tower. | |
| | |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA | Re: Pure Speculation In that case I can understand being a bit frustrated. | |
| | 
MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX
clubs:
1 edit | I got 6406 kbps on my Ocean with about 140 ms with 3 bars. | |
| itguy05
join:2005-06-17
Camp Hill, PA | Works fine here Speedy downloads, decent battery life, and an all around great experience....
ANALysts are seldom right.... | |
| |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
1 edit | Re: Works fine here said by itguy05 :Speedy downloads, decent battery life, and an all around great experience.... ANALysts are seldom right.... Same here. So far, all claims of an actual hardware defect come from analysts who offer little more than speculation. No one has actually done any testing or hardware tear-down to confirm their baseless remarks.
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The report said the most likely cause of the 3G problems is defective adjustments between the antenna and an amplifier that captures very weak signals from the antenna. This could lead to poor 3G connectivity and slower data speeds. (Yahoo! News)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
If these "defective adjustments" are not firmware-fixable, one would assume it is a physical hardware problem. If that's the case, should a tear-down prove whether this analyst's theory is correct? Furthermore, if this is NOT a physical problem, but rather a result of some software adjustment, would that not then be firmware fixable?
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| | | | | 
Pirate515
Premium
join:2001-01-22
Brooklyn, NY
|  Re: Works fine here
said by Nightfall :I have zero problems with my iPhone as well. However, I cannot deny that a lot of people are having problems. So who is right here? It's my hope that Apple does the right thing and really investigates the issue. I ran into a few issues with it, but not too bad to be kicking and screaming about. At and around my work AT&T 3G coverage is great, I have yet to see it switch back to EDGE or drop service. At my apartment, however, it's a different story; it keeps switching between 3G, EDGE and no data coverage at all. I am inclined to think that this is more of AT&T problem than Apple as one of my friends has a Motorola Q9 (also with AT&T), and last time he was over my place, his phone did the exact same thing; one moment he was on 3G and I was on EDGE and two seconds later it was the other way around. Unless Q9 uses the exact same chip as iPhone, which I don't think is the case, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Of course, if Apple does in fact decide to go ahead and replace the units, I won't have any second thoughts about swapping mine out.
--
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies...
A MESSAGE to the RIAA and the MPAA: You shouldn't wound what you can't kill... | |
| | | | 
Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
 ·AT&T Midwest
 ·Site5.com
·Comcast
| Re: Works fine here said by Pirate515 :said by Nightfall :I have zero problems with my iPhone as well. However, I cannot deny that a lot of people are having problems. So who is right here? It's my hope that Apple does the right thing and really investigates the issue. I ran into a few issues with it, but not too bad to be kicking and screaming about. At and around my work AT&T 3G coverage is great, I have yet to see it switch back to EDGE or drop service. At my apartment, however, it's a different story; it keeps switching between 3G, EDGE and no data coverage at all. I am inclined to think that this is more of AT&T problem than Apple as one of my friends has a Motorola Q9 (also with AT&T), and last time he was over my place, his phone did the exact same thing; one moment he was on 3G and I was on EDGE and two seconds later it was the other way around. Unless Q9 uses the exact same chip as iPhone, which I don't think is the case, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Of course, if Apple does in fact decide to go ahead and replace the units, I won't have any second thoughts about swapping mine out. I am far from a fanboy of Apple or the Iphone thats for sure. Its a new device for me and only a month old. This is my second ever apple product. That being said, it seems that if you have an iphone 3g you can choose one of the following....
1. No issues - everything is great
2. Minor issues - Keyboard lag and app store problems
3. Major issues - Loss of connectivity, loss of service
Seems that some analysts see a lot of issues while others see none. I don't think anyone can say its the phone OR the service without a shadow of a doubt. The only thing that is certain is that these problems exist and they need to be corrected.
With the iphone being a huge seller, these problems will be fixed soon. Right now I bet Apple and AT&T are working through these issues and will come up with a solution. | |
| | 
digiprod
| We have two iPhone 3Gs and have experienced lots of problems. 3G reception stinks, it switches constantly back and forth between EDGE and 3G, even in a good 3G area like North NJ or NYC when you are standing still! It leads to dropped and garbled calls and slow data speeds. Sometimes freezing iPhone.
