iPhone users are reporting major software and hardware issues just a week after the release of iOS 8, the iPhone 6, and the iPhone 6 Plus. Apple Inc. pushed out its first iOS 8 software update on Wednesday, but some users who upgraded are regretting it. iOS 8.0.1 was supposed to fix several minor bugs, yet it did quite the opposite. Once updated, phones no longer had cell reception. The update broke the iPhone’s security feature, Touch ID, as well.

Apple has since removed the phone-disabling update, but for those who had already received it, the damage was done. Apple is investigating the issue, but until it releases a new update, users who were affected can reinstall the original iOS 8 to get back up and running.

This is a serious problem, coming from the company that claims it will enable their users to leave their wallets at home. The iPhone’s contactless payment system, Apple Pay, is dependent on Touch ID. When Touch ID goes down, Apple Pay goes with it. If users had already made the transition to an iPhone-centric life without a wallet, this update would have left them without access to their money.

iPhone 6 hardware has users bent out of shape

The hardware issue that has many users bent out of shape, pardon the pun, only affects the iPhone 6 Plus. The ultra slim aluminum body appears to warp, with what most people would consider to be normal usage. When not in use, where do you keep your phone? If you don’t carry a purse, the answer is most likely your front pocket. Many iPhone 6 Plus owners have found that keeping the phone in a front pocket results in a noticeable curvy phone.

The area around the volume buttons seems to be a weak point, as most of the phones curve at that location. The issue is of enough significance to warrant its own hashtag: #bendgate. Several brands, such as LG and KitKat, have already taken the opportunity to provide some humorous social commentary about the situation.

Apple has yet to publicly address the concerns. It will be interesting to see if they issue a response similar to Steve Job’s reaction to the iPhone 4’s antennagate. He originally implied that the phone’s reception problem wasn’t a design flaw. People were just holding the phone the wrong way. Apple CEO Tim Cook is unlikely to suggest that the solution is simply to not put the phone in your pocket, but that doesn’t mean that he’ll share the opinion that the iPhone 6 Plus has a serious design flaw.

photo credit: Martin uit Utrecht via photopin cc