[DanIngold]

3G access on my iPhone has been no better, nor worse, than 3G access through my Option GT Max ExpressCard modem. Unless I put the modem into 3G-only mode, more often than not it connects to the EDGE network. This happens in LA, Chicago, and DC, all of which claim to have good 3G coverage. And in all these markets, 3G access is spotty even when it does work, often dying and requiring a disconnect/reconnect to re-establish service.
To me, this suggests some problem in AT&T's 3G network, rather than a problem with the iPhone, per se. (Or the common factor could be some chip both the Option GT and iPhone share, I suppose.) Has anyone else had similar experiences with non-iPhone 3G access on AT&T?

[DanIngold]

I wonder if the author actually has an iPhone? Are you comparing the iPhone to another, specific device, or to some Platonic ideal that has all these features? If you do have an iPhone, many of the missing features you list were never stated to be iPhone features (cut and paste, text forwarding, etc.), so you can hardly claim to have been duped into buying one. If you don't have an iPhone, how do you know whether these features are important to those of us who do?

Yes, better battery life would be nice. But other devices I've owned, including Motorola 3G phones and some Windows PPC units, were no better when used as heavily as my iPhone. In my opinion, most of the "missing features" you list are superfluous, and some of the "problems" (like 7 and 8) simply ficticious. Finally, I find the dropped call rate of the iPhone 3G to be somewhat better than previously-owned Motorola phones, and no worse than my first-generation iPhone.

[MrYmath]

This was the straw that broke the camel's back. In spite of the below acceptable network services provided by AT&T, and in spite of a problem-free iPhone, I returned it to the Apple store and canceled my service contract before the 30 day trial period expired. Frankly, I couldn't risk being locked into a contract for 2 years with only promises from both Apple and AT&T that things will get better. But more that these two, I need to thank all of the forum writers and magazine contributors who emphasized every problem and every fear associated with this problem. This negative infection caught me as well. The Apple rep actually told me that there will be a "network fix" announced by Apple within 4 weeks, and it was a shame that I was canceling before testing that out. As if Apple would fund the remainder of the service contract in case the fix needed fixing.

[egillish]

FYI, I don't have iPhone. After about 2 weeks of the 3G iPhone rollout. My calls drop like crazy now!!! My mom has the original iPhone and she drops calls too. Only thing is she holds the phone against her face and like a bar of soap. lol! I'm thinking AT&T might be the drop call issue. No clue how cell phone bandwidth works!!!!!! SO??????

[peetz]

Apple seems to be developing the Microsoft-ish habit of releasing software, and using the initial generation of users to beta-test the software. That was the case of Leopard 10.5. I know. I was one of them whose computer died upon installing Leopard on the launch day, and spending a couple of hours waiting for Apple Help Desk. In fact, the thing that saved me was some helpful advice from people on a MacWorld forum.
I am now well entrenched in the practice of never buying the first generation of an Apple device. Strange how that used to apply mostly to Microsoft. For example, no way would I get the new MacBook Pro's that are coming out next month, until the first lot of users have beta-tested it.
That's a sorry indictment on what Apple seems to be becoming.

[ebroadhurst]

Well, it's not just the 3G phones. I've had mine for almost a year and everything was great with 2.0 (except slow text input), but now that I have 2.0.2 and iTunes 7.7.1, I can't run any non-native apps (I don't call them "third-party" because even Apple's Remote app fails) and I have no iPod functions. iTunes says the phone has audio/video/podcasts, and the memory available on my phone matches what iTunes says. So, the media is there, but under the iPod app it says "no music." I actually have a brand-new 4 GB iPhone (one-week old) due to my old one having a wonky dock connector. But, even with a fresh, non-backup OS iPhone, nothing changed. Trying to get a copy of iTunes 7.7 since 7.7.1 seems to be the culprit (2.0.2 came out after my problems started). Don't want to wait for the September OS update to get: a) my fancy new 2.0 apps and b) my pedestrian old 1.1.4 iPod functionality.

So, if all you've got going on is no apps, enjoy your classic iPhone. And shed a tear for me! ;-)

EB

PS The phone still rocks! (Well, not musically...)

[dcolossus]

my 3g has been great, the only problem i experienced was sluggish typing in sms messages. thats it, great so far. I think 2.0.2 has fixed the slow typing. I live in a big city and hardly ever leave, so maybe thats why i haven't had any 3g problems.

[feefer]

FWIW, I don't have the 3G iPhone, but the first gen EDGE version.

SInce installing 2.0, I've encountered random freezes/crashes where the phone screen goes completely black during use, and refuses to do anything despite pushes to the 'home'and/or power button. When it finally does return to it's senses (after a few seconds of bricking), it kicks me out to the log-in (password-prompt) screen, and I can continue to use it. It's done this while using 2nd party apps, Mail, etc.

It's been the same thing since 2.0., 2.0.1, and 2.0.2, so no update has fixed this.

When I saw all those smug "Macs just work" ads, I had to laugh: I've been using Apple products long enough to know they're not much better than any other computer. Funny, as I haven't seen those ads running lately!

[jer2110]

Thought my new iPhone 3g was great, did not have one problem, until I downloaded 2.0.2. Now no applications work and I am constantly losing calls. WTF. I thought everyone else was over reacting, now I am taught a lesson.

[Peter4x4]

My iphone just starts playing music all by itself which is kinda bizarre, anyone else ever have this happen? This happens about 2-3 times per day and Apple had me do a restore which did not help then exchanged my phone and it still happens.

[merosen]

My phone is working fine. 3G works fine, I'm in Boston - no dropped calls- only real problems are the battery life and inconsistent mobileme performance. Re: battery, I carry a spare charger and usb cable in a small felt bag and move it between my courier and camera bags-Apple blew it by not specking a battery to handle, 3G, GPS, Wireless, Bluetooth and any other power hog feature. As far as mobileme, I pray every morning that i don't loose data.
Features that are missing 1, Copy and Paste. 2. no search capability in calendar and contacts - The Mac apps have it - why not the mobile apps.I really need to be able to search my calendar.
As far as people having problems I think Apple and AT&T really blew it.
they weren't ready (or expecting) for such a large rollout. As far as 3G problems, but has any carrier had to deal with such a large number of 3G users?
I blame both Apple and AT&T for bad planning and rescaling and expanding of there networks.

[compuphile]

It has to do with the iPhone 3G and quite possibly firmware 2.0.2 update.
I still have iphone 1st gen and no problems at all. I didn't notice this before updating firmware to 2.0.2.
Furthermore, it happens with lot of speakers, at home, work or studio where i have sheilded Genelec.
I notice this more when its actually connected to the speaker, pretty
abnormal actually. Its not a noise from the sound or connector but EM
emission.
I have tried tons of smart phone and i never noticed anything like that??

[ebroadhurst]

This has nothing to do with the iPhone itself. Most (all?) phones that use this frequency and/or GMS have this problem. There might be an exception with CDMA and/or other frequencies. I think someone told me that Verizon doesn't have this problem due to different frequencies/network. But a co-worker with a WinMob crapper phone has the same problem and he throws it across the room on occasion. Even my old Cingular/Sony Ericsson feature phone had this problem.

Hope that's helpful (even though it doesn't help the problem). Some links:

http://www.smartdevi...om/article/thatcrazygsm+buzz/199379_1.aspx

http://www.google.co...%20interference

Apparently "balance" cables help the situation.

EB

[sheilanolan]

In the UK O2 do say that 3G coverage is currently limited. That still doesn't explain the fact that my iphone can go from 5 bars to 1 when the phone doesn't even move. This makes me think it's the phone's fault rather than the service provider.