iPhone 3G Slow Down After iOS 4 Upgrade? Here are Some Tips
As an iPhone 3GS user, I have upgraded to iOS 4 right after Apple announced the public release. So far, I am quite happy with the update. Multitasking, unified inbox, folders and spell check are some of my favorite features. Apple’s engineers also tweaked some of the UIs to improve the responsiveness. Perceptually, I think iOS 4 offers better performance over the previous OS.
However, it is another story for iPhone 3G users. Many users claimed that iOS 4 is not a crappy update. In the Apple’s technical support forum, you can find lengthy discussion (38 pages) about the performance issues of iPhone 3G after upgrading to iOS 4. Users complained the UI is less responsive. It takes 5 seconds to open SMS app. The iBook app runs so slow and even the unlock slider works slower than before. These are just some examples of the complaint. Someone has also posted a video demo on YouTube to show you the slow performance after the iOS upgrade.
Obviously, the difference in performance for iPhone 3G and 3GS is due to the different computing power. The iPhone 3G is riding on a 412MHz ARM 11 chip, while the processor of 3GS model runs at 600MHz. Added to that, the 3GS model has 128MB RAM more than its predecessor, that also contributes to the speedier performance.
The limited computing power of iPhone 3G, however, shouldn’t be an excuse for Apple to deliver a crappy OS for millions of existing 3G customers. Recently, as reported by Wall Street Journals, Apple finally takes action to investigate the series of complaints related to the performance issues. Probably, it may be addressed in the upcoming iOS release.
Some Recommendations Before Apple Offers the fix
If you are an iPhone 3G user, here are a few recommendations.
For those who are still running iPhone OS 3.1.3, keep using it. At the mean time, I do not recommend the upgrade. Just stay away from it until Apple releases iOS 4.1. Especially, don’t help your wife or girl friend to upgrade the 3G to iOS 4. Here is an interesting post from the Apple’s support forum:
I hear about os 4.0.1 coming up next week.
Hope they fix all the problems. Yesterday i upgrade my wife’s 3g and now she want to kill me.
On the other hand, if you have already upgraded to iOS 4, you may consider to downgrade it back to iPhone OS 3.1.3. Lifehacker offers a great downgrade guide that you may find useful. However, it’s not as straightforward as you think.
If downgrade is not an option, you can try out these fixes that possibly improves your iPhone 3G’s performance:
- Double hard-reset – Interestingly, some users reported that a double hard-reset can improve the performance. I do not have iPhone 3G to test out the solution but some claimed the solution works. If you have no idea how to hard-reset your iPhone, check out the instruction here.
- Disable Spotlight Search – According to an iPhone 3G user in ModMyi forum, you can simply turn off spotlight search to boost the performance on iOS 4. To disable spotlight search, go to Settings -> General -> Spotlight Search and deselect all items.
Please let us know if the solution works for you and stay tuned about any related update.
How to apply invisibleSHIELD full body to your iPad [Sponsored]
This time we’re looking at the invisibleSHIELD full body for iPad which offers both top-side glass and bottom-side aluminum film protection. If you worry just as much about scratches on the back of your precious iPad as you do the front, full body is something to consider.
This is how I installed it.
- Clean my iPad screen thoroughly (I use iKlenz)
- Apply the liquid to my fingers
- Peel off the screen film and apply liquid to the back
- Place the skin carefully on my iPad
- Squeegee out excess liquid, carefully blotting to keep it away from water sensors
- Press out any remaining bubbles
- Turn it over
- Repeat the same procedure but the curved back can be tricky so go slowly and restart if you have to.
I use a big squeegee for the initial pass, the supplied smaller one for the details. I also made sure to put my iPad on a non-slip mat first so I don’t have to chase it around the table. (Basically what I did for the iPhone screen protector how-to, a little more conservative than Dieter’s approach).
