New iPhone and iPod Software

[AJAY]

Has anyone tried downloading the new iOS4 software for the iPhone or iPod? I am having problems downloading it. I keep getting stuck on the system "backup" phase, and it looks like nothing is happening. I waited several hours and nothing seemed to be progressing.

 

Anyone else having any luck?

[Diskono]

Don't have an iPhone, but I'm running IOS 12.3 on my router at home.

[I Heart Brewers]

I successfully downloaded it yesterday afternoon for my Iphone 3GS. I had to download and update to the newest version of Itunes first though, perhaps that is your issue? The update took about 20-25 minutes I think. Works pretty well. I love the new folders and multitasking.

[AJAY]

I finally got it to work (although it took me five hours and several different attempts). I did have the latest version of iTunes, so that wasn't the issue. I am still not sure why it took forever.

[adamb100]

Backup in iTunes is always notoriously slow. I just restored my iPod with iOS 4 instead of waiting hours.

[madbad2000]

My update took about 15 minutes from download to restart of iphone. I'm loving the folders. My 13 pages of apps are now on 3 pages and easily organized. Great upgrade. Haven't played much with the new camera additions. Looks to be a winner so far for me.

[AJAY]

Madbad, I totally agree that the folders are awesome. I do wish there was a way to come up with a custom icon or graphic for each folder. Right now, all the folders I have look the same. It's not as visually appealing.

[madbad2000]

AJAY, I agree that would be a nice addition as well to the folder icons. But the folders do allow you to enjoy your wallpaper more easily.

[gobrew23]

If anyone is planning on getting the new iPhone, let me just tell you that this thing is amazing. Can't stop playing with it.

[thebruce44]

If anyone is planning on getting the new iPhone, let me just tell you that this thing is amazing. Can't stop playing with it.

Have you had the issues with the signal dropping when you hold it in your hand? It sounds like there may have to be a recall from what I have read.

[chrisisoutrunning]

Not going to be a recall, there will be a software update in the very near future to correct problems.

[thebruce44]

Not going to be a recall, there will be a software update in the very near future to correct problems.

 

It was my understanding the problem was the antenna location. If that is the case, I don't see how software can fix it. Hopefully Apple has something up their sleeve.

[chrisisoutrunning]

It was my understanding the problem was the antenna location. If that is the case, I don't see how software can fix it. Hopefully Apple has something up their sleeve.

The entire band around the phone serves as the antenna. From what I've read, the software for some reason is not changing which part of the band the phone is using to try to get signal from. While I consider myself fairly tech savvy, I'm don't understand what exactly is going on any better than that. I know it sounds wrong to say, "Hey, you just bought a $200 or $300 phone, just go buy the $30 bumper!", but that's all it really takes to solve the problem.

 

As a side note, 1.7 million iPhone 4's were sold in the first weekend, a number only limited by the supply chain.

[FVBrewerFan]

The issue, like most, is overblown. I have tried everything to make my signal drop, and it doesn't. I have covered the whole outside of the phone with my hands, etc. and it doesn't drop a call, even in the basement.

[thebruce44]

The issue, like most, is overblown. I have tried everything to make my signal drop, and it doesn't. I have covered the whole outside of the phone with my hands, etc. and it doesn't drop a call, even in the basement.

I have read a little more about 'The Death Grip." It probably is a little overblown, but it sounds as though it is effecting roughly 50% of phones. Its great that you got a regular one, but a lot of people didn't and for them it sounds like it is a problem. I have heard it will be fixed with a software patch, but I have also heard tech people say thats not going to be possible. Either way its a public relations headache and if I had waited in line to get one I would be pretty upset.

[hawing]

We are new owners of an iPod touch (8GB - came free with a Macbook purchase). Since the iOS4 update appears to pertain to iPhones and iPod touches with 32 or 64GB capacity, is the update necessary on the 8GB iPod touch?

[strawbossisevil]

I would do the upgrade for the following reasons:

 

1) Folders. You can sort your applications into folders, rather than having to sort through page after page of apps.

2) Threaded email.

[bjkrautk]

We are new owners of an iPod touch (8GB - came free with a Macbook purchase). Since the iOS4 update appears to pertain to iPhones and iPod touches with 32 or 64GB capacity, is the update necessary on the 8GB iPod touch?

 

It's not a 'necessary' update, since your iPod Touch will run just fine as-is (although I'm sure you'll have to reject prompting with some degree of regularity). There may be some apps for the Touch that will require an OS upgrade down the line, FWIW.

