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First, there were reports that problems with a chip inside the phone were leading to poor data connections and dropped calls. Apple didn't comment--but at least one iPhone owner reported getting e-mail from Steve Jobs himself saying the issue was real, although not widespread, and a fix was in the works.
Yesterday, Apple distributed an iPhone software update--version 2.02--via iTunes, with a typically terse note that it fixed unspecified bugs. Some users who installed it report that their iPhone 3Gs now show more bars of reception than before, but it didn't seem to be the promised patch for the connection issues.
Except...now Apple spokesperson Jennifer Bowcock is saying that yesterday's update does "[improve] communication with 3G networks." I'm guessing, though, that it's a partial fix rather than a definitive one; given all the bad press that the iPhone 3G is getting for connection snags, you would think that Apple would tell the world if it had solved them.
Then again, it's not entirely clear why the company doesn't provide more detail on the software updates it releases in general; most folks wouldn't bother to wade through a lot of detail, but the geeks who want a full list of fixes really want a full list of fixes. And if Apple simply stated clearly what this new software does and doesn't do, I wouldn't be writing this blog post.
(Side note: I bought an iPhone 3G on the morning the phone was released. For weeks, I experienced few if any connection failures or dropped calls. Then reports of problems surfaced...and my phone started misbehaving. It's psychosomatic, I guess--and while I installed 2.02 yesterday, I haven't used the phone enough since to form an opinion of whether it's behaving better, although I could swear that Mobile Safari is now faster.)
The news about the possible iPhone 3G connection fix comes on a weird day in which other Apple developments included the company's stellar performance in a customer satisfaction survey--and new reports of iPod Nanos overheating and burning in Japan. Apple news can be happy or sad, but it's rarely boring.
Over at my Technologizer site, I've posted a story with more details and thoughts about Apple's run of good news and bad news, along with a poll you can use to share your take on things. Please drop by and visit--I'll be blogging here at Today @ PC World from time to time, but I'd also love to see you there...
