iPhone SMS error bug won't go away
Apple still not getting the message?
Updated Some users of Apple's iPhone are still reporting problems sending SMS messages with no fix in sight, despite both Apple and O2 being aware of the issue for more than a month.
The problem comes with the upgrade to software version 2.2. Some users have reported it surfacing well after installing the upgrade, but once it manifests there seems no way to fix the error that pops up every time an SMS message is sent, despite reboots, resets and reconfigurations.
Given the lack of official support, sufferers have congregated on the Apple and O2 forums to swap ideas, with some reporting that a fix can be obtained by swapping SIMs, though not in every instance. Those contacting Apple are being told that a fix is in the works, while those speaking to O2 are just being told that this explains the problems they've been having with Visual Voicemail too.
We contacted both O2 and Apple, but neither company was interested in commenting on the problem.
SMS is, of course, less popular in the USA, so it's possible that a lack of focus on the functionality let a bug of this kind emerge - it's hard to imagine a Nokia handset failing to send SMS messages when so many European customers consider messaging more important than voice.
But this bug isn't affecting the majority of iPhone users, who are happily texting each other without any problems, and with a small sample size it becomes difficult to track down the exact circumstances that cause the bug to manifest - a necessary step towards fixing the problem.
What is harder to forgive is the lack of information from the companies involved, both to the afflicted users and the media covering the problem. It seems that Apple is just assuming that the minority of users afflicted will wait for a fix, or just disappear, while the problem gets no official recognition at all. ®
Update: it seems that while we were waiting for a response from Apple they went ahead and issued a fix: we've confirmed that firmware version 2.2.1 removes this particular bug, and while we'd love to claim that it was issued in response to our inquiry yesterday it seems that Apple do deserve credit for fixing this one - eventually.
COMMENTS
@ Alex Rose
You missed out Atari 400/800 with C64/Spectrum/BBC Model B
Seriously though, I agree. This rivalry is akin to championing football teams. You don't get these arguments with "My BMW 3 Series is better then your Mercedes C class" - people choose what suits them and live with it.
re: Yes, but what about all the other SMS/MMS problems with iPhone
- No forwarding of SMS
Jailbreak + bitesms
- No copy and paste
Jailbreak + Clippy
- No native MMS support at all; one app that has appeared is a kludgy workaround
Jailbreak + SwirlyMMS (okay it's £6 to buy after 2 week trial but....)
SMS issue fixed
The SMS problem has been fixed with the latest upgrade so whats all the fuss about?
Mark - who gives a $%£* that you are on Voda, they don't and can't sell iphone....
@various
Seriously people, if you don't like Apples products, that's fine. Don't buy them. I don't own any Apple products because I find that other manufacturers products suit my need better, but I don't waste mine and other people's time moaning about products I don't even use.
You're all just reminding me of the C64/Spectrum/BBC Model B and Amiga/Atari ST arguments of my childhood, either grow up or realise you're no longer children shouting "mine's better" in the fecking playground at school and lambasting people who choose something different to you.
You actually make me ashamed to be human!
@They took my ringtone away
Simple: because **you** chose to support Apple by buying/using products that regulate "your" digital media.