I have had the iPhone crash so many times it is NOT funny. I went to the Apple store and got one of them replaced, I have tried syncing with different Macs (yes I am a long time Mac user) with no luck.
Apps quit constantly, once on does, none of the others will launch anymore. Restarts and hard resets do not help. Deleting and reinstalling the apps no not help. Only total restore with iTunes will get you working again, for maybe a day. Sometimes when an app quits it KILLS the iPhone and you are stuck with a white Apple logo and NO phone at all! I have restored one of our iPhone 3Gs over 30 times in less than a month!
iTunes is also a mess, it never knows when app updates are needed. It sometimes wants to download 7 or 8 copies of the same app. When it downloads an update it re-creates the app file instead of overwriting it or deleting the old file. A visit to the Mobile Application folder and you will probably see many many copies of the same app filling your hard drive with incremented numbers!
Backups take forever and are usually useless when restoring the iPhone as iTunes will tell you they are corrupted. Remember I have tried this with several Macs, including a fresh install of OS X and iTunes.
Even running the iPhone without ANY third party apps had Mail, Settings, Contacts and Safari quitting! The iPhone also lags and sometimes freezes. Longest I have had an iPhone work without crashing and needing a restore is 3 days.
I have yet another appointment with the Apple Store this afternoon and will ask for yet another replacement. I also called AT&T and I have until September 1st to return them for FULL refunds, which I will probably do if this does not get resolved with this visit.
MobileMe has also not been that great. It is NOT true push as originally advertised, it is unstable and Mail does not work sometimes. Biggest complaint I have is no support at all for subscribed calendars on the iPhone!
I think I have been more than patient giving the amount of problems I have had. But Apple staying silent is not helping. I posted this same description of my problems on the Apple iPhone Support forum and it was promptly taken down within ten minutes! I guess Apple does not like problems discussed.
So let the Apple fanboys jump all over me. But I will point out I am a long time Mac user and even make part of my livelihood supporting Macs. I am not an Apple basher, but I do not drink the "kool-aide" either. This has been my experience with the iPhone.
Sorry for the long post, I thought others would want to know the details. | |
| 
Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL | Microsoft.. If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different.
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.US | |
| | 
detfan
Premium
join:2002-12-29
Garden City, MI | Re: Microsoft.. Only problem I have with this phone is the laggy keyboard, but its random..Hope that gets fixed. | |
| | |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| Re: Microsoft.. said by detfan :Only problem I have with this phone is the laggy keyboard, but its random..Hope that gets fixed. That is VERY annoying. Hopefully Apple gets a firmware update out the door quickly to fix this issue. It makes text messaging very difficult. I've also experienced some lag in the contacts application.
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| | | |
detfan
Premium
join:2002-12-29
Garden City, MI
·WOW Internet and C..
| Re: Microsoft.. said by WALL_E :said by detfan :Only problem I have with this phone is the laggy keyboard, but its random..Hope that gets fixed. That is VERY annoying. Hopefully Apple gets a firmware update out the door quickly to fix this issue. It makes text messaging very difficult. I've also experienced some lag in the contacts application. Yea well this latest update was supposed to have solved that. It has not. | |
| | | | |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| Re: Microsoft.. said by detfan :said by WALL_E :said by detfan :Only problem I have with this phone is the laggy keyboard, but its random..Hope that gets fixed. That is VERY annoying. Hopefully Apple gets a firmware update out the door quickly to fix this issue. It makes text messaging very difficult. I've also experienced some lag in the contacts application. Yea well this latest update was supposed to have solved that. It has not. Yep. I also installed 2.0.1 and noticed little improvement at all - I'm not sure what that update accomplished.
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| said by Rob :If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different. I would argue that if it was a Microsoft product, the article probably would not have existed or the headline would be much less speculation-based. Apple products have problems (as do all products), but somehow front-page articles such as this, which merely repeat what was already said in an article a few days earlier, seem to get accepted simply because they're about Apple.
