![]() ![]() You see, the client is rarely the source of the problem in networking. Self healing in this context meaning that the networking system, Wi-Fi in particular, should try to correct problems that caused the network to fail, which, if you have spent any time trying to diagnose networking issues is a clear misunderstanding of the issues involved. I take confidentially seriously and most of it doesn’t really matter, but one particular directorial edict which I pushed back against at the end of my tenure sticks out as not just particularly telling, but deeply misguided: Much of what transpired while I was still working at Apple can’t be discussed. I’m happy to pay for this service, and the overage is not going to cost me anything, but for millions of cellular data customers this could easily led to doubling or tripling of their monthly bill. ![]() I have an unlimited plan with tethering so that I can be connected anywhere and don’t have to worry about data charges. Now, I’m a heavy user of the T-Mobile LTE network, almost certainly a 1% customer. Here I am, at home, connected to a Comcast Business Class cable connection, faithfully using my AirPort Extreme base station, because I enjoy the idea of a no-touch appliance for my internet access. ![]() Note that these number reflect the most recent billing cycle, and that I upgraded to an iPhone 6s on release day. Well, I’m just one user and I don’t have any good way of knowing just how widespread the issue is but here’s the cellular data usage of one app which I exclusively use at home when I’m connected to Wi-Fi (Video D/L Pro): But it didn’t have to happen this way, and it doesn’t have to continue. Balkanization, poor management and some uninformed decisions by executives contributed to the problem and as I’m all to human, my own limitations and personal struggles played a large part. This current situation makes it clear to me that there are still forces inside of Apple which prevent any kind of real, comprehensive solution from being implemented. It may have been possible to succeed, but the structure of the various teams working on Wi-Fi and networking at the time made it a seemingly insurmountable challenge. During my last few years I spent a lot of time working closely with AppleCare on customer Wi-Fi and networking issues: poring over user trouble reports, sitting down at call centers and listening in on calls, and generally doing everything I could to improve the user experience of Wi-Fi for Apple users. When I left Apple, just after my five year anniversary, I owned the Wi-Fi Utility and Network Utility apps, along with some assorted supporting components deep inside the OS. I worked on the Mac OS Wi-Fi client user experience at Apple from 2007–2012, implementing a number of features to help users identify when a Wi-Fi connection was not working as expected, as well as the utilities built into the OS to help debug problems when they occurred. The suit contends that the Wi-Fi Assist feature introduced in iOS 9 causes updated devices to improperly download content over an LTE connection when the user expects it to be using Wi-Fi. Apple Insider is reporting that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Apple in California, claiming damages from unexpected usage of metered data plans. ![]()
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