Apple iPhone 3G S trouble roundup
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 3:29AM
To that end, here's what we're tracking on the 3G S from the first three full days of sales:
- Apple is awarding $30 iTunes store credits to individuals affected by lengthy activation times on their new phones. Regular activations shouldn't take more than an hour or two (ours were basically instantaneous) and ports from other carriers should take a maximum of 48 hours, but some unlucky individuals are still waiting to come online. We probably would've destroyed the phone with a hammer or a direct impact with a wall by now, so our respect goes out to those of you who are still waiting and haven't destroyed anything of value.
- It seems that some users are getting the error message pictured above when attempting to hack tethering support onto their AT&T iPhones using mobile config files available online, though repeatedly deleting and re-adding the configuration seems to help in some cases. Of course, AT&T isn't supporting tethering on the phone at this point anyway, so we wouldn't expect a shoulder to cry on if you call in to customer service with this one.
- Boy Genius Report is reporting that sounds played by the phone are immediately followed by some sort of extremely high-frequency tone -- the kind little kids and the next door neighbor's dogs hear, but you may not.
[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
iDavey @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:41AM
So lets review:
10. This is your PERSONAL preference. Something you want it to do. It's not a "problem" because it's working how they set it up to be. Duh.
15. That could be your own headset, not the phone.
16. Then why mention it as a problem, just to add volume to your list? If it's meant to do it (as many other phones do) how on Earth is it a "problem"
23. I don't get this one...how can a phone freeze if the battery is dead?? Wouldn't the phone need to be on in order to freeze...
32. Animated gifs are flash enabled. No phone has flash. Once again...not a "problem", just something that is not able to be performed on any phone at the moment. Once again...duh.
36. Another personal preference....
41. I haven't seen too many phones that allow that to be handled correctly on a mobile device...
42. Another odd one for me. How can your pants cause the screen to skip tracks...when capacitive requires a human touch. =\
53. Once again, personal preference...not a problem
57. That seems more on the Honda side than it does Pre side. Seeing as you can handle your calls perfectly with normal bluetooth.
The rest do seem like somewhat legitimate problems.
DR House @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:32AM
AT & T Fail like always
Thunda Chunky @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:33AM
Care to elaborate further? AT&T is just fine for me. 3G and all.
DR House @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:38AM
* AT&T isn't supporting tethering on the phone at this point anyway
How about they give us the option to use it for a start? if you get an iphone you are stuck with this limitation
They should allow it and keep the DATA limit that they always had, some people prefer to browse with there netbooks for example once in a while when there is no hot spot close available, i don't like there control over us
No MMS no 7.2Mbps no Tethering etc in 2009 and you want me to explain really?
DR House @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:39AM
* Their !
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:06AM
From what I've read on these internets, it really seems like AT&T is the worst possible mobile phone provider ever. It seems crazy that such a company would have iPhone exclusivity.
d889 @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:10AM
and people never complain about when the phone needs to be connected to wifi to do all that is advertised ....... at a decent speed...
Cy Starkman @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:12AM
Exactly Dr. House.
I suppose though, the USA mob should be grateful (/s) since Apple probably should not have released the 3G in the USA until this year considering AT&T's poor network roll out as for the 3GS sounds like it shouldn't be in the USA till late 2010.
I'm not interested in the 3GS but at least I could get 7.2Mbit if I did buy it.
On the 3G MMS works really sweet and Tethering is faster than I'd expected (Australia). If anyone cares, be aware that photos taken direct to the messaging client don't appear in the Photos folder. So if you want that photo later, take it then select it from the messaging client. Sending web snippets via MMS works very nicely.
A strange feature is that when you SMS and MMS you can select an email address now.
Jay @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:14AM
@Dr House
Browsing on a netbook/laptop will consume a lot more bandwidth and they don't think their network is up for it. You can agree or disagree, but honestly, I think they know more about it than you.
Unfortunately we are all controlled by reality.
"No MMS no 7.2Mbps no Tethering etc in 2009 and you want me to explain really?"