We’ll be testing the invisibleSHIELD full body for iPad out for durability in the very near future, as well as comparing it some other films on the market. If you have any tips for applying them, or any questions about them, let me know in comments.
If you want to pick up a invisibleSHIELD full body for iPad, check out the TiPb iPad accessory store.
How to apply invisibleSHIELD full body to your iPad [Sponsored] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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Standing in line for iPhone 4 international launch?
TiPb international, are you getting ready to stand in line for the iPhone 4? Apple’s set to launch in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland on July 30, which for some readers is only a few hours away…
Here’s what you need to know:
iPhone 4 will be available from Apple Retail Stores, carrier stores, and carrier resellers (from the big boxes to the franchises). We’ve heard some store are opening at the stroke of midnight, others at 7am, others only at regular hours. Be sure to check with the store you’re going to so you aren’t surprised. (If it’s in a mall, check what time the mall opens as well.)
Carrier plans, hardware upgrade pricing, and what-not is, as usual, sparse so be prepared for last minute announcements, customer service reps who haven’t yet been told about them, and carrier computer systems crashing often and hard. In other words, be prepared to be patient and persistent.
iPhone 4 requires a MicroSIM, so you might want to swing by your carrier early, get one, and have it activated on your line — if they’ll let you — now before things get hectic later.
Many countries will also have iPhone 4 available SIM-free and unlocked so if you’re willing to pay the ~$650 to ~$750 unsubsidized price you can just buy one and go. Given previous years where early upgrades were $100 off for a 1 year contract extension, it’s something to think about.
Let us know where you are and what the line’s like, and add your photos to our forum gallery, and if you’re already camping out — good night and good luck!
Standing in line for iPhone 4 international launch? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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Amazon’s new Kindle competes with iPad on price, focus
Amazon’s new Kindle comes in a smaller, darker package and they’re positioning it to compete with Apple’s iPad (which can also read Kindle books) on price ($139 for Wi-Fi $189 for 3G) and a laser-like focus on reading.
- All-New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen – 50% better contrast than any other e-reader
- Read in Bright Sunlight – No glare
- New and Improved Fonts – New crisper, darker fonts
- New Sleek Design – 21% smaller body while keeping the same 6″ size reading area
- 17% Lighter – Only 8.5 ounces, weighs less than a paperback
- Battery Life of Up to One Month – A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off
- Double the Storage – Up to 3,500 Books
- Built-In Wi-Fi – Shop and download books in less than 60 seconds
- 20% Faster Page Turns – Seamless reading
- Enhanced PDF Reader – With dictionary lookup, notes, and highlights
- New WebKit-Based Browser – Browse the web over Wi-Fi (experimental)
Much smarter than simply trying to re-brand it as KindlePad…
[Amazon]
Amazon’s new Kindle competes with iPad on price, focus is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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Apple announces new iTunes Connect features, iAd for developers
Apple’s newly renamed iOS Developer News feed has released two notes today, one on exciting new features in iTunes connect, and the other announcing iAd for Developers — a great way to promote apps, in apps.
iTunes connect is gaining the following:
- Using the new Version Release Control to choose when your new app version goes live on the App Store;
- Delivering binaries using Application Loader;
- New states for your app including Prepare for Upload, Pending Developer Release, and Processing for App Store;
- UI Enhancements that indicate when you can edit your app information;
- Game Center functionality for the setup of Achievements and Leaderboard Categories for sandbox testing purposes.
You’ll find the iTunes Connect Developer Guide available for download on the homepage of iTunes Connect.
And for developers who want to get a little more attention for their apps:
The new iAd for Developers program is a great way for you to advertise your own apps to millions of users across the iAd Network. When a user taps on an ad for your app, they can download it from the App Store without leaving the app they’re in.
It’s easy to get started. Learn more about how you can drive more customers to your app with iAd for Developers.
Any devs out there liking either or both of these updates?
Apple announces new iTunes Connect features, iAd for developers is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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