I'll be the first person to criticize Apple products for their flaws, but you have to question the motivation for popping repetitive articles about software/hardware glitches to the front page just because it's Apple.
The ONLY reason this article is here is to stir the pot and get people worked up - not the be informative or helpful.
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| | | 
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
1 edit | Re: Microsoft.. said by WALL_E :said by Rob :If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different. I would argue that if it was a Microsoft product, the article probably would not have existed or the headline would be much less speculation-based. The ONLY reason this article is here is to stir the pot and get people worked up - not the be informative or helpful. And after reading the first dozen or so posts, guess whose hand I see grasping at the spoon most often?
EDIT: grammar - whose for who's (I'm borked this AM)
-- | |
| | | |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
1 edit | Re: Microsoft.. said by Titus Pullo :said by WALL_E :said by Rob :If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different. I would argue that if it was a Microsoft product, the article probably would not have existed or the headline would be much less speculation-based. The ONLY reason this article is here is to stir the pot and get people worked up - not the be informative or helpful. And after reading the first dozen or so posts, guess who's hand I see grasping at the spoon most often? -- I don't think any of my posts have been inflammatory. I've tried to add to the conversation with each of my posts. I understand people will disagree with me, but that's fine. It's an open discussion.
I just think the way the headline is worded is a deliberate attempt to get people worked up so that the discussion degrades to inflammatory posts that don't contribute to discussion.
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| | | | |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Microsoft.. said by WALL_E :I don't think any of my posts have been inflammatory. I've tried to add to the conversation with each of my posts. I understand people will disagree with me, but that's fine. It's an open discussion. I just think the way the headline is worded is a deliberate attempt to get people worked up so that the discussion degrades to inflammatory posts that don't contribute to discussion. Keep your eyes on the road! Being as objective as I can ...
Me thinks you fail to recognize that this news item adds more/new sources to the previous story (the other day) on the phone posted here. Toss in the fact that ATM stories, iPhone most definitely included, hit the front page with regularity, and it's obvious iPhone stories bring readers and posters. Last I looked, readers and posters are an integral part of the site. Look at how many replies you've logged since this topic was posted!
No one is accusing anyone of being inflammatory, and nothing you write will preclude such posts from occurring no matter the topic - Flaming happens with any topic.
The Title is fine given that three sources are now cited along with growing Internet forum traffic (Apple's included) concerning problems with the new phone. Add all this to the fact that Apple is one of the more secretive companies in business - and with a market cap larger than Google - and you have a headline story waiting to happen.
Asking when or if Apple admits to a problem is a fair question. It took weeks of abysmal service for a good 10% of Me (.Mac) users before Apple admitted a problem; this stuff is their history. Often times Apple doesn't admit to problems and settles before class action down the road. Impression is 90% of their marketing. So when a worldwide gadget of massive hype has a potential problem ... that's newsworthy.
Sure some people would love to watch Apple get kicked in the teeth for various reasaon ... but that's nothing new, is it? Sit back and enjoy the show!
-- | |
| | | | | |
detfan
Premium
join:2002-12-29
Garden City, MI | Re: Microsoft.. Me thinks??? | |
| | | | | | |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26 | Re: Microsoft.. said by detfan :Me thinks??? Usually after me writes!
-- | |
| | | | | | | |
detfan
Premium
join:2002-12-29
Garden City, MI
·WOW Internet and C..
| Re: Microsoft.. said by Titus Pullo :said by detfan :Me thinks??? Usually after me writes! -- Interesting. | |
| | | | | | | | |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Microsoft.. said by detfan :said by Titus Pullo :said by detfan :Me thinks??? Usually after me writes! -- Interesting. Yep. I'm unanimous in this (me am?)
-- | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| Re: Microsoft.. said by Titus Pullo :Yep. I'm unanimous in this (me am?) -- Shouldn't your tag be "I came, I read, I wrote" | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Microsoft.. said by Rob :said by Titus Pullo :Yep. I'm unanimous in this (me am?) -- Shouldn't your tag be "I came, I read, I wrote" I 'sleep write'
-- | |
| | | | | |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA | Fair enough. | |
| | | | | | |
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| Re: Microsoft.. said by JSY :Are you kidding me? Security flaws with Microsoft products are always front page news, and have you all but forgotten the heat Microsoft received from Vista and the problems it reportedly had? I can't believe you actually believe what you just wrote. I think the wording of this headline is deliberately inflammatory, especially for an article based on pure speculation.
I was responding to the post that people are more apologetic to Apple than they are to Microsoft when problems arise. I think the fact that this "news" story, which was already covered a couple days ago and is STILL based on speculation, demonstrates that Apple does NOT get special treatment.
--
One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| | | | | rdmiller
join:2005-09-23
Richmond, VA | Re: Microsoft.. Karl generally tries to avoid tossing up Microsoft red meat unless it is absolutely 100% broadband-related. If it is a slow weekend however, KV isn't above throwing Microsoft burgers on the grill. | |
| | | | | | 
N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Microsoft.. A MSFT security flaw is like a good hot dog.
Something nice and familiar to throw on the grill but you can only have so many before they become commonplace and boring.
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power… | |
| | | | | | 
cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
 ·Verizon FIOS
| said by WALL_E :I'll be the first person to criticize Apple products for their flaws, but you have to question the motivation for popping repetitive articles about software/hardware glitches to the front page just because it's Apple. The ONLY reason this article is here is to stir the pot and get people worked up - not the be informative or helpful. Your right. Once a news story is reported on, it should never be mentioned again. We probably won't be seeing anything on Vista having bugs, NebuAd having privacy concerns, or a city having problems with metro WIFI. All those topics have already been covered and there won't ever be anything new to talk about them.
Apparently you are also a subscriber of Ny Teknik, "Sweden's foremost engineering weekly" and you already saw their report. No? Oh then you probably saw the AP article about the Ny Teknik report. But wait, that came out TODAY. Sounds like news to me, even if 100% of it wasn't new today.
The Nomura Securities research note is also dated yesterday. So maybe it's day old news. I bet you as well as most other people here didn't see that yet either.
With 2000+ posts, your obviously a frequent visitor here. Not everyone that visits DSLR is here every day, nor sees the every news articles when they do visit. There's nothing wrong with repeating an article with mostly the same content, and more so nothing wrong with posting one that has additional references. | |
| | | | | 
FastiBook
join:2003-01-08
Newtown, PA
1 edit | Re: It's not rocket science. It wouldn't cost that much to replace them on any scale, because you can just refurb the used ones & sell them too or use them for repair parts, have the chipmaker pay damage fees for the issue.
--
LETS GO METS! | |
| | 
rec9140
Provoice just DO it
join:2003-07-29
Mulberry, FL
| said by Rob :
If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different.
Not mine. ms is just as bad if not worse than apple.
My personal and my business computers, and all IT systems run Linux.
I am slowing dragging kicking and screaming all other business systems to Linux. My attitude and distaste is well known in my office(s). I saved $4,000 by just going to OpenOffice alone on a recent PC upgrade. ms can take a leap off a tall building into a bucket.
All those systems I am junking are getting wiped and KMint installed and either put into use for other duties or given to employees.
The i(diot)phone is just that for all the apple cult members. They blew it the first time when they went 2G on GSM and rushed a 3G version. Stand up and take the blame Jobs!
My needs for a cell phone are far less than most. It makes and receives calls, gets SMS messages to act as an alpha pager. Thats it. Since I have aircards I no longer need tethering ability.
I can count on one hand the number of portable cell phones I've had since 1984, with fingers left!
crapple and msloth will get no quarter from me.
--
Ban all copyright, trademarks, and IP laws!//Lorem ipsum ei pro stet equidem labores, at enim animal expetenda nec. Ea vix argumentum dissentiunt, usu esse ridens ex. | |
| | 
NetAdmin
join:2008-05-22
| said by Rob :If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different. Probably not. If there is a problem, it is due to Infineon, not Apple. I'd say the same thing if Microsoft made a phone.
