Apple’s new iPhones have run into some glitches as users complained that a new software update blocked their calls, while a widely circulated video showed the larger of the two new models is vulnerable to bending.
Late Wednesday, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) offered users a way to manually reverse the update provided earlier in the day. It involves connecting the phone to a Mac or Windows computer and downloading a file to restore the older software. Apple offered a Web page with instructions: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6487
Apple was responding to complaints from users of new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus – including wireless service loss – after loading the new Apple operating software system iOS 8.01 update, according to numerous media reports. Hours later, it pulled the update, dubbed iOS 8.0.1, after some people complained it rendered their phones unable to make calls and caused problems with a feature that lets people unlock their phones with their fingerprint.
TechCrunch, the Wall Street Journals’ re/code website and Mac Rumors all reported the problem as did CNBC on Wednesday afternoon.
“We have received reports of an issue with the iOS 8.0.1 update,” an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch.
“We are actively investigating these reports and will provide information as quickly as we can. In the meantime we have pulled back the iOS 8.0.1 update.”
Added CNBC: “The iOS 8.0.1 update is no longer available after multiple users earlier reported serious issues with the new version of the operating system, one that was expected to fix a glitch with the highly anticipated HealthKit apps.”
Fixes were made in the new operating system after the first release prevented some apps from being used such as HealthKit.
“Unfortunately, installing the iOS 8.0.1 update revealed that despite Apple’s promised fixes, it actually completely disables cellular service and Touch ID on many devices, though some iPhone 5s and older model owners report no issues,” TechCrunch reported. “The bottom line is that you should definitely NOT install this update, at least until an updated version appears, at which time we’ll let you know it’s safe to go ahead.”
Apple had begun distributing the update Wednesday morning to fix several issues in last week’s iOS 8 operating system for iPhones and iPads. Hours later, it pulled the update, dubbed iOS 8.0.1, after some people complained it rendered their phones unable to make calls and caused problems with a feature that lets people unlock their phones with their fingerprint.
Users are still able to the upgrade older phones to last week’s version of iOS 8, which Apple said has already been downloaded to nearly half of all iOS devices. Apple said it will release iOS 8.0.2 soon to address both last week’s glitches and the new ones.
Meanwhile, social media sites were buzzing Wednesday with reports that the aluminum shell of the iPhone 6 Plus is vulnerable to bending. Some Twitter users claimed their phones showed a slight curving at one end after several hours in a pants pocket. With a 5.5-inch screen, the iPhone 6 Plus is slightly longer and thinner than other iPhone models.
It’s not clear how widespread the complaints are. One YouTube video showed someone bending an iPhone 6 Plus by applying extended pressure with his hands — not from normal sitting.
Both the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus were given high ratings in a recent “breakability” test conducted by SquareTrade, a San Francisco firm that sells extended-protection plans for electronic devices. The test did not include bending.
SquareTrade Chief Marketing Officer Ty Shay said that after reports of bending circulated online, two staffers at his firm tried to bend a pair of 6 Plus phones. The male staffer was able to duplicate the results from the video, while the female staffer could not. He said the bent phone appeared to still function normally.
Shay said his firm then checked and found a small number of bent older-model iPhones had been reported in the past. “It does happen,” said Shay, “but it seems like for the most part it’s cosmetic damage.”
He suggested the bending is not a major issue. Referring to the iPhone 6 Plus, he added, “I think it’s still a very durable phone. But we’ll keep an eye on the claims.”
Apple did not comment on the reports of bending.
