AppleInsider StaffThe software, labeled iOS 4.1 beta 2 build 8B509b, was made available in five distinct distributions, one each for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPod touch 3rd generation and iPod touch 2nd generation.
Most critically, the release is expected to include a fix for proximity sensor malfunctions on the iPhone 4. From the onset, users have found that the touchscreen on their iPhone 4 will sometimes activate while on a call, resulting in accidentally pressed buttons that can place a call on hold or even end it and dial a different number almost instantaneously.
During a press conference two weeks ago, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said the company is aware of problems with the proximity sensor on the iPhone 4 and added that his team was working on a software fix that is expected to be included in the next iOS update — presumably iOS 4.1.
The first beta of iOS 4.1, released to developers a couple of weeks ago, included a new version of the iPhone's modem firmware (02.07.01), the ability to add FaceTime numbers as phone favorites, a remodeled version of GameCenter, and cosmetic changes to the camera app that reposition the flash and camera swap buttons when handset it shifted to landscape mode.
Released in June, iOS 4.0 is already said to be powering half of all the iPhones currently in use by consumers worldwide.
Andrew Orr
Christine McKee
Sponsored Content
Wesley Hilliard
Amber Neely
39 Comments
About time.. the proximity issue is driving me nuts! Hopefully we will have this by friday for the non-devs!
Between the Prox Sensor, the antenna problems and some occasional overheating, I really felt like an iPhone beta tester for Apple, that's why I returned my phone a couple of weeks ago.
I hope they get this right so I can re-buy the thing, or I'll wait for the 4g(?).
Also hoping they improve the performance of iOS4 on the 3g with this latest build, since this is what's holding me over until they work the bugs out of iPhone 4.
jb
Does it improve performance on the 3G? Mine is almost unusable it's so slow. I frequently have safari hang on me for 20-30 seconds, apps frequently quit repeatedly when starting up (lack of memory I guess) and everything is just universally slow.
Between the Prox Sensor, the antenna problems and some occasional overheating, I really felt like an iPhone beta tester for Apple, that's why I returned my phone a couple of weeks ago.
I hope they get this right so I can re-buy the thing, or I'll wait for the 4g(?).
Also hoping they improve the performance of iOS4 on the 3g with this latest build, since this is what's holding me over until they work the bugs out of iPhone 4.
jb
i've read that 4.1 makes iphone 3g usable again. people also say if you restore your 3g and create a new profile then it wont be crippled to begin with. right now i have a 3g, and i'm eagerly awaiting iOS 4.1. i'm too lazy to fix it now on 4.0.1 by restore and setup as a new phone.
About time.. the proximity issue is driving me nuts! Hopefully we will have this by friday for the non-devs!
Are you crazy? A two-day beta feedback period?!?
Ain't gonna happen.