Q: Poor wifi reception on new iPad

My new ipad disconnects from wifi when I watch YouTube or download large files. Very annoying. I made a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb60gnpC9K4

So did I. No problems with IOS 5.1 that I can find.

Icefoxxxx, what wireless router are you using?

Motorola SBG900, modem and router in one, a decent unit.

If I were having all the trouble so many of you seem to be having (even trying multiple new iPad with no success), I would go by a new router, preferably one made by Apple, and see if that solves the problem.  If it doesn't, return the router.  It is certainly with a try.  Routers can be rather finicky little things. For years, I bought inexpensive name-brand routers and had lots of trouble with them.  I finally bought one from Apple - yes, more expensive - but it works and I'd rather pay a bit more and not have constant hassles.  I have a life and just want my tech stuff to work.

pic worth 1K words:

Note Airport Express in background - less than 6' away.

https://picasaweb.google.com/akasrp/LX5#5723674147008319090

I have Apple router and still have problem. I can make the wi-Fi session drop on demand just by putting my hand over bottom left corner in landscape mode. My iPad is fine as long as its not touched.

My iPad is doing the same thing, putting my hands on it makes my wifi drop down to 1 dot, I have to be next to the router for my wifi to work, I really like the iPad but this is getting old, I think i will take the iPad back to apple.

Btw I have an apple router.

Notice:

I'm one of the early posters, whose flagging of the iPad wifi issue was quoted in a few online stories. 

I returned my iPad 3 on Monday, after bringing it to the store and testing it with 2 other new 3's, alongside my iPad 2.  Reception was half for the 3's. 

I took a chance and went to the Grove today in LA, just taking a chance that maybe the batch had changed, or simply that I might get a functioning one.  I was dubious.

Lo and behold, the iPad 3 I bought is as fast as my 2.  I'm in my bedroom, two rooms way from the router and it's working properly. 

I didn't do anything to the router, didn't change any settings.  This one is just connecting properly. 

The one thing I did, as a suggestion from the apple care person online, is that I turned the wifi off on the iPad 2.  She had indicated that it might grab signal.  I did notice a difference when I shut the 2 off

Anyway, I'm hitting about 20 to 22 Mbps.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

As a former protester, I can for the moment attest that there are functioning 3's out there, and doesn't necessarily require a month's wait. 

Stay tuned.....

Good for you.  And yes, there are units out there without any issues.  Mine was and is perfect right out of the box.....

Ok some people have been giving me a bit of flak regarding the videos I posted earlier saying it must be just me or my router etc., well I was at an apple store today to figure out if they'd take care of me if this was indeed considered a design flaw (which it looks like it is), and the apple genius replicated the issue on a brand new ipad 3 and two demo units, in addition to one of my ipad 3's. Keep in mind, this is on their routers which are very likely very expensive cisco routers and not el cheapo consumer grade routers commonly found in houses...

I asked for something in writing saying that they'd replace it if this was later fixed and they gladly gave me a piece of paper saying they'd replace it with a new one, so at least they're going to take care of me it looks like. But this can't be just dumb luck, that's 2 demo units, and 4 new ipad's and they've ALL been affected. I haven't seen one unit that the "death grip" didn't completely cripple (keep in mind, at the apple store their wifi signal is very strong and with a very fast 20+mbps connection, but with the "death grip" the ipad completely lost connection)

Exactly!

I was testing around, too. The problem gets highlighted when using streaming services. Like in your video, Youtube stops streaming around 30 secs to 1 minute. With using a webradio app like TuneIn it's the same.

Safari starts loading a website and the blue progress bar stops after reaching www. for most time. Funny thing is: Atomic web browser (app) seems to load websites without problems. Facetime seems to work too without hickups.

As I have no Apple store around me to visit, it's about returning the device or not.

Additionally, my display has a yellow hue in the left corner when holding the iPad in landscape mode with the homebutton right (left keys of the keyboard look like the have yellowed right now).

I am annoyed not to hear anything from Apple (like, we are looking into this, going to release an update soon).

This is very disappointing. This the first Apple product I've tried since I played around with

an Apple IIC many moons ago. Was looking forward to the great display mainly for an ereader.

But this wifi thing kinda kills it. Mine works ok unless I hold it the wrong way (landscape). At

witch point the signal drops to near zero. Guess I gotta return it and hope I don't have to wait

another 30 years to try another one.

Ironically, given the tone of this discussion, wifi on my new iPad is much better than on may iPad 1. Maybe I should start a new thread complaining that Apple should recall and fix all iPad 1s?

Thatchcote, Just FYI but I own 3 current and up to date , Apple Airport Extremes, 2 at home and 1 at work. It made. It difference for my problem. I also tested with Belkin and Netgearr routers with same results. No axe to grind just thought I bring it up.