So is Jobs gonna say anything tonight at D8?

It may have been mentioned in this thread, and I'm sorry for not reading all of it to find out, but does anyone have any experience with improving phone signal?

I've lived in the same place for nine years and have been through several phones, all with AT&T as my carrier (beat). Decent reception, sometimes it would get choppy in my kitchen or bathroom areas.

Well with this iPhone I get absolutely no signal in either of those places, which isn't the end of the world I guess, but also certain other areas of my place where I've never had a problem, now people occasionally say I'm cutting out. It's extremely aggravating and reminds me of what someone told me when I got it: "an iPhone is great if you don't need a phone".

I downloaded "Mark the Spot", a free app which can send signal issues to AT&T. Someone who lives nearby recently got a response indicating a new cell tower is coming to the area, but I can't see how that will fix my particular issue, which seems phone-specific. Is there a benefit to making an appointment at the Apple store? Is the quality of hardware so variable that maybe I should consider asking for or getting a new phone?

Presumably some of this can be googled but I thought I'd ask here too. Thanks.

I've heard a few things that the iPhone's back casing inhibits reception. My mom has a friend who works for ATT corporate, and they've made improvements in the Chicago area. I've gone from not being able to get a signal ever to getting a inconsistent signal.

Supposedly, the new iphone has a different casing that is supposed to improve reception, but that is based on rumors... we should find out a lot in the next week.

Tuq, some of these may just be myths, but in the previous version of this thread and from stuff I've googled in the past, you can:

Try the AT&T store to make sure your phone is not defective. I doubt there is an issue with the phone though and is much more likely that AT&T just sucks. Couldn't hurt though.

Check AT&T coverage maps to see how the service is in your area, you can narrow this down pretty well, even by street it looks like:

http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/#?type=voice

AT&T could just suck more in your area, depending on what that shows. Perhaps that new tower in your area could help in that case.

Another way is to turn off 3G and I've actually had some success with this the few times I've tried it (just testing in my own bedroom), but meh, sample size.

Another way is power cycling, which is to connect your phone to a computer, and more importantly, restart the phone by holding down the power and home buttons. People have noted they get a temporary boost in signal. No clue personally though, but a lot of my friends say this works and it does work for other hardware devices, in general. Also, it seems the phone might get better reception in dock.

Thanks for the two responses. We'll see. I didn't even consider turning off 3G.

Coverage in my area is almost certainly irrelevant since I have 8+ years of success with other phones.

I'll probably just go by the AT&T store, which is nearby, to see what they have to say. There is also an Apple store close by, and I've heard that you can make appointments which seems kind of lol to me. It would be nice to just discover that it's a hardware issue and to get a new phone, although remarkably I have yet to deface this one badly enough to want a fresh start.

It may be lol, but you definitely want to make an appt. I've been in there when they're backlogged a couple hours.

I hate that I can sit in one spot and 1 second I have full 3G signal and then the next I have no signal or like 1 bar for EDGE..what would cause this if I'm sitting in 1 spot?

I am guessing you are in a 3G hotspot where a million people are accessing 3G (NY or LA?) and the system simply gets overloaded sometimes.

Had one today for my 2007 MacBook Pro.... got a new 2010 MacBook Pro at the end of it. Pretty sweet imo.

Fun tidbit of history:

really, wanna one too

Having AT&T as a carrier.

I use Rogers in Canada...probably just as bad

AT&T is announcing that from now on new customers will only be able to select from 2 Data Plans. 200MB for $15 or 2GB for $25. No more unlimited.

Will this affect those of us reupping for the iPhone HD?

If it does, I'm out to the HTC Evo.

eta: maybe not, i'd have to see how much data i use.

Yeah, I really doubt I'll use 2GB of data on a 3G connection. The overages won't be absurd either, the plan is cheaper and they'll let you know when you get close/go over.

We can keep our data plans apparently.

How can we find out how much data we use on avg?

Also, how do you find out when your upgrade/contract expiration date is? I signed up with ATT to get the 3G, so I know its coming up soon, but I'm not sure if I got pushed up so I can get the iPhone HD at launch.

You can look that up online somehow... my mom did it for me because I'm part of the family plan still.

Endgadget quoted ATT on something like 98% of people don't go over 2GB, and putting a cap on data usage doesn't seem ridiculous if you are going to allow tethering now.

I just checked mine on the phone. Settings -> General -> Usage. Gives Call minutes, lifetime and since last charge at the top, but it *seems* to give lifetime "Cellular Network Data" at the bottom. Doesn't say what time period it's using, but for me, I haven't reset the data ever, so I just have to remember how many months it's been since I got this phone.

For the second question, just call at&t...611 is what I'd do. Or an at&t store. They'll be able to pull up your contract and see the relevant dates. I'd call 611 first, since in my experience, they're the more knowledgeable, or at least consistently knowledgeable.

And I'd love to know a few more details--I'm around Wifi most of the time, so I could probably get by with the $15 plan. But I am intrigued by the tethering, so it'd be saving just $5 to put up with restrictions (and then having to pay for tethering...). Hopefully we can turn it off and on only when we need it...

I use around 100MB a month. Here's my usage chart for the last few months:



The 920MB was from when I was stuck in the airport all day w/o wifi so I was tethered and downloading games off steam.

I think the changes are good for almost everyone. $5/ cheaper for basically the same thing.

of course people who stream youtube all day on 3g will be pissed

also if you tether I think its a lot worse now

When do we find out the new versions release date?

They just announced you can keep the $30 for unlimited if you dont intend on using tethering. If you want tethering then no go.

Probably on the 7th

obsidian how do u get to the usage broken down for each month?