Apple: iOS Software Update Patch Ready for Alarm Bug

Apple is planning to patch a daylight savings bug in the alarm clock application on iPhones after numerous complaints from users whose alarms reportedly went off an hour early.

According to a report by ZDnet, the bug was first discovered last week, on Sunday morning, after daylight savings kicked in for New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.

The site contacted Apple to learn more. Apple Australia told them that a solution to the bug was ready.

"We're aware of this issue and already developed a fix which will be available to customers in an upcoming software update," Apple said.

The report explains that most iPhones automatically adjust to daylight savings and move an hour forward, unless the user sets it up manually.

A glitch in the iPhone's alarm clock application causes recurring weekday alarms to go off an hour earlier than the time set.

As a workaround, until Apple releases its Software Update containing the patch for this bug, users must set the alarm every night, or change the recurring alarm to one hour after the wake up time, ZDnet claims.

Apple, however, has several other issues to deal with in iOS, issues that are far more serious than any clock bug.

On the iPhone 4, Apple still seems to have an issue with the performance of the proximity sensor.

With the iPhone 3G, 3GS, and with some iPhone 4 units, battery drain seems to be a plaguing issue.

Fortunately, Apple has already confirmed that iOS 4.2 is coming in November. Granted, it’s still a 20-day wait (if Apple decides to have a November 1 rollout), but at least those affected by these issues can take comfort in knowing that Apple is trying to fix them.

iOS 4.2 also brings new features, most of which target the iPad. Those include:

- Multitasking
- Folders
- AirPlay wireless music, movie, and photo streaming
- AirPrint wireless printing
- Game Center for multiplayer and social gaming
- Unified and improved Mail inbox
- Search text within Safari
- Enhanced enterprise support
- Accessibility enhancements
- Keyboard and dictionary enhancements