Apple releases fix for signal bar display

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Doubtless trying to prove Steve Jobs right in his analysis that the iPhone’s antenna problems are a software rather than a hardware issue, Apple has today released a slightly updated version of its iOS operating system before the firm’s press conference tomorrow.
The iOS 4.0.1 update lists just one fix, with Apple engineers noting it purportedly “Improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display.”
This means users will see more signal bars appearing in the top left corner of the screen, making it easier to tell whether or not one has reception, without squinting and hopping around on one leg waving the phone above one’s head.

The update may, however prove to be nothing more than a band aid, as many still believe the so called “death grip” problem is caused by hardware rather than software, with the phone’s metal antenna wrapping around the thin edge of the phone, externally. Indeed, Independent testing by antenna consultants at AntennaSys claims to have proved the handset’s issues are hardware rather than software based.
According to Bloomberg, Steve Jobs himself had been made aware of the hardware problem before the phone was even launched, with sources claiming Apple’s senior antenna expert and chief engineer Ruben Cabalerro had even written to the CEO a report about it.
Apparently Jobs decided to ignore Cabalerro’s concerns in order to make the iPhone phone lighter and thinner than its main competition.
So, does the update work, and will tomorrow’s press conference turn into a self serving ceremony of backpatting and “we told you so” from the Jobs mob?
“Installed iOS 4.0.1 – antenna issues solved,” writes one iPhone user, adding “luckily I haven’t had any issues at all (using the bumper, though).”
Meanwhile RCR has also installed the 4.0.1 update on an iPhone 4 in our position and was unable to reproduce the antenna issues either before or after the update.
“Apple’s antennas have always been weak, so it’s just the same as always if you ask me,” confirms another user.
Reassuring!