Apple isn't saying much about the battery issues with the iPhone 4S, but Cupertino has finally broken its silence. On Wednesday, the company revealed that it has discovered an issue that is causing some customers running iOS 5 to experience battery life woes.
Based on Apple's statement, however, it seems the battery issues are not as widespread as the headlines are making them out to be.
"A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," the company said. "We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks."
That statement was the beginning and end of what Apple had to say on the matter. The iPhone maker did not offer any temporary workarounds for the issue, though forum posts indicate that some users have seen battery life improve by turning off a feature that adjusts to new time zones automatically and by limiting notifications from incoming e-mail and social-networking sites.
Too-Early Adopters?
Analysts aren't surprised that Apple stayed mum until it had a fix -- or that there are bugs in iOS5. Historically, Apple remains silent while it confirms an issue and develops a fix. When the fix is near-ready, Apple admits the problem and promises to resolve it.
"This is a brand new operating system. There are certainly going to be issues -- and in a small device like this most likely those issues are going to have some impact on the battery life," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at The Enderle Group. "It's part of the price you pay for wanting to be the first on any new device. You are the one who gets to discover all the wonderful new problems with it."
Indeed, hype around new Apple products is so great that consumers who aren't typically known as early adopters often rush out to be among the first to get their hands on the latest device. And that may be part of the problem. Traditional consumers aren't as tolerant of bugs as early adopters -- and it shows up in Apple forum complaints that turn into news stories.
A Post-Jobs Apple
But how does this reflect on Apple? The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs typically handled any major drama, but the charismatic figure is no longer available to take center stage. And in a post-Jobs Apple, people are going to connect any issues with his departure.
Enderle pointed to a number of recent issues, from the capacity problems with iCloud and the missed launch date of iTunes Match, to an earnings report that missed Wall Street's expectations and now the iPhone 4S battery issues. As Enderle sees it, some could be building a case that the post-Jobs Apple is nothing like the Jobs Apple.
"Perceptions are 100 percent reality and now that people know Steve's gone they are looking for the differences -- and surprise, surprise they are finding them," Enderle said.
"Undoubtedly some of these differences started a long time ago. But ongoing issues create an image of a weaker Apple, which I think will eventually be reflected in how the company is valued and how people think about the company. Apple needs to reassure people that the post-Jobs Apple can be as good as the Jobs Apple."
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