Help me help Apple debug iOS4 audio issues

[bmwhd]

All,

I've been working with Apple developer support on a suite of potential issues related to sounds (audio cues) that seem to be flaky in iOS4. These issues are noticed by me on my IP4 but may also be occurring on other devices running iOS4.

Here are some threads that have reported some of the issues I'm speaking of:



[url=https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/956356/[/url]

[url=https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/956099/[/url]

And there are several others.

The defect I have open with Apple is specific to another issue which may be related: Audio cues (lock sounds, keyboard clicks) just seem to go away and stop working from time to time regardless of the use (or not) of the vibrate switch. Once they go away, somethings it takes multiple reboots to get them back.

I have two working hypotheses I'd like help validating:

1) The problem comes from 3rd party apps that are using the new background audio capabilities in iOS4. Specifically, once an app such as Pandora or Wunderradio has been paused or placed in background mode, you may lose these audio cues. I'd like others to experiment with this specific scenario - Verify your lock sound is working, run some background audio app (Wunderradio seems particularly prone to causing this), pause it, exit via home button. Re-select the app from the app switch dock, exit again, etc. At any time do you lose the lock sound or keyboard clicks?

2) The OS is getting confused on the state of the vibrate switch. There are a number of scenarios here based on position of the physical switch and options selected in Settings. It seems to me that I've had cases where no background audio was involved (scenario 1 above) and still lost audio cues. I think this happens when you're changing the position of the physical switch often. Example. Switch in the up position (sound on) and everything is fine. Switch is moved down to vibrate mode and sounds go away as they should. Then put switch back up and you get no sound. Not just audio cues but sound from 3rd party apps too. Anyone else seeing this behavior?

Thanks.

 

[rittchard]

Bumping this thread to get more attention - I've also posted in the other 2 sound threads but I wanted to make this one more official.

Issue: Sound volume extremely low, and sound volume control does not seem to work ONLY for standard phone speaker (and voicemail playback)

Checked things that work fine: volume and control using speakerphone, volume and control using headphones, game audio, music audio, keyboard sounds, turn-on sounds, pretty much everything else I could think of

Tried but no improvement: reset all settings, reboot multiple times, plug in to wall

Problem occurred after using Mute switch in a movie and then flipping back to normal sound

 

[bmwhd]

Still working this with Apple. Of course they can't reproduce so I continue to look for a way to make it happen on a consistent basis.

What I've observed is pointing more and more to the software getting confused when you flip the vibrate switch back and forth during certain other actions (apps using audio for example).

 

[bmwhd]

Updated

Apple has acknowledged this defect as real and is working on a fix.

 

[rittchard]

Apple has acknowledged this defect as real and is working on a fix.

Any sense of whether this is a software glitch or something in hardware? I've tried pretty much everything now (including full software restore) and it's not going away. Debating on whether to take it in for repair or not.

 

[ebduda]

Brand new phoe bought yesterday.

Worked fine yesterday and then today just a very, very faint sound from the speakers even when volume turned all the way up. When I plug in ear phones, I can hear just fine through them. Talked to Apple support and the kid was worthless.

First Apple product and I am very disappointed, phone also seems to have the antenna fading issue as well. Just want to take back and get a new one but they have none in stock.

Did Apple get Quality control training from Toyota?

 

[reevo]

Mmmm, same here. Bit disappointing isn't it.

Been on silent since I got it. Flicked the switch yesterday after work and lots the sound altogether.

For information... I can get the sound coming out of the speaker momentarily but plugging in headphone and taking them out again. Just as they come out, the sounds comes on for a split second before dying again. This wasn't while listening to music but while trying to use the speaker for hands-free use by the way.

So, you think there'll be a software fix then? Good. Quickly I hope!

 

[goldtraderme]

Does it occur on iphone 3gs? i am having problems with its audio.

 

[WICK3D]

Yes it happens on the 3gs with iOS too.

Mostly when I end a Skype call the sound goes away (lock, unlock, playback)
I have to force quit skype and open it again for the sound to come up. Same happens with the Rdio app, but the Rdio app has a feature to change the device output (speaker/headphones) when I change the sound device the sound will come up again.

I hope this makes sense and also hope it gets fixed in the next release because is so annoying.

 

[davidpeele]

I have just started noticing this on my iPhone 4. It seems that sticher radio app does this to me. As I type this, the keyboard click sound randomly stop sounding thru the lower speaker and switch to the upper speaker that is used for calls.

The sticher app has a button next to the volume slider that brings up a "Audio Device" screen that allows me to select where the output goes.

Very weird.

 

[ronwil815]

iphone 4 people cant hear me

I've had my iPhone 4 for one week and it had been wiring fine until yesterday. Everytime I make or receive a call I can hear the person on the other end but they can' t hear me. I' m with " hello hello hello " then they just hang up on me. I restored it twice already and still the same. My Bluetooth worked well at first and now it dose the same thing. I'm at the point where I have to use my headphones in order to talk with others whe using my iPhone 4. Can someone please tell if the is a software issue or hardware problem ?