When a problem is tracked to a specific component, you blame that vendor.
--
---
Eleven years of carrying The Clue Bat... | |
| | |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Microsoft.. said by NetAdmin :said by Rob :If this had been a Microsoft product, the comments posted thus far would have been oh so much different. Probably not. If there is a problem, it is due to Infineon, not Apple. I'd say the same thing if Microsoft made a phone. When a problem is tracked to a specific component, you blame that vendor. That's buck passing! True, the fault may belong with a vendor of one component in a product made of many components, but the device is designed, contracted for build, and sold under Apple's name. There may be an attempt to spin and reframe the issue so that focus shifts to a specific vendor, but people don't buy their iPhones from Infineon.
-- | |
| | | |
NetAdmin
join:2008-05-22
| Re: Microsoft.. said by Titus Pullo :That's buck passing! True, the fault may belong with a vendor of one component in a product made of many components, but the device is designed, contracted for build, and sold under Apple's name. There may be an attempt to spin and reframe the issue so that focus shifts to a specific vendor, but people don't buy their iPhones from Infineon. No, it is putting the blame where it belongs. Infineon produces the chips and Infineon should have had QA procedures in place to prevent those chips from making into the distribution channel. Apple used those chips believing that Infineon had sent them good hardware. And since it doesn't seem to be affecting every iPhone, it sounds like it is a problem with inconsistent QA on Infineon's end, whereby some chips are fine and others aren't.
Apple can't test EVERY iPhone under the conditions that cause the problem to appear.
Flat out, this is purely Infineon's fault.
--
---
Eleven years of carrying The Clue Bat... | |
| | | | |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Microsoft.. said by NetAdmin :said by Titus Pullo :That's buck passing! True, the fault may belong with a vendor of one component in a product made of many components, but the device is designed, contracted for build, and sold under Apple's name. There may be an attempt to spin and reframe the issue so that focus shifts to a specific vendor, but people don't buy their iPhones from Infineon. No, it is putting the blame where it belongs. Infineon produces the chips and Infineon should have had QA procedures in place to prevent those chips from making into the distribution channel. Apple used those chips believing that Infineon had sent them good hardware. And since it doesn't seem to be affecting every iPhone, it sounds like it is a problem with inconsistent QA on Infineon's end, whereby some chips are fine and others aren't. Apple can't test EVERY iPhone under the conditions that cause the problem to appear. Flat out, this is purely Infineon's fault. Fine. Then perhaps you can help us in finding a number at Infineon where those affected may find recompense for faulty Apple Inc. iPhones.
Getting my drift yet? Fault, blame, and responsibility are not debatable nor interchangeable for the consumer. Trust me when I say that Apple is well aware of this fact.
-- | |
| | | | | |
NetAdmin
join:2008-05-22
| Re: Microsoft.. said by Titus Pullo :Fault, blame, and responsibility are not debatable nor interchangeable for the consumer. That's because the average consumer has much of a clue as my neighbor's dog.
Trust me when I say that Apple is well aware of this fact. No doubt. Things are not going to be pretty between Infineon and Apple. Ultimately Infineon is going to be paying for this.
--
---
Eleven years of carrying The Clue Bat... | |
| | 
en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Right... Microsoft smart phones would be 'reboot often' and the issue should go away.
Now a Linux smartphone on the other hand...
--
Canada = Hollywood North | |
| | | | 
Count Zero
MD2Be
Premium
join:2007-01-18
Warner Robins, GA | And that would of course be because the originally cited article would have been less biased and more truthful probably. | |
| | | 
Silvanos
It's a new Silvanos experience
Premium
join:2002-10-07
Buffalo, NY
·Verizon FIOS
| Re: Anyone who owns an iPhone 3G knows there is a problem... I've never seen my phone go to the edge network, I've turned off wi-fi because the 3g works so well.
I've had 0 dropped calls, my browser has dropped a couple times but never a call.
It's not a flawless phone but I've been very happy with mine.
