iOS 4.2 Delayed to 11/16, Possibly Longer

[Paul Daniel Ash]

Reports are coming in from multiple sources saying that the iOS 4.2 release has been pushed back to next Tuesday. The problem, which has already been spotted by a number of beta testers, is a bug preventing iPads from making stable WiFi connections. Though MacStories, among others, suggests that the bug may take up to two weeks to fix, one Greek blogger with a good track record of success pegs the release date as November 16.

The issue reportedly only affects iPads, though I've heard of one iPhone 4 user with the same complaint; my iPhone 3G actually works really well. Most commonly it manifests as [ame=http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1042331]a WiFi connection that's available very briefly[/ame] (one to three minutes) and then cuts out. For some users resetting Network Settings works to restore it, more commonly it requires multiple Settings resets (up to five times) to get WiFi working again. For some users, WiFi doesn't work at all and none of the workarounds are effective.

Reports developing through the week had iOS 4.2 dropping today, closely following the release of Mac OS X 10.6.5 earlier in the week. The two updates were thought to be synchronized to provide access to Mac shared printers through AirPrint, but Mac OS X support for AirPrint was pulled at the last minute. While some sources have iOS 4.2 on hold for as much as two weeks so that Apple can "vigorously" test the bug fix, iPhoneHellas blogger Vasilis Ananiadis - who accurately predicted the releases of iPhone OS 2.2 and iOS 4.0.1 - claims it will be released on Tuesday.

It's unclear why this bug emerged so late in the development cycle. It's possible that there's a conflict with some component - such as AirPrint - which uses the network stack, or that it's just a rare corner case that wasn't seen until iOS 4.2 went gold master and was more widely used. Whatever the reason, you can probably hold off on clicking the "Check for Updates" button today.

Source: MacRumors

[z3r01]

Nice, fix it before shipping it to me

[BeachLivin88]

Booo!

[JLick]

Ghey? Yes
Upsetting? Noep!

[vruls]

come on, release already i want an unlock for my iphone 4... yes i know all that pwnagetool stuff but yet, im waiting for 4.2

[JayWheelz]

I've been patiently waiting on 4.2 for my Ipad and this ish sucks. Get it together APPLE!!!!!

[Jay316]

I know the Dev Team never disappoints, but I've just received an iPhone 4 and it came with 4.1 and the newest base band, until an unlock is released, I just have an expensive iPod Touch. Please release the unlock before 4.2, I dont care if its Ultrasn0w or Limesn0w but I need it now

[LSZ33]

I was looking forward to the official 4.2 being released today. Looks like I might have to use the GM that's already floating around.

[vantheman169]

Lame but I am glad they are fixing it before releasing cuz I have a wifi only iPad and it would erk me to not be able to connectto wifi or mywi so fix it already!

[raceking777]

I hope this isn't true. I need my 4.1 unlocked!!!

[confucious]

I've seen the rumours that it would drop today but did anyone seriously believe them?
FW is released on Tuesdays. the 16th was always going to be the date, I'm really unsure how the rumour of today was started.

[_ASH_]

Please noooo!!!!

I need my iphone 4 4.1 unlocked... Please someone.. HELP!!! It's killing me not being able to use

[brbortscheller]

I've waited for this for a long time and now it's delayed. fudge muffin!

[CaptainChaos]

At least they are taking the time to polish it. Look at all of the issues with most of the past firmwares...measure twice, cut once.

[confucious]

Please noooo!!!!

I need my iphone 4 4.1 unlocked... Please someone.. HELP!!! It's killing me not being able to use

Why did you buy a phone that can't be unlocked?

[coolguy742]

thats too bad, I thought this was supposed to be the "golden master" beta of iOS 4.2

[ClerkDante]

Why is this considered a "delay" when the listing today as a release was never more then complete speculation to begin with?

Let's all get mad at Apple for missing a release date they never announced or even in the slightest way committed too!

[CaptainChaos]

Why did you buy a phone that can't be unlocked?

Because it is shiny. Oooooh-Ahhhh

[mr117]

What a bunch of whining. People who buy phones that won't work with their carriers, people complaining that Apple is dragging their feet on the release, people just complaining. I'm glad I wasn't your parent at Christmas time, how miserable you all must have been in the run-up to the 25th. And after you opened your presents.

Seriously, if Apple HAD released this OS as is, imagine the complaints from the same people: WiFi doesn't work!! Apple sucks for releasing this without test/fixing it!. This is "ghey!" (Where did THAT one come from?)

How about everyone just try to act like adults for a change, think before you post, consider what your words sound like to other, more sentient creatures? OK?

[wolverinemarky]

considering theres not really any major upgrade in this update its no big deal for it to be delayed for me. i dont need an unlock although i will take it so my phones worth a bit more when i go to sale it right before iphone5 or iphone4HD+. rather they fix it before release then release it and have millions upon millions of complaining