News
Blogs
Shark Bait
Knowledge Centers
Opinion
Webcasts
Video
Podcasts
IT Careers
White Papers
Computerworld Reports
Zones
Case Study Library
RSS Feeds
Events
Industry
This Week in Print
Print Subscriptions


Ads by TechWords

See your link here


Subscribe to our e-mail newsletters
For more info on a specific newsletter, click the title. Details will be displayed in a new window.
Computerworld Daily News (First Look and Wrap-Up)
Computerworld Blogs Newsletter
The Weekly Top 10
More E-Mail Newsletters 
Seth Weintraub's picture
Seth Weintraub

Apple Ink

More posts | Read bio

August 29, 2008 - 4:18 P.M.

September iPhone update 2.1 ... all about bug fixes

11 comments

There is no doubt that iPhone 2.0.x software is buggier and slower (in contact browsing for instance, not Internet speed) than the previous iPhone software. Many people are also complaining about 3G speed issues, painfully long sync times, some security vulnerabilities and call dropping.

That hasn't stopped the onslaught of people buying them. Some sources say that Apple may have already doubled its first generation iPhone sales numbers, and it goes on sale at Best Buy on September 7th. Also, the App store has been a resounding success.

Apple is slowly recognizing these faults and has said that they are fixing them. Emails have also purportedly come out, directly from Steve Jobs, saying that fixes are in route.

Is Apple serious about quashing the bugs? Yes. In fact, the latest beta builds of the iPhone 2.1 software have dropped the background synching capability, most likely so Apple engineers could focus on fiing bugs - rather than introducing new ones with the new features. Apple promised the functionality by September and will likely have to backtrack a bit in when 2.1 is released next month.

However, it isn't all bad news. Apple may finally have a really legitimate tethering plan in place in September. Steve Jobs wrote a Gizmodo user saying that Apple was working with AT&T and presumably the other international carriers on this functionality but no more details were forthcoming. Currently the only way to tether the iPhone is to jailbreak it, unless you were lucky enough to grab the convoluted NetShare application the day it was available in the iTunes App Store.

I literally can't wait.

Like this Apple blog? Subscribe to the RSS feed!

What People Are Saying

Add new comment

Almost Got It...

Submitted by Whiskey Karma on September 6, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.

You are right Apple does have to focus on bug fixes rather then introducing new features to the iPhone with the release of 2.1. However you are wrong in saying the Push Notification Service is a new feature. The PNS is actually in all reality a HUGE bug fix. It's fixing the biggest App bug there is. The iPhone has had a very big flaw since release and that is that it has been missing simple and common cellphone functions since day one. Things you can get with the cheapest of cell phones on any carrier that are just not there with the iPhone (first gen or otherwise). PNS is a big step in rectifying that issue. Apple and ATT have to decide what to do about the whole MMS issue as well. Back to the point though, if I can get notified of a new Instant Message using AIM mobile on a $40 cell phone then I damn sure better be able to have the same with my $200 cell phone.

Reply | Report this comment

Iphone 2.0.2 Update

Submitted by Anonymous on August 30, 2008 - 6:30 P.M.

Disclaimer: this is a computer in an Internet Cafe that I had to hunt around for -it was totally out of my way.

I have the touch with the 2.0.2 update and I normally use it as my backup laptop given it's e-mail and Internet browser abilities. About a week ago it crashed on me. I tried rebooting it but all i get is the Apple in the middle of the screen. Basically I am dead in the water until I can get back to my own computer 1,000 miles away...yeah, I hope that simply connecting it back to my coputer will fix it. I think that the iPhone 2.0.2 software patch simply created a bunch of new problems.

I am thinking that a step back in the software is better even if it takes away some features. I'd rahter have the more stable system minus the buggy workings.

Also, what's up with that back-up function? It's like a gamble everytime. If you want to add that new podcast really quickly than you might be out of luck. You could be sitting there for hours or it might simply just time out on you.

Over all I am not that happy with the last Apple software patch 2.0.2.

I can't wait to see what new surprises that the next patch brings.

Reply | Report this comment

I had the same problem with

Submitted by Anonymous on August 31, 2008 - 12:59 A.M.

I had the same problem with my iPod touch. Almost weekly the iPod crashed and then it would stop booting up at the apple logo. I always had to restore it. I got so frustrated that I ended up sending it to apple and getting it fixed. I just hope that its an issue with my ipod and not the 2.0.* firmware...

Reply | Report this comment

The 3G fixed has already been fixed.

Submitted by Anonymous on August 29, 2008 - 6:49 P.M.

The 3G fixed has already been fixed.

Now we just need everyone to install the
update.

v2.0.2 fixed it.

But as long as people still use v2.0.1...
*ALL* of us will have a problem.

Reply | Report this comment

I disagree. I have version

Submitted by Anonymous on September 2, 2008 - 11:35 A.M.

I disagree. I have version 2.02, and I am still getting the apple screen of death. I hope that they fix it soon, or I am definitely getting my money back on the POS. I can't even make emergency phone calls.

Reply | Report this comment

I am tempted to think that

Submitted by Anonymous on August 30, 2008 - 2:06 P.M.

I am tempted to think that those statements made by apple and others *("But as long as people still use v2.0.1...*ALL* of us will have a problem.") were made to take some heat off of them and AT&T.

Think about it. Supposedly, it is no longer Apple's or AT&T's fault. It OUR fault cause not everyone has upgraded. Hmmmm, just a little curious.

Reply | Report this comment

Trying to think, but nothing happens.

Submitted by Trollicus on August 30, 2008 - 3:56 P.M.

"I am tempted to think"

Don't do it man! It's not worth it, leads to all sorts of problems.

Your better off not thinking and sticking with Vista.

Reply | Report this comment

You are

Submitted by Trollicus on August 30, 2008 - 3:59 P.M.

That should be "you're" I better correct it before someone who got a b+ in grammer and a c+ in basic math complains.

Reply | Report this comment

that'll be "GRAMMAR"

Submitted by Anonymous on August 31, 2008 - 8:54 A.M.

that'll be "GRAMMAR" then.
What grade did YOU get in English Language ?

Reply | Report this comment

HAHAHA

Submitted by Trollicus on August 31, 2008 - 11:31 A.M.

I was waiting for that, some people just can't resist.

Can you say "Fished in", hahahahahaha!

Reply | Report this comment

Related Posts

Cartier drops lawsuit against Apple over iPhone app
Apple's iPhone Push Notifications are running
BOOM! Apple's new iPhone Video/3G/3.0/3GS/2009; Steve Jobs pre-WWDC
New 2009 Palm Pre vs old 2008 iPhone ... FIGHT!

Today's Top Stories

Context-aware mobility: What is it and how will it change the business world?
Vista Ultimate users fume, rant over Windows 7 deals
Elgan: The carrier coup must be stopped
DOJ officially opens investigation into Google Book Search
Judge temporarily dismisses MySpace cyberbully case
Mozilla slates first Firefox 3.5 patch
About Us Advertise Contacts Editorial Calendar Help Desk Jobs at IDG Privacy Policy Reprints Site Map
CIO Computerworld CSO DEMO GamePro Games.net IDC IDG IDG Connect IDG Knowledge Hub IDG TechNetwork IDG Ventures
IDG.net InfoWorld ITwhitepapers ITworld JavaWorld LinuxWorld Macworld Network World PC World The Industry Standard
Copyright © 1994 - 2009 Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of
Computerworld Inc. is prohibited. Computerworld and Computerworld.com and the respective logos are trademarks of International Data Group Inc.