--
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? | |
| | |
lkvilla
@comcast.net
| Apple iPhone problems Just wanted to add a quick comment. For the record my family owns the older iPhone and loves it. However, I work for a telecom vendor (we don't manufacture handsets) and one of my customers is complaining that remotely checking their work voicemail does not work at all with their iPhone 3G. I tried the same test with my older model iPhone and had no problems at all. Clearly, its not speculation about problems, there are problems. I certainly hope Apple works them out as from a design standpoint, it blows the doors off the competition. Apple has Design down to an art. I just wish they were better partners to the carriers. A little humility, Apple, would go a long way. | |
| | 
jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ | Paid to be beta testers When you're the first to buy a high tech product which hasn't been tested under every conceivable circumstance, you're a beta tester.
And, you paid for the privilege. | |
|
Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
|  Fanboy-ism!
It's just a damn phone that has problems that are well documented by every major news/tech site. Yet the minute the product is held up as anything but the pinnacle of all technology with a chorus of angels singing in the background, the product owners attack like rabid dogs.
Are you trying to justify your purchase? Are you angry because you spent so much money to be cool and now people are starting to find flaws and say, "Hey wait, this isn't that cool!"
If anything, you should scream the LOUDEST to get Apple or AT&T to fix it.
Additionally, if you think the financial analysts don't know what they are talking about, you need your head examined. They are in charge of millions to billions of dollars and are paid very well to manage it. If their job was so easy, everyone would do it because, contrary to popular belief, there is a ton of money in making money for other people. Just Google how much the Top 10 Hedge Fund manager made last year. It probably starts close to a billion per year. | |
| |
See 6 replies to this post | |
russotto
join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA
| Faulty chip? What evidence Speculation from analysts is worthless. Yes, I'm sure Infineon would have sold Apple an obviously subpar, unfixable chipset, and Apple would never have noticed. And that based on apparently no evidence at all.
If Ny Teknik's source is right and the problem is antenna matching, then it's a simple fix -- but one which has to be done in hardware. | |
|
trreview
@cox.net
| It's not apple it's ATT I've has a Motorola Q for almost a year and have major problems with the 3G. When the phone switches from 3G and E I get dropped calls and when useing call waiting on 3G the entire phone locks up. The temp fix to this problem was to force the phone to stay in E. Have been in the att store many time about the problem with everyone telling me that the problem needs to be repeated in the store for them to do something about it. I final got a store rep in Phoenix that had the same phone with the same problem and showed me out to turn 3G off. ATT has a major problem and I hope they can get it figured out before the Blackberry Bolt comes out. | |
| |
Rendall4U
@charter.com
| Re: It's not apple it's ATT Bingo. We been having this problem with all of our devices since 3G's inception.
Sure the iPhone gets all the buzz, but I've deployed hundreds of AT&T 3G phones to our staff (none of them use the 3G iPhone) and the complaints are all about the network bouncing between 3G and EDGE in good coverage areas and dropped or distorted calls.
Nobody likes bad PR, but the network team @ AT&T who blindly claim across the board that their network is perfect need to really step up and deliver what they promise. I blame Apple for the poor battery's they sell me for my Powerbook, but my own 3G iPhone does not perform any better or worse than the other 3G phones I've used. They all suck.
There are a lot of reasons I may not like Verizon Wireless, but I'm almost positive there wouldn't be as many network related complaints if the phone was used on their network. | |
| 
Nezmo
The name's Bond. James Bond.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-11-10
Coppell, TX
·Verizon FIOS
| Watch out for 2.0.2... I have a feeling that Apple, without admitting anything, will slip out another firmware update that will resolve this. And the release notes will say "bug fixes." The 3G issues will be resolved and neither Apple or AT&T will have admitted anything.
