My review of my iPhone 3G

[viewfly]

FYI,

From Business Week On line


What's Behind the iPhone 3G Glitches
Dropped calls and choppy Web surfing on Apple's latest smartphone stem from an Infineon chip. A fix is on the way


Users of the iPhone 3G complain they're unable to get the faster connections available on so-called 3G, or third-generation, wireless networks even in some areas where 3G networks are in place. Owners also lament frequent shifting between high-speed and slower-speed networks during calls and Web sessions. The handoffs sometimes result in dropped calls. The problem is affecting 2% to 3% of iPhone traffic, the people say. That compares with a dropped-call rate of around 1% for all traffic for AT&T

According to this person, the problems are only occurring in areas of high iPhone density. These include the San Francisco Bay area, Boston, and certain overseas locales. The reason the problem has gotten worse in recent days is because of the steep increase in iPhone activations in these places.


What's Behind the iPhone 3G Glitches

The sources add that Apple (AAPL) plans to remedy the problems through a software upgrade (within the next month)

[viewfly]

Originally Posted by viewfly

FYI,

From Business Week On line


What's Behind the iPhone 3G Glitches
Dropped calls and choppy Web surfing on Apple's latest smartphone stem from an Infineon chip. A fix is on the way


Users of the iPhone 3G complain they're unable to get the faster connections available on so-called 3G, or third-generation, wireless networks even in some areas where 3G networks are in place. Owners also lament frequent shifting between high-speed and slower-speed networks during calls and Web sessions. The handoffs sometimes result in dropped calls. The problem is affecting 2% to 3% of iPhone traffic, the people say. That compares with a dropped-call rate of around 1% for all traffic for AT&T

According to this person, the problems are only occurring in areas of high iPhone density. These include the San Francisco Bay area, Boston, and certain overseas locales. The reason the problem has gotten worse in recent days is because of the steep increase in iPhone activations in these places.


What's Behind the iPhone 3G Glitches

The sources add that Apple (AAPL) plans to remedy the problems through a software upgrade (within the next month)

Fortunately, my 2 3G iPhones have been part of the majority of iPhones that are not experiencing the problems that others have reported in various forums. But clearly some people have had defective phones, as evidenced that a replacement solves some of their problems with reception. I have been running 3G continuously the last week, and it is working fine, switching betwee 2 and 3G

But it is also obvious that many moved into a 3G phone with no experience of what to expect. As a result they expected 1) att's 3G to be build out in areas that it is not, 2) little experience how a phone software might chose 3G over 2G, and 3) the difference between 850 and 1900, esp inside building structures. Finally, esp in overseas markets, they may be a problem with the 3G chip, again within its algorithm for deciding between 2 or 3G.

Regarding (2), I've read many complaints that the 3G signal (normally in terms of 'bars') is weak, yet when they force the phone into 2G mode they get full bars. IMO and experience, in a good 3G area the signal comparison, on my phone, is the same. Yet there are places, esp indoors, when the 3G signal is weaker than 2G. I see this as mostly due to normal signal propagation issues. Yet I think some people expect that the phone will always go to the highest signal mode...it doesn't work that way. It reminds me of the GAIT years when gsm was being introduced into the tdma field.

Clearly the phone seeks 3G first. It will hold on to that until the bitter end, before it will go to a stronger 2G mode. It would be silly to constantly seek the strongest signal; that would only increase the probability of a dropped call, IMO. I don't think most people realize that, and perhaps the chip maker and apple, have set the thresholds too conservatively for the environment. This is how GAIT worked. So as long as the call quality is good, and it has been to me, i don't worry about it having 1 bar in 3G when I can get 3 or more bars in 2G. In my case, and in all my cases, if I step outside my building, the signal are the same...in dBm mode. I only consider going to only 2G if I not doing much data or am concerned about battery life.

And of course, many people believe that 'bars' is a standard between phones. As some have reported when comparing Nokia's, etc. to the iPhone, in dBm mode, it is clear that bars are not a standard. Those that truly get poor signals, as measured carefully in dBm mode, probably do have a defective phone.

So I see it has been a PR nightmare with a combination of sooo many phones hitting the market on the same day, a misunderstanding how dual mode phones may work, what 'bars' mean and are, and of course some defective phones out there. And, if the Business Week article is true, a chip software glitch that will be changed soon. Based on my own tests, my 2 3G phones are receiving RF signals very well.