I don't think anyone has asked you to explain really. The google define function does a pretty good job:
------------------------------------------------------------------
define: really
# truly: in accordance with truth or fact or reality; "she was now truly American"; "a genuinely open society"; "they don't really listen to us"
# actually: in actual fact; "to be nominally but not actually independent"; "no one actually saw the shark"; "large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt"
# in truth: in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers); "in truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire"; "really, you shouldn't have done it"; "a truly awful book"
# very: used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal; "she was very gifted"; "he played very well"; "a really enjoyable evening"; "I'm real sorry about it"; "a rattling good yarn"
------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillip @ Jun 22nd 2009 5:15AM
Anyone heard if there is some good app or solution for Gmail? I want threaded messeges so the iPhone mail client is a no go, and I want to know when I recieve mail so the online version is also a no go. With push notification there should be an obvious wake up call to Google, no?
derX @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:07AM
DR House, really? Was that first line in your reply to Jay really needed?
Also, regarding the tethering issue, if AT&T's network cannot currently handle the presumed massive amount of data that would result from enabling tethering on the iPhone, they why would they enable it?
One of your arguments is that they should keep in place their 5GB soft cap (to my knowledge) which does make some sense. I would assume they've calculated their network can handle at maximum under some presumed worst-case scenario, I'd imagine, 5GB per user. It would perfectly reasonable to allow a user to consume his or her 5GB a month in the manner of his choosing, i.e., mobile web or tethering.
The only slight issue I have with this is your foundation which you mention. "They have a bandwidth limit 5GB for the iphone which people PAYED for they should have the freedom to use it as they please" The problem I have with this is the use of the 5GB is stated in the contract, to my knowledge. This 5GB is mobile data usage--not tethering as it is not currently supported. Saying that customers should be able to use their data, as it's been generalized, in any manner of their choosing is like saying they should be allowed to use their minutes in any manner of their choosing. But they cannot. "Minutes" as they're often generalized, are subcategorized as being domestic, M2M, international long distance, etc...
You say, "i don't like there control over us" but you signed the contract. The same contract where you both agree on how minutes and data can be used. You've paid for 5GB of mobile data and AT&T isn't stopping anyone from using them.
In regard to the MMS issue, AT&T has to manually update iPhone accounts to allow them to MMS. Do I agree in your saying in 2009 it is ridiculous that a phone like the iPhone is being sold without the immediate ability to send a MMS? Completely. I will even go as far as to say the original iPhone should have had that ability out of the box.
(I'm sure this post is full of typos, grammatical errors, and the general WTF DID HE JUST WRITE types of errors. My bad, in advance.)
DR House @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:17AM
Derx yes that first comment was needed if your name is JAY you have no rights to play smart ass
AT & T can do whatever they want but there is other networks that allows tethering and that's why i was saying AT & T Fail
Why should they care if i use my 5GB with my phone or my PC? i payed for it but they want you to buy another plan for your netbook 3G
Its ridiculous and so Gay
derX @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:08AM
Why should they care if you use 5GB a month with your phone or your PC?
What happens when people go over? It is pretty hard to approach 5GB in a month on a phone nonetheless go over it. On a PC, however, it is not only fairly easy but likely. Then what should AT&T do when customers complain that they did not know they went over by a a gig?
AT&T gets bad press and they're forced to capitulate. They forgive the overage no matter how large. Now, with a phone as popular as the iPhone and with tethering made easy with a 5GB cap in place A LOT more people would go over. What happens to AT&T's bottom line then?
The goal of a company is to make money. AT&T has never said it will never support tethering on the iPhone and there is no evidence to support they would not allow it. In fact, with their allowing the iPhone 3G customers to upgrade at new customer's prices and their eventual enabling of MMS, there is a high likelihood that they will support tethering.
And with a name as unoriginal as DR House, I'll cool it on the smart ass front, as well.
You'll likely respond with a somewhat coherent response just to add in some more GAY to your commentary. I will not take the bait. I am, however, stunned by your precociousness. I do believe you are the first toddler to post on Engadget. Good for you.
