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Jobs: Fix for crashing iPhone apps bug en route

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

August 20, 2008, 6:01 PM

Apple is apparently set to release a fix for an issue which is locking some iPhone users out of their installed third-party applications.

Users have been complaining about the issues in Apple support forums since earlier this month. With the first post coming before the 2.0.1 update, its not unreasonable to believe some have been experiencing this problem nearly from the start.

The initial message posted August 2 by pmonahan complains of problems that became progressively worse. While reboots would initially solve the issue, later they were no longer sufficient remedies, and eventually no applications would work at all.

"I hate to say this, but I miss the old reliable and bug-free iPhone version 1.1.4," he wrote.

Replies to pmonahan's initial post complained of similar problems. "Same problem, Deleted and restored all apps. SAME PROBLEM," another wrote. "Apple has a pandemic starting and better get on the ball before this news gets out like the Blackberry server outages," another frustrated user warned.

Many users report that their applications will load briefly but then crash, taking them back to the home screen. Crashes are reportedly occurring with both newly downloaded and pre-existing software, and updating that software doesn't appear to be a solution either. Neither the 2.0.1 nor the 2.0.2 update has made the problem any better for users.

Some believe an issue with permissions may be causing the crashes. There's also speculation that users downloading applications directly to the phone could be more at risk than those who use the App Store.

A fix may be on the way, however. AppleInsider claimed on Tuesday that it had received a report from a reader claiming to have received a personal response from CEO Steve Jobs regarding the matter.

Such an e-mail is not all that out of the question: Jobs will from time to time answer feedback to the company, however, his responses are usually rather brief. In any case, according to the publication, he assured the person that Apple knew of the problems.

"This is a known iPhone bug that is being fixed in the next software update in September," Jobs reportedly said in the e-mail.

The iPhone's problems have given its competitors an opportunity to knock the blockbuster mobile device down a few pegs, so to speak. Verizon's corporate communications chief Jeffrey Nelson sent reporters a link to a blog post by Laptop Magazine reporter Mark Spoonauer, who laments what appears from his vantage point to be the iPhone 3G's ever-amounting problems.

"These days I'm feeling a little guilty. A little over a month ago I praised the iPhone 3G for its zippy data speeds in our full review," Spoonauer wrote. "Since then complaints have been piling up from iPhone 3G owners about spotty reception, seemingly random switching from 3G to EDGE data, and frustratingly sluggish Web surfing. What the hell is going on? Did we review a different device?"

Spoonauer added that the device does "feel different" than the one he initially reviewed, and even went as far as to suggest that potential iPhone 3G customers hold off on their purchases until the issues are resolved. The iPhone 3G had received the magazine's Editors' Choice Award.

Add a Comment (10 Comments)

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By ultimania

edited Sep 9, 2008 - 4:01 AM

so I bought the iPhone because eveyone bragged about the nifty device that can do everything. Signed up for a 3 year contract and paid a he'll lot of money for it. Although it looks cool and the interface could not be better then you can imagine, I regret to say functionality sucks! How could have apple gone wrong! My bill is over 100.00 per month but it is very frustrating to not be able to run apps you download from the Apple store! It's a bigger screw up then xbox360. So now you decide if it was a get rich scheme or did apple think "pfft, if micrsoft can get away with it, why can't we?". It gets worse when your on a data plan from sister company of the big rogers wireless and have to pay so much just for a data plan! Canadians be warned! Anyone who has this 'cool phone' regrets having it!

Score: 0

By templar™

posted Aug 21, 2008 - 11:01 AM

Apple is paying the price of their arrogance.

Score: 0

By sacaripasa

posted Aug 20, 2008 - 9:23 PM

"I hate to say this, but I miss the old reliable and bug-free iPhone version 1.1.4," he wrote.
as i have said and probably several others, that is what you get for rushing to buy first! Product that is rushed to shelf because of all the built up excitement. There needs to be MORE development/testing/BETA! time for all these "new tech's"

and even went as far as to suggest that potential iPhone 3G customers hold off on their purchases until the issues are resolved. HAHA! been saying that for a while too!

Score: 0

By Kkramar

edited Aug 20, 2008 - 7:58 PM

Here's the temporary fix for crashing 3rd party apps - I've found I need to do this after every sync, when my apps launch and quit.

Delete one of your small free 3rd party apps, download and install it from
the App store again. It has something to do with authorization from the store to launch apps. Once I've done this, all my apps launch correctly until next sync.

Score: 0

By timbevil

posted Aug 20, 2008 - 7:55 PM

"Many users report that their applications will load briefly but then crash, taking them back to the home screen." - count me in. That's my story and yes, I do miss my first generation iPhone, one which I sold foolishly when I go my plastic black 3G iPhone.

Score: 0

By ndeng

edited Aug 20, 2008 - 7:27 PM

I have the first iphone running the 2.0.2 and great, no game ever crashed. calls are much better, no more droping calls ( was like drop calls once a day or some areas ) but I do expecting iphone 3rd ( not 3G ) soon to come... with video function, better camera, most important of all! Unlocked !!! I'm ok with att but still wanted to be free of my iphone as my own property.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Aug 20, 2008 - 7:17 PM

It's kinda funny how apple software quality goes down with time, but Microsoft quality goes up. OK well Server side Microsoft software quality goes up. ;)

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Aug 20, 2008 - 7:51 PM

Office went up in my view.
With any luck, Windows 7 will too.

All designers and developers go through an up and down cycle where they're the best, and then they're not so hot any more.

The latter is happening to Apple at the moment, as it happened to Microsoft previously.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Aug 20, 2008 - 6:26 PM

"A fix may be on the way, however. AppleInsider claimed on Tuesday that it had received a report from a reader claiming to have received a personal response from CEO Steve Jobs regarding the matter."

Ohhh that sounds soooooo reliable.

//end sarcasm

Score: 0

By sandyfeet

edited Aug 20, 2008 - 10:45 PM

I had the crashing apps problem but the fix outlined above worked for me (over a week since anything has crashed) and I now love my original iPhone more than ever. The new apps have increased its functionality by leaps and bounds. Apple is taking bold steps and of course it will sometimes stumble but eventually everything works and you wonder how you ever got by without such a great and useful gadget.

Score: 0

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