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iPad Wi-Fi Issues to be Addressed in Software Update

kyleh613 said:
It only looks like a lot of people because you don't get anyone starting new threads or blog posts about how their ipad is working correctly. In reality it is only a small number of people.
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QFT

The vast majority of iPads are working properly. We're just not hearing about it because...well...they're working properly.
 
Every iPad I have touched has WiFi issues

I tried an iPad at Best Buy the day they came out and could not load Google Maps. I figured it was the Best Buy LAN but then the reports started. Bought a 3G and 20' from an Apple Airport Extreme, with the iPad sitting still on a bed the signal will go from 5 to 1 to 3 to 1 bar in a minutes time. After doing that a few times it stays on one bar and I am unable to use any internet. The 3G does not kick in because I have 1 bar. 3 Macs, 3 iPhones, and 1 iPod all have no issues. I took it back to the Apple Store and they swapped it saying they had heard of the issue but had few returns. The second one does the same thing and now has a hot pixel too. What I did notice was that if I go to the other side of the house, where I have an Airport Express extending the main WiFi, is that once it hands off to the Express it seems to keep 5 bars. The issues appear only when connected to the Extreme.
 
Two iPads here do it on every network I've tested. The airport logo disappears momentarily then "Connecting" flashes up and it reconnects.
 
AHDuke99 said:
A few users? I have 1 bar on WiFi right next to my router. Then it jumps from 5 bars to 1 when I walked around my house.
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I see something similar. The connectivity seems to remain good though, regardless of how many bars the display is showing.
 
Well, I found the wifi signal sometimes drops from full bar to one bar once in a while on the wifi model. It even happen on the 3G model as well, but not as frequently as the wifi iPad. When the wifi get cut off the "connecting" message appears and get me back online. It's not too frequent, but I would appreciate any stability fix from apple anytime.
 
I picked one up when I was in the States recently on business. The hotel wifi was pretty weak and i noticed the iPad had trouble hanging on to the signal in comparison to my MBP which managed to cling on to 2-3 bars.
At home however and at a nearby starbucks where the signal is strong it's been fine.
Vanilla
 
Razz said:
I tried an iPad at Best Buy the day they came out and could not load Google Maps. I figured it was the Best Buy LAN but then the reports started. Bought a 3G and 20' from an Apple Airport Extreme, with the iPad sitting still on a bed the signal will go from 5 to 1 to 3 to 1 bar in a minutes time. After doing that a few times it stays on one bar and I am unable to use any internet. The 3G does not kick in because I have 1 bar. 3 Macs, 3 iPhones, and 1 iPod all have no issues. I took it back to the Apple Store and they swapped it saying they had heard of the issue but had few returns. The second one does the same thing and now has a hot pixel too. What I did notice was that if I go to the other side of the house, where I have an Airport Express extending the main WiFi, is that once it hands off to the Express it seems to keep 5 bars. The issues appear only when connected to the Extreme.
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I think I see a pattern. Many of the people who are reporting problems are on a network that has been extended. You might try turning off your Airport Express and see if you get better results. It might be the iPad getting confused trying to hand off from one to the next.
 
Interesting that they didn't list turning off bluetooth as a solution. Here's why:

Every time I go to my evening History of Graphic Design class I bring along my Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and iPad to take notes. When I do, I turn on bluetooth (obviously) and don't have any issues with accessing the internet, though I don't browse the web much while in class. However, if I forget to turn off bluetooth and start to browse the web after dinner, I have WIFI disconnects and problems. Turning off bluetooth fixes the problem every time, and that is the only time I have this problem--after I had my bluetooth on connected to the keyboard.

I'm assuming that there might be a problem with the G part of the chipset conflicting with the bluetooth? I assume that they use wireless N at school for the increased speed / range, while at home I still have an old cheap Belkin router that has served me fine over the past few years. That would explain why I only have problems when I get home. But it doesn't explain much of what you guys are saying, having problems with the Apple Airports and such.
 
And then the new iPad hacks subforum gets flooded with, "I updated my software, but lost my JB :(" threads....