Jonathan @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:24AM
@d889
browsing is a very decent speed on the 3GS over 3G, and I'm coming from Sprint who has great 3G.
But then again, I'm speaking truth in favor of the iPhone in Engadget comments where it's the coolest place to hate iPhone, so you already knew this, and I will probably be low ranked.
DR House @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:57AM
Derex this is not name originality contest and if you care about such things god help you, i like the name nothing else nothing more
And are you saying that in 2009 that they cant send a message to the users who pass the 5gb to stop downloading or they will cut there connection? just wow
why should i pay for other idiots mistakes like you for example
logicbomb.de @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:55PM
sure AT&T isn't all that hot compared to Verizon and the like, but really, what's the alternative? T-Mobile??
Or maybe Apple should have gone CDMA, but then that would either limit them to USA only or force them to build two different models of handsets.
GSM is the only way to go (right now) if you want to build a device with world wide compatibily.
Sean @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:05PM
DR House, to your comment, "why should i pay for other idiots mistakes like you for example."
Not to be rude, but it seems like you misunderstand how our society runs; this does not just happen to cell phone companies. At the end of the day AT&T is trying to give better service to their customers, regardless of what you believe. Tethering and MMS both transmit high quantities of data over a short period of time. As such, the company in question must update their servers and network to properly respond to the high influx data soon to be transmitted. I would much prefer a later start to both services rather than a swifter but poorly implemented service. To each their own I suppose.
pixelraiders @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:58PM
at&t 3g tethering works just fine with my Xperia :-D. wtg apple.
ldye @ Jun 26th 2009 10:35PM
So you're saying it's gay that ATT is not supporting tethering at this point in time? Like it's not really homosexual, I know many gay people who tether. And ATT is going to support tethering eventually. They also have the fastest 3G network in the United States, which is not saying much because Rogers in Canada has had 7.2 Mbps for the better part of 2009 and hopes to roll out LTE before 2010. Nevertheless, on the subject of MMS's. Who uses them? The only people who MMS anything are people who don't have Data and Email plans. If you have emails you can just send attachments, and a lot higher quality. MMS's are restricted to certain resolutions.
dergaderg @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:35AM
it still works for me
Shenanigans @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:18AM
Same here- no issues. Picked mine up Sunday. Activated in store and was receiving messages before I got back to my car. No issues whatsoever.
Even pulled down 2200kbps on 3G just outside of Chicago.
Couldn't be happier!
droopy1592 @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:39AM
I spent a lot of time fussing at AT&T and Fedex so I could get my phone on time, spent plenty of time setting things up to be perfect, pick my favorite songs and adding video since i had more storage space, only to find out the phone that I waited all of that time for had a bad earpiece.
Then sat in the apple store for 2.5 hours to get a replacement.
At least I have a working phone now.
luis @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:40AM
My Iphone 3G S just broke. i didnt try to hack it or anything. but the left side of the phone doesnt work anymore. Im going to try and get a new one from apple tomorrow. anyone have the same problem?
David @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:07AM
Left side of the screen? Or the physical buttons? Is the hold switch on...
DJFriar @ Jun 22nd 2009 5:06AM
I've seen a few reports of this around the net actually, same side too. Just take it back and you'll get a new one, no problem.
Saad Rabia @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:47AM
My friend's iPhone 3G S has turned into a coke can and started spontaneously spreading jam all over his room!
Any one has the same problem?
pmcb @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:02AM
Mine was more a light syrup than a jam. The "Geniuses" in the Apple store said it might have something to do with a faulty flux inhibitor, but they have no idea what they're talking about.
superhobo @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:03AM
My friend can't get the oleophobic 3GS near his head because he oils his hair.
iDavey @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:10AM
@superhobo +1
William @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:50AM
Well, it just crashed my iTunes while trying to sync, on the first day it wouldn't accept that my laptop (a MacBook, ironically) is something that can give it power, and if I leave my phone on too long it doesn't connect to the internet anymore and requires a restart. Also a few minor problems with the compass and its calibration.