[Alienware_51]

Hey everybody, check out WA on your iPhone now and bookmark it to your home screen, it's got a home screen logo now!

[YourDream84]

Originally Posted by Alienware_51

Hey everybody, check out WA on your iPhone now and bookmark it to your home screen, it's got a home screen logo now!

Stupid question... is that the wireless version, or just the regular version of WA, because for some reason my phone doesn't want to load the mobile version...

~*Ash*~

[Alienware_51]

Originally Posted by YourDream84

Stupid question... is that the wireless version, or just the regular version of WA, because for some reason my phone doesn't want to load the mobile version...

~*Ash*~

Regular version

[bobolito]

You won't load the mobile version on iPhone because the website sees it as a computer, not as a cell phone.

[hf1khal]

Software upgrade to 2.0.2 is now there. I don't know what changes or fixes were made but it is runing the update npw after a clos to 250 MB download. Updating the iphone took about 10 minutes and that is much faster than it took on hte first release. By the way I have chosen not to send logs to Appple as they all said that this caused delays in synch and the update process.

[viewfly]

Originally Posted by Alienware_51

Hey everybody, check out WA on your iPhone now and bookmark it to your home screen, it's got a home screen logo now!

That's a pretty neat trick. I had it 'bookmarked' before, but I like the icon instead. Thanks.

[viewfly]

Originally Posted by hf1khal

Software upgrade to 2.0.2 is now there. I don't know what changes or fixes were made but it is runing the update npw after a clos to 250 MB download. Updating the iphone took about 10 minutes and that is much faster than it took on hte first release. By the way I have chosen not to send logs to Appple as they all said that this caused delays in synch and the update process.

My upgrade went smoothly. I can't say that I noticed any real difference: the contact's list is faster, and maybe the phone, when it goes to Edge, doesn't try right away to go back to 3G (if the signal is still lower). But when I'm outside it goes to 3G right away. I have not had any dropped calls, but then I never had any either before.

I feel sorry for some of the whiner's on hofo... There was an interesting Poll over there: 'how many had a defective phone' Out of 174 responses, 65% had no defects and 25% resolved their problems after 1 phone exchange and another 5% after 2 phone exchanges. So it seems like 95% are doing fine now, with 5% still having problems (but no details on what they are). Other polls, in other forums, seems to say the same thing. Yes, 5% is high, but the majority seem to be doing fine. Personally, I know about 5 users, and we are all doing fine. (http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...hlight=Poll%3A)

My data speeds are quite good, averaging around 700kbps and up as high as 1.3Mbps. In the first week after introduction (and sometimes during very heavy traffic, but less so these days), the 3G speeds would drop to 300 kbps. But considering that 2G is max'd at 130kbps or so, it is still as advertised...2x in 3G, even with getting only 300 kps,so not much room for complaints. But I'm glad to be getting more average higher data speeds. I'm keeping the phone now on 3G. I guess both Apple and ATT were smart to conservatively claim only 2x data speed over 2G, instead of saying 10x, which I sometimes can get.

BTW, I thought to attach 2 photos from my iPhone. Enjoy.

[hf1khal]

Been runing thing a bit on it since yesterday, yes they seem to have even made contacts appear and scoll faster (from start up) other apps on it seem to be runing a bit better. I did not run the browser and many other data dependent apps on it as I want to avoid the data costs as it does add fast while roaming internationaly. I only do my email updates (that is limited for work and leave the personal for when I have a PC access) plus where I am at they are still on good old plain GPRS . Still need to waot till Nov. till I get back home to test and by then we should have 2.1 on it already (it seems that later this month or early Sep is the projected time for release).

[spleck]

When I upgraded to 2.0.2 I also had a few apps waiting in iTunes to be added to my phone. Upon syncing, none of my 3rd party apps worked anymore (crash after launch). I uninstalled all apps from my phone and from iTunes, then reinstalled iTunes and its working again. Not too cool, but it works now--I might be a bit slower to grab the next update.

[hf1khal]

All 24 apps that I have on it ran just fine with no issues. I caved in yesterday and le the apps that need the web run and hoped that the costs will not be high (I don't think they will but it is always good to find out).

