iPhone 4 Signal Issue Can Be Fixed With a Software Update?

Despite the fact that today’s release of iOS 4.0.1 addressed only the display of signal strength on the iPhone and not actual signal attenuation issues caused by touching the antenna in the side of the iPhone 4, a software fix may yet still be possible. According to The New York Times , the signal attenuation issue is the result of an interaction between communication software within the device’s operating system and the antenna, an issue that could presumably be addressed with a software update. One person with direct knowledge of the phone’s design said Thursday that the iPhone 4 exposed a longstanding weakness in the basic communications software inside Apple’s phones and that the reception problems were not caused by an isolated hardware flaw. Instead, the problems emerged in the complex interaction between specialized communications software and the antenna, said the person, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter. The source also indicates that Apple CEO Steve Jobs did not learn of the signal issue until after the iPhone 4 began shipping, seemingly refuting a report from Bloomberg earlier today claiming that Jobs had been tipped off early in the design process that the antenna design could cause a problem

Page 2: Steve Jobs Claims iPhone 4 ‘Facts are Different’ Than Has Been Portrayed

Note: This is a Page 2 News Item Apple’s surprise announcement of a last minute press conference this Friday has led to a flurry of speculation about what Apple might be planning on doing. Apple will certainly be addressing the widely reported signal loss issue with the iPhone 4 in some form during the event. The speculation has ranged anywhere from free bumper cases to a full iPhone 4 recall.

Apple Not Planning an iPhone 4 Recall

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is not planning on issuing an iPhone 4 recall at tomorrow’s press conference. Apple’s iPhone 4 has been dogged by reports of antenna-reception problems since its launch last month. The company has called a news conference to discuss the issue Friday. Apple doesn’t plan to recall the phone, a person familar with the matter said

Apple’s Signal Strength Display Changes in iOS 4.0.1 and 4.1 Detailed

Late last month, Anandtech detailed the signal strength drop-off experienced by iPhone 4 users when bridging the antenna gap at the lower left corner of the device, mapping how the “bars” of signal strength shown on the device correspond to actual signal levels and how holding the phone in various positions affected that signal under iOS 4.0. Anandtech has now followed up with a test on Apple’s iOS 4.1 beta released yesterday that includes changes to how the visual “bar” indicators correspond to actual signal strength.

Apple Addresses iPhone Signal Strength Display With iOS 4.0.1 and iPad Wi-Fi Connectivity With iOS 3.2.1

As predicted earlier today, Apple has released iOS 4.0.1 (8A306) for the iPhone 4, 3GS, and 3G. According to the release notes, the update addresses changes to the signal strength indicators as promised by Apple earlier this month. – Improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display Early reports on the signal strength indicator changes included in the iOS 4.1 beta released to developers yesterday suggest that the changes do not affect actual signal strength, but only adjust the visual “bar” indicators on the screen.

Analyst Claims Design Fix for iPhone 4 Signal Issue Being Deployed

TheStreet reports on new research from Rodman Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar claiming that Apple has developed an internal insulator to isolate the iPhone 4’s antenna connection that has been causing signal reception issues. Apple has created “a design fix for the iPhone 4 that more adequately insulates the transceiver,” said Rodman Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar, who spoke to the company’s manufacturing partners. Apple has told its manufacturers to alter the iPhone production process to include an internal component that will insulate the defective antenna connection that has disrupted the phone’s signal reception, said Kumar.

iOS 4.1 Beta: Game Center, Facetime Favorites, Spelling Correction, More…

Aside from the signal bar changes, Apple has also made a number of other small improvements to iOS in their latest beta which was released to developers tonight. Game Center returns to the beta releases with a brand new look (screenshot above). Game Center is Apple’s matchmaking and leaderboard social network for iOS games

Apple Releases First Beta of iOS 4.1 and iPhone SDK 4.1

Apple today released the first beta version of iOS 4.1 and the associated software development kit (SDK) to developers. There is no word yet on changes included in the updates. Many users have been waiting for a promised iOS software update to address signal strength display issues on the iPhone 4, but it is likely that Apple is planning to push out a smaller update specifically addressing issue rather than waiting for iOS 4.1 and all of the associated developer testing before releasing it

Microsoft Executive on Apple: ‘iPhone 4 Might Be Their Vista’

Computerworld reports that Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner today compared Apple’s iPhone to his company’s much-maligned Vista operating system, suggesting that Apple might be headed for a similar experience to that of Microsoft in terms of customer response and criticism. “It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I’m okay with that,” said Kevin Turner, Microsoft’s chief operating officer, in a keynote speech at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), which runs through Thursday in Washington, D.C. According to the report, Turner also took the opportunity to poke fun at the iPhone 4’s signal issues in promoting Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system

Page 2: iPad and iPhone in the Spotlight on Jimmy Fallon and at Oxegen 2010

Note: This is a Page 2 News Item Apple’s iOS devices are beginning to make their usefulness as musical instruments known, with a number of musicians adopting them for use on stage in increasingly prominent roles. Last night on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon , English New Wave band Squeeze performed one of its early UK hits, “Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)”, with keyboardist Stephen Large sharing time between his Roland VK-8 and an iPad, even going so far as to play a solo on the iPad. ( Thanks to DPA for the tip. ) Along the same vein from last weekend’s Oxegen music festival in Ireland, Greg French of The Brilliant Things kicked things off as the first band ever to play on the Vodafone stage at the festival by incorporating an iPhone solo into the group’s “Something to Say”

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