Apple's new iPad: Wi-Fi, LTE, charge time complaints surface

Apple

(CBS News) Apple's new iPad has been out for a week now and customer complaints are already stacking up.

Everything from the temperature to losing Wi-Fi connectivity is included in the list of woes from new iPad owners. Other issues include data plans drainage due to video streaming and longer charging times.

Hot or not?

The complaint that's gotten the most attention has been the Consumer Reports heat test, resulting in a 116 degree temperature. We reported yesterday that our sister site CNET ran their own heat tests yielding different results.

Apple's iPad hotter, but "heatgate" is overblown
CNET: New iPad's heat a non-issue

On average, the new iPad was running about five-degrees hotter than the iPad 2. The warmest temperature reading they recorded was 93 degrees, at the Apple logo, after running the video game Infinity Blade II at full brightness for 45 minutes.

Is there a solution for weak Wi-Fi?

Customers on Apple forums are alleging that the reception on the new iPad is poor. Some even charge that the original iPad and iPad 2 get better signals than the third-generation tablet. Others claim that the connection doesn't hold for more than a few minutes.

One of the fixes we've seen circulate comes from the site OS X Daily. The site suggests resetting the Wi-Fi connection by forgetting your current Wi-Fi connection then re-joining the network, as if for the first time.

Fortunately for customers, this is something Apple may be able to fix. When a similar issue occurred with the first iPad in 2010, Apple resolved the issue with a software update.

What about the battery charging issues?

Reports that the iPad battery takes longer to charge or continues to charge even after reaching the 100 percent mark have begun to surface.

"The new iPad's charger is the same as the charger for the iPad 2. I've noticed that the new iPad won't charge - or charges very, very slowly - if it is being used while plugged in," said Information Week blogger Eric Zeman.

Meanwhile, Ars Technica reports that the battery keeps charging even after the display shows 100 percent - citing a report by Dr. Raymond M. Soneira, creator of DisplayMate. The conclusion being that the battery may last longer than originally thought.

LTE a blessing and a curse

The Wall Street Journal reported several cases of customers burning through their data plans while streaming videos on the new iPad. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be something that Apple can fix. The price for data plans lies in the hands of service providers, like Verizon or AT&T.

While the issues are stacking up, it's only been a week since the new iPad has been available. Hopefully, Apple is listening and will release fixes for the issues that they can resolve.

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The evolution of Apple products

[PeterTMG]

The wifi range issue on the new iPad (3) is a real pain. I was really annoyed when I tried my new toy and this happened to me. A friend suggested trying the "Forget This Network" reset method, which used to work on the older models, but this didn't improve the wifi range at all. Right when I lost all hope, I came across WIRED magazine and found a review of Pong Research cases, After seeing the great feedback on their products, I bought one and it finally solve the <a href="http://www.pongresearch.com/new-ipad.html">new iPad 3 poor wifi range</a> . The back cover has a built-in antenna in between its layers, which redirects and boosts the signals and range, allowing me to getting connected from much further away.

[train99]

Anybody have a new Galaxy tablet? (Maybe called 10.1)?
Apple gets all the promo - news and TV photos of lineups like a new Star Wars) Why not Samsung? Because it's not American?
By the way, battery life and ease of charging is REAL important. Actually, that's one reason why I changed from a Windows laptop to a Mac one.

[werntrouble]

I've had my new iPad (actually, it's my wife's) for about 1 week. No complaints whatsoever. It doesn't run too hot even when watching Netflix where, by the way, the movie never stops playing so there is no issue with dropped wifi. I haven't tried any serious gaming, but, even if Consumer Reports were correct, 116 deg F is no big deal; my Macbook Air gets hotter than this. As for the other issues noted, duuuuhhh, if you run a movie or broadcast sports event using LTE it's gonna burn up your data plan -- movies are typically, 1.5 GB to download, so this should not be a surprise to anyone. Finally, what's the big deal with time-to-charge. First off, it probably does take longer, but I haven't noticed. I just charge it at night before I go to bed.

Bottom line: there's no significant issues with the new iPad, so maybe the press needs to shine their spotlight on something else.

[Rafterman11]

I agree. The battery meter probably needs a patch to be more accurate. And maybe the Wifi needs fixing, though I haven't seen any problems with it personally. But otherwise, its been a pretty good experience.

[freehuguenot]

I passed on the iPad 1 waiting for additional features. iPad 2 had most of those features and I got one - never had a problem or issue or anything negative - ok the rear camera was not as good as I would have liked but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed my iPad 2. When Apple announced the new iPad I wanted that one - my wife wanted my iPad so I gave her my iPad 2. The new iPad is everything Apple has promoted - no issues with heat or charging so far no issues with anything, and the rear camera is now very good. New iPad 64GB, WiFi and Verizon 4G LTE.

[freehuguenot]

By your statement you obviously prefer inferior products - if you even own any technology products - so I'm glad you have never owned an Apple product and probably so is Apple!

[gaerlic]

I guess you don't know the difference between propaganda and technology just because its Apple its a superior product? I own an Ipad, and quite frankly I find lacking, why should i keep using a product that is so locked down, when I can use a Tablet that is superior and allows me to use it how i need to, such as USB slots to put thumb drive in, expansion slots, FLASH, and much more... Keep thinking delusions with Apple...

[bobnjersey]

[While the issues are stacking up, it's only been a week since the new iPad has been available. ]
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whah whah whah ... my ipad isn't perfect ... it should be just like me.

i saw a flicker ... it's too slow ... it's too hot ... it's downloading too much ... it isn't white enough ... my gizmo is too shiny now.

what a pathetic bunch of whining cry babies we've all become.

if you want to be the first in with a piece of complex technology ... this is how it goes.

if you don't want any problems ... a no. 2 dixon and a yellow legal pad is the way to go.

[Rafterman11]

Don't forget the screens. They are too yellow. Now they aren't yellow enough. Now they are blue. LOL.

[mtownerman]

But damn that retina display sure is gorgeous. Maybe the millions that got one will think twice the next time the new (AND IMPROVED) Ipad will come out...what a racket Apple has! Think of all the money you're wasting for a novelty you DO NOT NEED!!!

[Jhihmoac]

Never got into the old iPad or any of the tablet clones...Still on a laptop...Guess I'm considered a cave-dweller :P

[Rafterman11]

I thought the same thing. Until I got one. Laptops are for producing things. Tablets are way better though at consumption - reading, watching, playing. Your children and mine will probably be using one soon as a textbook replacement.

[Scimajor]

"that the battery keeps charging even after the display shows 100 percent -"

That battery charge indicator on ANY device is innacurate unless the battery has recently been fully discharged. The charging circuit and the indicator on the screen are in no way communicating with each other. It's entirely possible for a phone/tablet to be 1/2 charged even though the indicator on the screen shows a full charge.