Add Bluetooth to the iPhone 4 list of woe

If the iPhone 4’s antenna flaw and proximity sensor bug weren’t enough, there’s another issue to add to the list of problems with the device: its Bluetooth performance.

I noticed that my new Jawbone Icon works terribly with my iPhone 4. With the Bluetooth headset in my ear and the i4 in my pocket (less than three feet apart) the devices constantly un-pair and re-pair. The heads plays a “sonar” sound effect each time it happens. This didn’t happen with my Jawbone Prime (the previous model), and both Jawbones work perfectly — almost 30 feet away — from my DroidX.

The iPhone 4 Bluetooth issue is more than just a few anecdotal reports, it appears to be more widespread. A number of people have reported issues, including users on Howard Forums and the Jawbone, Apple, MacRumors and EverythingiCafe forums. Everything points to a problem with the Bluetooth stack in iOS 4 on the iPhone 4 and hopefully this will be addressed in the forthcoming iOS 4 update.

Aliph, manufacturer of the Jawbone, acknowledged the issue to me in a statement:

We are aware of and concerned with the user frustration surrounding the issues affecting all Bluetooth devices (headsets, car kits, and speakers) connecting to the iPhone 4 and iOS4 updated phones. We know users have come to expect the freedom of hands-free and we are working night and day with our partners, Apple and AT&T, to resolve the issues as quickly as possible.

Apple hasn’t yet acknowledged the problem or provided a timeline for a fix.

I’m guessing that July 24 would be the drop-dead date for Apple to release iOS 4.0.1. Otherwise iPhone 4 customers may begin returning their phones en masse before Apple’s 30-day, no-fee return window closes.

Mine is going in to the Genius Bar today.

Source: ZDNet