Otherwise I love it :D
HRANT @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:54AM
Did anyone notice that everything is super slow with iphoneOS 3.0 on the 3G model? I am dealing with weak wifi, dropped calls, response lag, etc since I updated it... Seriously thinking of downgrading to 2.2.
Do you share similar findings, or is it just my phone?
Cy Starkman @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:18AM
Not like that I haven't
But the messaging client is slower to load and some other things are too. Some things are quicker. Nothing is as slow as contacts were in 2.0 thank gawd.
I can feel a point release coming. All in all Apple has lifted its game with 3.0 versus the 2.0 release. 3.0 is smaller and does more, always a good sign and the upgrade process is now at acceptable speeds.
Vancity @ Jun 22nd 2009 7:17AM
Same thing on my 1st gen. OS 3.0 is very sluggish...not as bad as 2.0, but noticeable. Most likey a ploy to het us to upgrade!
iDavey @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:13AM
@Vancity
Yes...I to believe that is what they do. Have you download the OS, only to make your phone go slower while..oh, look. We just pushed out a new phone that goes 2x faster. If your phone is getting "old" and slowing down...go buy the new phone! =o
Those diabolical geniuses....
Randy @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:33AM
Nope. Actually, it's the opposite for me. My 3G feels a little snappier now when loading & doing things in my apps (there's still that lag when bringing up the keyboard in notes). The Network speeds are still the same (I use the Dslreports speed test app.)
G Tom @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:16PM
I'm in the same boat as you, Randy. My 1st-gen iPhone actually feels noticeably faster with FW3.0 now. Of course, I had to wipe all settings, restore to factory conditions, and sync up from scratch to get it to finally work...
Abcmsaj @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:51AM
When I press the lock button on my 3G S, I get lag of 2 seconds between the screen going black and the sound to say it's locked - Is this normal on previous generations?
Brian @ Jun 22nd 2009 5:13AM
Yes mine does this all the time.
Martin @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:02AM
Whoa I totally forgot that it makes that sound when locking by default. I turned that off as the first order of business. But in testing it, yes there is a lag. Even more reason to turn it off.
snworf @ Jun 27th 2009 1:39AM
That usually happens if you drop it -- mine is instantaneous
Mike @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:52AM
My iPhone 3GS has a "hairline crack" near the SIM slot. I thought they would have fixed this after so many iPhone 3G phones had this issue a year ago.
eel @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:47AM
has anyone tried http://wan.to/iphone to add tethering on the 3gS or is it locked?
its catching the ipcc load onto the iphone as it comes down off apples server and then you change the settings
then plug the phone in and let it sync with the "modified" ipcc.
not sure how that works on the 3Gs, but would be interested to know.
BiggusDorkus @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:57AM
My only problem so far is that I haven't received it yet... but I just ordered Friday with the 35% discount from bing.com! XD
logicbomb.de @ Jun 22nd 2009 1:23PM
You got a sweet discount on an Apple product by using Microsoft site?
Priceless!!!!!!!
Rob @ Jun 22nd 2009 2:25PM
@logicbomb
maybe that's why he hasn't received it
seannjohnn @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:05AM
Yea APPLE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH PUSH http://appadvice.com/appnn/ they got the apology letter posted
seannjohnn @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:10AM
its not exactly a copy but they describe what was said my bad
Luna @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:06AM
Battery drained out of no where, I guess I was using an app maybe the MLB one and I locked it without closing the app next thing u know my phone is dead after a while in my pocket, ohh it had a full charge, it never happened on my edge iPhone that I know of, but who knows
pmcb @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:07AM
My only real issue is battery life, but that's because I'm messing with the phone constantly. I've been pleasantly surprised by the voice control, too, once I learned exactly what it wanted me to say, at least. I wish they released a list of supported commands and such, as it took me forever to figure out you had to say "play songs by [artist]" instead of just "play [artist]".
David @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:10AM
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=726016
Hi, google... 15seconds... thanks.