Call me a cynic if you want. That's what happens when you get older, lol. | |
| | | | | cgigate
join:2003-05-12
Fort Worth, TX
| Re: Watch out for 2.0.2... said by Mike :2.1 actually. However, there is a bunch of unmentionable goodies in there which will make a lot of people happy. 8.x would be! | |
| | | Steve B
join:2004-08-02
Seattle, WA | Re: What's the big deal? I think a part of the deal is that in the eyes of some, Apple can do no wrong and the fact of there possibly being a design flaw in the iPhone 3G is an affront to that. | |
| 
bky
moof moof
Premium
join:2002-07-05
Austin, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
1 edit | Sounds familiar... I remember having problems with my Macbook not staying properly connected to my AT&T-provided wireless router at home. Even after finding 500+ response support threads on APPLES OWN SITE, they've still never even acknowledged it as an issue.
It all boils down to the generic recall formula:
A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.
In Apple's case, "There is no problem." | |
| |
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Sounds familiar... said by bky :I remember having problems with my Macbook not staying properly connected to my AT&T-provided wireless router at home. Even after finding 500+ response support threads on APPLES OWN SITE, they've still never even acknowledged it as an issue. It all boils down to the generic recall formula: In Apple's case, "There is no problem." I'll resist your 'alphabet' thing
I also had problems with my macbook (still do now and again), and a patch for Tiger users appeared with "bug fixes" and the problem was much better. I think it was a kludge. In any event, people with any insight saw this coming from the day Apple went from Apple Computer to Apple Inc. and spread their product line with a spatula.
I own nearly all apple, and I'm generally enamored with their products and support (support is still darn good, though I would imagine getting pretty stressed at this point), but I wondered how quality control with rapid growth, and in varied markets, was going to pan out.
I think we're finally seeing the results come home to roost.
How Apple was to manage and perpetuate the mystique of quality, innovation, brand and implied elitism (subtle, but there) when their goal became brand ubiquity has always eluded me.
The secrecy thing simply won't work with more eyes and hands on your products. Not everyone writing about Apple works for MacWorld!
Frankly I don't get where their head is since becoming Apple Inc - other than making money, obviously.
-- | |
| ebubman
join:2002-01-17
Enola, PA | stupid customers... what the hell good ideas or thinking could possibly come from customers??? who do they think they are trying to tell either apple or attws what to do??? | |
| 
SoJo
I'll Sleep when I am Dead
Premium
join:2002-05-07
Gilroy, CA
·Verizon Online DSL
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
| iPhone Woes I too am experiencing all the same issues (Dropped calls while on 3G network, no service while my co-workers have all 4 bars)that a lot of iPhone 3G users are having.
My main reason for getting the iPhone 3G is it is a 2nd generation iPhone (presumably all the kinks were worked out of the 1st gen iPhone) and there were some really cool add-ins (GPS, 3G Network, etc...)
I feel myself and a lot of other folks I've been let down. I don't really care who is at fault, I'd like to have the issue(s) resolved so I get the services I paid( And paying) for.
--
"Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!"- Bluto- Animal House | |
| | | 
insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN
| Can't do it until new ones are made. If they announced a problem, people might stop buying their current stock. They will announce the problem when the stores receive a new fixed batch. So they can say all current stock in stores is not effected by the past problems. Then they will setup a plan to replace current ones that will involve weeks or months of waiting for them to make more and only if you ask them to replace it. They are going to hope that most people won't try to replace the phone. And once it's out of warranty they won't have to fix it. So I can imagine the second hand iphone market is now dead. Since you can bet it will be full of unfixed iphones out of warranty. | |
| | 
odreian615
join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL | I blame ATT I don't think Att 3G service can take that many 3G comsumers just yet. My Samsung 3G phone does the exact same thing iphone users are expericing | |
| | | |
|
|
·
·
Looks like the Apple/AT+T mob is posturing to do nothing about the problem. The easiest solution is to claim that the malfunction is normal. Cingular/Motorola did nothing about a hardware problem with an early Motorola Razor model, you know when they cost around $200.00 with a Two Year Contract, even though they were aware of a problem. A local Cingular Authorized Dealer that I did business with was caught between his customers and Cingular/Motorola with no offer to replace defective handsets. The C/M Mob sent the dealer a letter that claimed the problem would only occur under very specific circumstances and the majority of users would never experience the problem. Luckily I was not affected because I used Sprint. If there is a problem with the I Phone 3G Apple should replace them.