So, you've gone and updated to that new "big fix"
firmware 2.1 -- but is the Kool Aid as delicious as you've been promised? On our end, we're certainly seeing noticeable improvements on lagging keyboards, app switching / opening (particularly with contacts and text messages), moving through menus / scrolling, application installation and iTunes syncing, but has Apple solved the
big issue? The software update page boasts of a "decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls," and while that might make you think you'll see the proverbial "more bars in more places" (and you probably do), it's likely related to another change in this update, namely, "improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display." We know that a lot of you are seeing apparent improvements in signal strength, but is that a matter of updated icons, or a reflection of some crazy voodoo Apple performed on the phone's radio? We're leaning towards the former, but we'd like to hear what you have to say. So what's the deal? Is the iPhone 3G seeing actual reception improvements, or is it just cosmetic? Let us know in the poll below.
Is firmware 2.1 actually boosting your signal?| Yes! I'm totally getting better reception. | 7730 (16.1%) |
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| Well, I've got more bars and less dropped calls, at least. | 5418 (11.3%) |
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| Seems about the same. | 9095 (18.9%) |
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| Uh, no. This is just as bad as it always was. | 3284 (6.8%) |
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| It's worse! | 2562 (5.3%) |
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| Where am I? | 19952 (41.5%) |
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posted September 12th 2008 1:22PM
Notice the "0" in between the "2" and the "2"
2.1 is greater than 2.0.2
The next update for 2.1 could be 2.1.1
I wonder how many people that voted for "It's worse!" actually have an iPhone, gave it enough time to test it or are just plain lying? (80%?)
I definitely see more and better coverage. I could not surf in my lower level apartment. Now I get 4-5 bars (opposed to 0-1). I am now getting 600kpbs/sec as opposed to having to use wifi in the house to do anything. I haven't tested as much outside, but I haven't had a "Call Failed" but one time (big improvement) and I believe it had to do with my bluetooth and phone being apart from each other.
All and all, it's definitely an improvement. To say perfect would be a lie, but as good as it's going to get until the next update, which IMO, it's a d@mn good update.
No-where in the feature list does it say Improved 3G signal. What is does say however is "improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display".
This doesn't mean that the 3G signal is strong, it just means that the strength indicator is more accurate. If you have a shitty signal, the indicator will give you more of an idea of how shitty, not make it better.
My house is in a poor cellphone location and no matter what handset I use, I always get dropped calls and poor signal strength. Since te iPhone 2.1 update (2G iphone), I get 4 out of 5 bars (was 1 before) but I get the same dropped calls as before hence my money is on the developers fiddling with the graphic but little more :(