Can't wait for that ;)
 
alphaod said:
Good to know at least they are acknowledging there is an issue.
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Yes they do. I can respect this. These WiFi issues tells me that the 3G connection had more attention in development than WiFi.

When I read this article, my prediction that the posts here would be full of wines is true. IMO, Apple users are second only to Harley-Davidson of having customers that bitch the most.
 
I have the Airport Extreme router and I'm dancing between 1-3 bars and I'm just 1 room away.

Hopefully they won't just make the FULL bar WiFi icon static in the next update! It's like dealerships taking out the Check Engine bulb.
 
I can pick up a WiFi signal on my iPad at my girlfriend's apartment that neither of us can pick up on my MacBook, her PC laptop, or my iPhone. It also connects a lot faster to my schools network than does my iPhone and very slowly on my MacBook... so I've been pleased with the iPad performance - if this update helps, well then: awesome!
 
CFreymarc said:
Yes they do. I can respect this. These WiFi issues tells me that the 3G connection had more attention in development than WiFi.

When I read this article, my prediction that the posts here would be full of wines is true. IMO, Apple users are second only to Harley-Davidson of having customers that bitch the most.
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I just thought the 3G version doesn't drop signal as frequently as the wifi model is due to the black plastic strip on the top that provide better signal passthrough than the full aluminum back case on the wifi model.
 
I hate to be the one to point out the obvious here but it IS a gen1 Apple product and just like ALL the other gen1 products there are and will be issues.

For example my first iPhone 3G (came with 2.1.1OS) Constant Wifi issues and bluetooth dropping out, poor battery life etc etc

Replaced under Applecare for a newer 3G (3.0OS) No issues since.

Macbook Unibody (non pro) 5,1, The 4GB ram limit even though the 15" with the same chipset could handle 8GB with firmware upgrade. The not so good screen etc etc.

Its the risk you take on buying ANYTHING 1st gen.

If these issues persist in happening after an OS update or heaven forbid they get worse THEN and ONLY THEN do you have a reason to complain.

Mind you there will always be people that want the latest and greatest of anything and if it isnt perfect in every way they will complain no matter what.
 
Just to say - no issues with mine, it seems. I was expecting issues after reading this forum (almost delayed the purchase), but I'm happy I bought my iPad.
 
Maybe I'm one of the chosen because I never experienced any issue whatsoever about wifi problems... and I got Verizon FiOS in my house. WOOOHOOOO!:D
 
Not much help to those with problems, but no wifi issues here. Range is good (better than my iphone) and can easily stream movies via Airvideo. Connects to a Vigor 2820 router using WPA2 protocol.
 
CFreymarc said:
Yes they do. I can respect this. These WiFi issues tells me that the 3G connection had more attention in development than WiFi.

When I read this article, my prediction that the posts here would be full of wines is true. IMO, Apple users are second only to Harley-Davidson of having customers that bitch the most.
Click to expand...

So you're suggesting that anyone who complains about a product that doesn't work is somehow a whiner? That's ridiculous. Apple markets their products as technology solutions that 'just work'. When they turn out something that doesn't, surely it makes sense to complain? One of the iPad's core functions is as an access portal to online content- when the technology that allows it to fulfil this function doesn't work in a significant number of cases, that's a problem- this isn't whining about the lack of copy 'n paste on the iPhone, this is a key issue that could seriously impact on people's impressions of the device. It needs to be fixed pronto.

For my own part, I connect via a MiFi device, and I've had 2 main issues- the first is that when the iPad goes into 'standby', it disconnects the MiFi's wireless signal. I've not had this with my MBP or iPhone, nor do I have the faintest idea how this could happen but, randomly, this seems to have gone away since I switched on the iPad's bluetooth. Second issue is that it occasionally and for no apparent reason forgets my wifi key and I have to re-enter it. Both issues I can live with, but they've both taken a little bit of gloss off what is otherwise an awesome product, and left me wishing I'd just hung on for the 3G version. I can understand that people who have constant dropped connections must be even more frustrated.
 
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