Just READ there is ***********2.0.2****** NEW UPDATE. Hope it fixes GPS

The best way is to just follow Apple's instructions. For the vast majority this will lead to happy iphoneage (new word?).

IMHO we are all learning about our sophisticated devices, and how we use the iphone will depend a great deal on our personal pattern of use. There are those who have 100 third party apps installed while some have non. Some have 50,000 contacts some have 7. Some email some don't. we will all have our own experiences.

Personally, I have everything switched off (wifi, 3g, gps, push etc) unless I need to use it. I delete any apps unless I intend to use them. (I have about 4 third party apps - all free). It saves the battery and keeps things simple for my little brain.

Apart from the sticking GPS thing (Which I can solve simply by switching off and on) I have had a very smooth ride. no need to restore and no problems. I've had the phone since day 5.

The fact that there doesn't seem to be much of a pattern for most of the problems in this thread says to me they are not universal problems. These problems seem mostly unique to the individual owners (frustrating non the less!) and not a major cause for concern for the vast majority.

I think your experiences with the PC just reflects the deeper issues that PCs seem to come with!

I don't have any gripes with my phone. I use pretty much all the facilities some of the time but mostly the phone is just in my pocket taking and receiving calls. I'm happy.

Lets not forget this forum is where folk come to talk about their problems - not their joys.

I am not sure I can answer your questions, I don't think anybody here can completely, although Thomas did a good job explaining most of them. The key is that it is not the same device once people start adding Apps, music, audio, movies, and adding/doing other things. That kind of changes the device. Even on a PC people have a problem with a particular update when others do not because they have some program installed that interacted with the update that the working PC did not.

I have read that you should not have airplane mode on when you do a restore or upgrade. Beyond that, I am not sure the other settings will have much of a difference, but maybe they do. The problem is we do not know, so therefore we do not know what would be the best way to set them.

The Omega

Shanesnh,

If all the devices had the exact same settings, connected to the exact same cell tower, on the exact same computer (and exact same settings/software on the computer) the update is run from, the exact same email accounts, the exact same usb ports, the exact same electricity from the wall, the exact same apps, etc. The results would all be the exact same. Apple does test with a myriad of possible configurations, but there is no way to test with every possible configuration.

The restore or update numeric errors are usually something to do with the computer, or software on the computer for example.

Difference in battery life often comes down to settings, apps loaded on the iPhone, and signal strength at your location.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

I agree. I've got 37 apps installed and am using Push email, Location Services, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and haven't suffered any problems (either battery degradation or crashing applications). I'm now running 2.0.2 (and have disabled 3G as it's really not needed most of the time.)

My AT&T contract clearly states that "Service is not available all the time in all locations." and that I accept it under these conditions. Don't forget that part of the extra $$ we pay each month is to help pay for the phone itself (since it's now subsidized by the carriers).

After further testing the phone on the road yesterday in Los Angeles it seemed to be improved with the update. There still seems to be a problem going from 3G to Edge but these seem to be in weak At&t areas. I was shocked to get very crappy coverage on the Sunset strip and throughout Hollywood. I'm from Los Angeles and I DEMAND good service. I want FULL coverage. EVERYWHERE. Ha!

When the 3G is working properly it is extremely fast so with the update I am feeling better about this phone now.

Nathan,

Yes I understand all that. But... Regardless of what runs on the platform... An update should not be affected. Reception and apps should not cause Person A to have terrible results and Person B to have good results. I mean look at the System Requirements. I have more than the system requirements. Sure these are "estimates" as you may say but... A simple bug fix update should not affect many people in completely different ways. The built in OS which is claimed to be "OS X" should be able to account for this and still apply the update in the same way. I am a PC User and don't use Macs often. I can do anything I need on a Mac though. If the iPhone runs OS X as well, why cant everyone install say the 2.0.2 update with the same results? Regardless of normal differences such as signal and number of apps. Think of your own Mac System! Not every Mac or PC has the same number of programs or same hardware. Do you understand what I am saying now? Its frustrating, as you know for different people to have different results from the same update.

--Shane

This update fixes NOTHING. I still have no 3g coverage at home or work even though these areas show full coverage on the AT&T maps. I am also still dropping call. The entire iPhone experience has been the worst retail/technical experience ever! Not only were customers forced to wait in line at the Apple stores to purchase and sign-up for service at the point of purchase, but as problems were reported, we were forced to call and make an appointment, to speak with a Genius no less, and wait some more. I was an owner of the first generation iPhone which was much easier to purchased and install at home. It also delivered as promised... not like the 3g iPhone.

In addition to the first gen iPhone, I own several iPods and a MacBook Pro. I am never going to purchase another Apple product again.

I am truly sorry to hear of both your experience and your decision. And I do wish that everyone who has purchased the iPhone 3G could have as great of an experience as I have had. Perhaps in time they will.

As for me, call it shear dumb luck, providence, whatever.... but I was forced to test the 3G reception in general in my area before I could even make the decision to purchase the iPhone 3G on July 11. My Verizon LG just up and died hard on June 20. I decided to test the waters and purchased a Samsung 730A. Based on that positive 3G experience (the improvement in call clarity and ability to hold calls has been nothing short of amazing), I took the plunge. Yes, there was some initial weirdness: lagging typing, sluggish apps, etc., but nothing major. The 2.0.1 update was a major one for me in terms of speed of apps and overall performance. The 2.0.2 has been rock solid as well, with a noticeable gain in 3G signal strength - backed up by improved test results. All in all, I'm very happy with my choice.

I wish you better luck on whatever replacement you decide on. But with all you have invested in Apple product now, my bet is that you will return once the dust has settled. I'm not saying that to anger you. It just seems logical.

I had to turn 3G off after upgrading to 2.0.2. 3G dropped several very important business calls. I cannot afford that kind of disruption. Before I turned it off the data speed was excrutiatingly slow.

I hate to say it but this just isn't really a 3G phone.

bought new '3G' iphone a week ago and i been plagued by the same reception issues and calls being dropped....new update did not fix my problem..hopefully this will be resolved soon or i will be forced to get a different phone

Well sadly i returned mine before the 30 days were up 😟 i couldn't take it anymore..

I will wait for the dust to settle and the iron to come out and do it's thing before i give it another go..

I might even wait for next years new launch...:-)

It locates you to within a few feet on your GPS!!! Where do you live in the UK? If you use your GPS inside your house, where I do not expect it to work, where does the GPS location default you to, or does it still find you within a couple of feet??? Newport Beach, CA every time for me!!!

The two major problems I've had with 3G on, and why I normally have 3G turned off, are calls dropping and the GPS not working.

With the 2.0.2 update the location button works for the first time ever under 3G.

HOWEVER, the first call I just tried to make under 3G dialed, rang and then failed.

I may have spoken too soon. Now the GPS doesn't work with 3G on. Switch 3g off and it locates me fine...