[viewfly]

A little more review. Improved audio with 3G solves a problem for me over Nokia 6131 in the city:

I made a separate posting of this, but include it here too:

The 3G on Apple’s newest iPhone solved a problem for me. At least I have one data point to claim that.

I work and live in several cities and buildings. As I posted last year or so, one building in the Boston area really has given me difficulty with RF and audio quality on my Nokia 6131. Even though I can see the tall buildings of Boston (Prudential, etc) and the RF (‘bars’) are ok, 2 to 3, my transmitted audio was very garbled. I think Bobolito and others have suggested that due to congestion on the GSM network here, my phone was going to half rate AMR codec, producing the garbled sound. I don’t know, but it mostly occurred inside the building, compared to outside. Hence the reason for ATT to get 3G going in Boston, like other congested areas. They needed more capacity. Outside, with the 6131, the audio was just fine.

However and strangely, my older Nokia 6230 worked fine in both places, giving good transmitted audio. With the Nokia 6131, my wife refused to talk to me anymore .
Anyhow, I was curious whether going 3G would help the situation for me. And it seems that it did!!!

I’ve been using 3G more for voice the last week. I noticed that my wife never mentioned anything about the phone call. I asked and she confirmed that it was much better. (I’m certain it had nothing to do with the diamond earrings I gave recently ).

So I did the nerdy test with my answering machine. I left a message using the iPhone in 3G. I had only 2 or 3 bars. The audio was perfect! I then switched to GSM. I had 5 bars now (which is an improvement right there). However, the audio was quite garbled. Not as bad as with the 6131, but distinctly of less quality than in the 3G mode. I didn’t think to retry the old 6230.

So Apple’s 3G iPhone may have given me a solution to a problem that I was hoping from it. Of course, it is just 3G in general, but I chose to get the iPhone.

FYI. Has anyone else been in the same situation?

BTW, there is 3G in some of the T stops in Boston, like Park on the Green Line. Downtown, outside, I had -51dBm, on 3G

[viewfly]

I installed Firmware 2.1 Friday morning, without any glitches. Honestly, when I read some of the problems people have had on other forums, I wonder what the heck is going on. Perhaps too many jailbroken phones get screwed when then upgrade. Perhaps some can't follow directions (you get that feeling when someone posts "should i backup first?". LOL Some seem convinced that one has to restore, not just follow Apple's upgrade path to get the 'good stuff'. Pretty ridiculous, trying to outguess the software team when you have no clue what is going on.

oh well.

So my review of the 2.1 upgrade. Other than getting more bars in more places, not much to notice for me, since my phone was working well.. But I didn't have many problems. Don't know about battery life, but any slight lag I had on contacts is gone. The twice SMS message alert is nice (I missed that from my Nokia's). The volume is much louder, that was obvious right away when the phone restarted during the upgrade.

Things seem even snappier. I did get a drop call in the city during rush hour. The 3G icon changed. I'm still thinking what the more bars means, but it seems now that -95 and lower is now 5 bars. But -105 can be 1 bar or 4 bars. So I'm thinking that in the GSM world it is a measure of Signal strength, but now on 3G it is a measure of 'call Quality' factoring in noise floors. It may be more than a good PR job

On GPS there is a change. Use to be that when requesting location services on google maps, a window would come up asking if you wish to turn on GPS. Answer yes and it would turn on. Now the same window comes up, but answering yes does not turn on gps. Instead you answer 'Settings' and then it takes you to the settings window and turn on LBS. But it does not take you back to google maps. A software glitch.

Time will tell about battery life.

I don't know about reduction of dropped calls. I only get them rarely during rush hour in the Big City. And that is in 3G. I should try 2G and see if dropped calls is a problem. I think others should try this too.

For me the phone works still very well, as it always has. I hope the firmware fixes some issues that others had

[viewfly]

The ringer/speaker/earpiece was loud enough for my old ears...but all are definitely louder after 2.1 Too loud, I need to turn down the volume now.

[viewfly]

Review since upgrading to Firmware 2.1

I know there are not many WA users with 3G iPhones, but a little bit more of my review for those interested.

The update was easy with no crashes or after effects, at least for me. As I said earlier the volume is much louder than before, and any residual lag (which didn't bother me) is gone. Everything is sych'ing well with itunes.

My main comments are with battery life and 3G transition to 2G during a call, and dropped calls.
I didn't really have a big issue with any of these, but in the early days of ownership, I used 2G by default. Since about 3 weeks ago, I've kept my phone on 3G.

Before 2.1, during rush hours in Boston, I did get a few dropped calls. Outside those times it was fine. Since the 2.1 upgrade, I've had only one dropped call, but more of note, during rush hours the phone switched very smoothly from 3G to 2G. Twice I could hear a rather loud white noise background during the process, but no dropped call. Today, I was on the phone for 20 minutes at 5pm and the phone switched without my noticing it. So that seems to be working better now.

The battery life also is better. Below is an excerpt from my earlier post, when I was using 2G mainly and very little wifi, etc:

From my earlier post:
The battery icon is currently less than1/2 but greater than 1/3.

Usage time: 3 hr. 41 min
Standby time: 1 day 3 hours
Call time: 55 minutes
Data downloaded: 20 Mb
Data uploaded: 618 Kb

Plus a few short times on 3G and Wifi to run speed tests, but otherwise no 3G no WiFi, no GPS running, checking email manually, but not much, some small web browsing, again no too much.


Today, I'm getting the same numbers but with 3G on constantly, using wifi a lot, and much browsing. So not too scientific, but clearly the phone is getting better battery life, as other users are finding too.

So 2.1 was well worth it, and I'm still really enjoying this phone. It is just working for me in all ways as a phone, web browser and ipod.

Hope this helps any interested in the phone.

vf

[bobolito]

What about Exchange email, push email, etc. Have you tried any of that stuff in 2.1?

[viewfly]

Originally Posted by bobolito

What about Exchange email, push email, etc. Have you tried any of that stuff in 2.1?

I use exchange via exchange Outlook Web Access (OWA). It’s a web interface that brings up the same screen as my office outlook pages. That works well, but it is different than the full exchange. Mail, Calendar, Notes, etc. I can use them all.

My gmail and earthlink, STMP and POP emails work fine, sending and receiving. Before 2.1 they were occasionally hanging (spinning dial icon), but quitting the appl or more rarely restarting the iPhone would always fix that. But it was rare, and I do that with my PC outlook too. Since 2.1 it has been fine.

I gave up on my PUSH Yahoo, ymail.com account because it was so inconsistent. I blamed Yahoo. But with your post, I turned it on again and sent to myself 2 dozen emails, with attachments for some, from 3 different email accounts. I also set up a auto forwarding filter from gmail to ymail.
It worked every time in PUSH . I would get the alert with 1 to 20 seconds after s ending. Hmmm, I will try this more now.

What else? No appl’s crashing nor Safara either, at least when it does, it goes back to the same web page and just reloads…sort of like the firefox restore session option.

3rd party appls have always worked, installed, and update well for me. I think some of the big problems some users have over at HoFo is due to jail breaking the phone. I have no intent to go that path for a while. One cannot complain about the iPhone if your jail breaking and installing unapproved software, IMO.

P.S. Actually, with the PUSH ymail. com account, this is a better way for friends to send me MMS photo. I get it right away, not having to wait for a fetch.

[viewfly]

Originally Posted by viewfly

Review since upgrading to Firmware 2.1

The battery life also is better. Below is an excerpt from my earlier post, when I was using 2G mainly and very little wifi, etc:

From my earlier post:
The battery icon is currently less than1/2 but greater than 1/3.

Usage time: 3 hr. 41 min
Standby time: 1 day 3 hours
Call time: 55 minutes
Data downloaded: 20 Mb
Data uploaded: 618 Kb

Plus a few short times on 3G and Wifi to run speed tests, but otherwise no 3G no WiFi, no GPS running, checking email manually, but not much, some small web browsing, again no too much.


Today, I'm getting the same numbers but with 3G on constantly, using wifi a lot, and much browsing. So not too scientific, but clearly the phone is getting better battery life, as other users are finding too.
.

vf

I can continue on the battery life story, since I ran the phone down to zero this morning.
After the post last night with the above numbers (almost 4 hours, and 1 day), in 3G, browsing and using wifi, I turn on continously:

PUSH mail
GPS
Fetch mail every 15 minutes
Wifi
and of course 3G was still on.

Played some songs, and browsed the web.

The phone battery died at these conditions:

5 hours 24 min. Usage Time
1day 20 hours Standby Time
55 min Call time.

I let it go pass the 20 and 10% warning until the phone pooped out.

VF