 

My one gripe with iOS4 on my Touch is that podcasts - while the player is vertically-aligned - keeps the podcast description up with the timecode / manual play controls. Not a big deal for audio, but a pain in the rear end during video podcasts. The only remedies I see are to turn the player on its side (which drops all the controls for audio-only podcasts), or tap the screen in order to hide the manual control overlay.

It's an exceedingly minor gripe....but it's the type of thing that I'd expect to be able to fix easily in an options menu for a non-Apple product.

[thevaccinator27]

I have an old iPhone 3g and upgraged. I find the phone's performance to be much more flaky since upgrading. The phone part still works the same, but it seems like my processor isn't big enough to hanlde the new OS. Major lag in it's response to touching the screen at times

[strawbossisevil]

That's interesting thevaccinator, I have a 2G ipod touch and the only problem I've had has been the app store closing randomly on occasion. I haven't noticed any lag, and that's on older hardware.

[LouisEly]

HTC Evo from Sprint

 

Android platform, not on AT&T network, 4G.

[thebruce44]

Where do you live LouisEly? Can you get 4G?

[strawbossisevil]

Sprint's nationwide coverage limps though. I have it here in Florida, and my reception is terrible. And 4G currently isn't available in many places.

 

That said, Evo is a sweet phone especially if you pay for tethering. Sprint is one of the few companies left that still gives unlimited data. So, for a single guy, all you need is an Evo, and you won't have to pay for wireless internet in your apartment, assuming you can get a decent enough signal (better than what I currently get here in FL). The only downside I've heard about that phone is it eats batteries for breakfast, that in some cases you won't even make it through the work day without needing a charge.

 

I'm moving up to Iphone 4 here in a few weeks. Pretty psyched about it. I'm especially excited about the camera that comes with it, as all reviews on it have said can almost measure up with some point and shoot cameras. That's high praise for a cell phone camera. Plus, great HD display, solid battery life, facetime, hd video recording and editing, plus I can keep all of the apps I've purchased for my ipod touch. Plus, in my line of work, there are some specific apps that I use quite frequently that Google simply doesn't have available yet in their app store.

[thebruce44]

strawbossisevil[/b]]Sprint's nationwide coverage limps though. I have it here in Florida, and my reception is terrible. And 4G currently isn't available in many places.

 

That said, Evo is a sweet phone especially if you pay for tethering. Sprint is one of the few companies left that still gives unlimited data. So, for a single guy, all you need is an Evo, and you won't have to pay for wireless internet in your apartment, assuming you can get a decent enough signal (better than what I currently get here in FL). The only downside I've heard about that phone is it eats batteries for breakfast, that in some cases you won't even make it through the work day without needing a charge.

 

I'm moving up to Iphone 4 here in a few weeks. Pretty psyched about it. I'm especially excited about the camera that comes with it, as all reviews on it have said can almost measure up with some point and shoot cameras. That's high praise for a cell phone camera. Plus, great HD display, solid battery life, facetime, hd video recording and editing, plus I can keep all of the apps I've purchased for my ipod touch. Plus, in my line of work, there are some specific apps that I use quite frequently that Google simply doesn't have available yet in their app store.

I use Clear as my moble internet (for a netbook) and for at home. Sprint uses their 4G network in the Chicago area. It works pretty well. I am waiting for Verizon's new 4G network to come out, then I will cancel Clear and get a 4G phone to use at home and on the go. My 4G WiMax right now is about as fast as my cable connection was since Comcast could never get it to work correctly in my condo.

 

I think in a couple of years everyone will just use cell coverage as their only internet connection. They will probably use it to watch TV shows too. The cable company should be worried. After years of poor customer service and raising prices we are almost to the point where phasing them out is a real possibility. I assume I am not the only person looking forward to cancelling my service with them.

[strawbossisevil]

I already have canceled my cable. There really is little need for it anymore. I have a digital receiver on both of my TVs, so I get all of the local channels, so I can watch just about everything I want with that.

 

I can watch just about any show I want via Hulu, CBS.com, mlb.com etc. Or by hunting around the web long enough.

 

The only thing I'm still getting from the cable company is roadrunner. And someday, I can envision doing away with that too, like you said, with phones being able to act as routers.

 

The only problem with this, is that most of the big phone companies (other than Sprint) don't have unlimited data anymore. At&t now limits data at 2GB. Go past that and they'll charge you another $25. Same goes for Verizon.

 

I imagine the cable companies breathed a huge sigh of relief when those unlimited plans started going away. Eventually, though, I'll imagine those data limits will start to increase to the point where they'll meet the monthly needs of our digital society, hopefully sooner rather than later.