You are here: silicon.com > Networks > Mobile & Wireless

Mobile & Wireless

Apple issues iPhone 3G software update

But exactly which bugs is it fixing?

Tags: firmware, apple, iphone

By Natasha Lomas

Published: 19 August 2008 12:38 GMT

Apple has released an update for the firmware for its iPhone 3G but, in typical fashion, has refused to give details of 'OS 2.0.2' - beyond saying it incorporates "bug fixes".

However there's no shortage of blogs and press reports speculating the update is aimed at fixing problems with unreliable web reception and dropped calls on the iPhone 3G - also unconfirmed by Apple but widely reported in the blogosphere.

Last week BusinessWeek said industry sources had confirmed the problems are down to a chip inside the device, following a report by analyst Richard Windsor of Nomura Securities who earlier that week named a comms chip made by Infineon Technologies as the root cause of the issues - specifically software on the chip playing up when the iPhone needs to switch from faster to slower wireless networks.

A spokeswoman for Apple confirmed there has been an iPhone 3G OS update but could not give details of the bugs it fixes.

As with previous Apple firmware updates, OS 2.0.2 will be pushed out to iPhone owners via iTunes when they sync their devices.

In related news, Apple has made changes to its recently launched web services suite MobileMe, which has also encountered problems. The Mac maker has extended users' accounts by 60 days for free, on top of a free extension of 30 days it gave back in July.

MobileMe offers cloud-based storage which enables subscribers to synchronise email, calendars, contacts and more between Macs, the iPhone and iPod Touch - but users have reportedly had trouble accessing the site, accessing calendar and contact info, and have even lost email.

  1. Zones
  2. Management
  3. Networks
  4. Software
  5. IT Services
  6. Hardware
  1. Verticals
  2. Public Sector
  3. Financial Services
  4. Retail & Leisure

Read and write about internet access at the airports of the world at atlarge.com.

Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: Facebook saves teen from prison Another unexpected impact of social networking

Natasha Lomas Exclusive: Jimmy Wales on what's next for Wikipedia Why Wikipedia needs geeks and why a life unplugged is unthinkable


  • Jobs
iPhone/Mac Software Engineer

Experience Required: - A minimum of 2 years experience of software development for iPhone and/or Mac OS X using Cocoa and Objective C Understanding ...

Cisco IPT Support Engineer

System Abilities Call manager configuration and troubleshooting experience Professional Unity configuration and troubleshooting experience Basic SQL ...

Senior Symbian/Nokia S60 Engineer - S60 SDK

The Role: You will be working on a wide variety of Symbian OS based handsets in an agile and creative environment on a rich ...

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.





Quick Sitemap Links: