iPhone firmware 2.1 first impressions
Today I witnessed the impossible. My iPhone synced (sunc?) with my computer in less that four minutes. The new firmware certainly has some improvements that are evident from the get go.
Today, Apple released the promised iPhone firmware 2.1 update right on time. They also provided a little more detail as to just what it does. Here’s the list.
- Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls
- Significantly better battery life for most users
- Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
- Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
- Faster installation of 3rd party applications
- Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications
- Improved performance in text messaging
- Faster loading and searching of contacts
- Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display
- Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages
- Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts
- Genius playlist creation
Certainly, this update promised to fix most of the problems that I’ve been experiencing with previous firmwares. Whether it actually does or just makes them a little better will take some time to find out. I’m very happy to see this update, since the last time I docked my iPhone this was what I got…
After I installed the firmware update, I noticed an immediate boost in sync times, as stated above. SMS is also noticeably faster, and I didn’t experience any keyboard lag. Install time on applications is much better. I installed an update over wifi to one of my apps and it happened in about 20 seconds.
One thing that Apple didn’t list as a feature update is that now iTunes shows how much space your apps take up on your device.
You can update your iPhone like normal through iTunes. Just connect your iPhone and click “Check for Update.“ If you’ve updated, let us know how the new firmware is working for you in the comments below.
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I also just noticed that the EDGE icon has changed. Now it’s just an E, no box around it or anything. Pretty minor, I know, but I just noticed it.
on September 12, 2008 at 12:56 PM - LINKSince updating my Iphone 3g to 2.1 I have noticed a significant increases in the phones overall functionality. However, I did notice that my first phone call after the update dropped with full bars. Keeping my fingers crossed though.
on September 12, 2008 at 05:31 PM - LINKGPS Navigation they fixed that… I don’t have a data plan, but even if I didn’t have a wi-fi before I was able to locate myself where I was, pretty much exact location. but now that’s fixed :(
battery life has increased… like that one…
on September 12, 2008 at 07:18 PM - LINKfaster contact lists appear and faster text msging…