Here's what's going on:
Fewer (but taller) bars in more places
(Above image shows signal bars on iOS 4; lower image shows signal bars on iOS 4.1. Photo courtesy of Gizmodo.)
It didn't take long after the iPhone 4 launch for users to complain of signal loss and dropped calls when they covered the lower part of the iPhone 4 with their palm--a feature now known as the iPhone 4 death grip. Apple responded to the complaints by saying it was "stunned" to find out it had been using a formula for measuring cellular signal strength that was "totally wrong." The company promised a fix in iOS 4.1.
Developers got their first look on Wednesday at Apple's promised fix for the iPhone's signal reception display. The new display uses AT&T's recommended formula to measure signal strength, and Cupertino says the new display is more accurate. Apple has also made the first three reception bars taller so they will be easier to see. "The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone's bars will report it far more accurately," Apple said earlier this month.
Can you hear me now, Apple?
Scarlet letter for JB community?
However, it appears jailbreakers have nothing to worry about. Musclenerd, one of the master jailbreak specialists on the iPhone Dev Team says the rumors are false. "The "watermark" rumors are untrue," Musclenerd said late Wednesday.
The iOS 4.1 beta may also fix a proximity sensor issue that caused some people to accidentally hang up or press a phone key during a call, according to Gizmodo.
It's unclear when the official version of iOS 4.1will see its public release, but perhaps Apple will make an announcement during its iPhone 4 press conference on Friday.
Death Grip in action:
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