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In tests performed by TiPb using the iOS 4.2 Gold Master release of Apple’s forthcoming mobile operating system, iPhone 3G performance has taken another positive step, one that may help customers forget some of the early issues with iOS 4 on iPhone 3G units.
Appeasing its older customers may have jumped up the priority list a bit after a California class action lawsuit was filed against Apple citing its alleged “unsavory, dishonest, and deceptive business practices” while launching iOS 4, an update many felt disabled their iPhone 3G this summer.
The video of the test is worth a look (more than 150,000 views have already been registered on YouTube). Though thousands filled forum boards and filed phone complaints with Apple, I was not one of them. I installed iOS 4 on my iPhone 3G on the first day this summer and never saw performance issues.
iOS 4.1 was released citing bugs concerning the iPhone 3G performance as specific targets and was Apple’s response to the outcry from iPhone 3G users. Despite many users claiming iOS 4.1 resolved their performance issues, the lawsuit was still filed. Now, if iOS 4.2 further improves performance, I think it would be difficult for a judge to issue any sort of reward to the suit.
It seems as though one might reasonably expect the evolution of technology to include software bugs and hardware mishaps. A legal precedent stating that software should perform perfectly could have misguided effects. The last thing innovation needs is to waste time, money, and resources in litigation.
iOS 4.2 is scheduled for release this month and will offer feature upgrades including AirPlay and AirPrint for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as Multitasking, Folders, Game Center, and other iOS enhancements for iPad.
I would be interested in hearing from any legal experts, wondering if Apple’s continued iPhone 3G performance upgrades in subsequent iOS releases would affect the outcome of the class action suit? Let me know in the comments!
