iPhone 2.1 Software Update Delivers on Fixes
Just as Steve Jobs promised nearly as week ago, Apple last Friday released version 2.1 of its iPhone firmware.
“This is a big update, it fixes lots of bugs,” said Steve Jobs during the Apple event last Tuesday morning. “Fewer dropped calls, big battery life improvements. No crashes with Apps. Backing up is faster.” After spending the weekend with the new firmware, we’re happy to report that most of the promises Jobs made last week are true.
The big winner from the new update is undoubtedly iPhone 3G users, particularly those with reception problems. Although there are reports that the new software made no improvements (or even made things worse), the majority of users say that reception on their new iPhones is better than ever. All of our call problems that occurred on a regular basis prior to Friday all of a sudden disappeared after the update.
Apple even saw fit to change the “3G” logo on the iPhone, perhaps as a quick and easy way to tell apart the new, improved software from the older one.
The claim of “big battery life improvements” doesn’t seem to be as “big.” Battery life is noticeably better on the iPhone 3G, but not enough to allow the heavy user from wandering too far away from a charging source. Another problem is that Apple is not saying how it improved battery life. If the main targets in power management were in the 3G and GPS radios, then we could say for sure that the battery improvements are for the iPhone 3G only. At this point, however, we can’t say for certain.
First generation iPhone users will surely be able to enjoy the other improvements, such as no more SMS texting lag, faster app installs and fewer instances of crashing. Backup times were also drastically improved. Those of us who had pages of apps installed had to deal with backup procedures that would measure into the hours. With 2.1, our backups were usually finished within 15 minutes.
Despite Apple’s reputation for solid integration of hardware and software, the iPhone 2.1 software update shows just how far behind the software was during the iPhone 3G’s launch in July. Version 2.1 is the software that should been paired with the iPhone 3G.
Now about that MMS and copy & paste...
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Didn't work too well for me, It messed up my Alarm, making me late for an important meeting and messed up my SIM Card making me take it out and put it back in before my phone would work again.
Worked fine - I had some dropped voice calls prior to this update - 5 by my count since July. Apps crashed (abrupt return to the home screen while using an app) and SMS Text service lagged - the keyboard wouldn't respond at the speed I was typing at. The software update allows data service to be more functional, calls are fine without dropping, bluetooth headset doesn't disconnect anymore, and apps are crash-free.
This doesn't fix everything, but it is a step in the right direction. My battery life has NOT improved.
When will they have the keypad shut off while I am on my phone? I have lost more calls because the keypad is to sensitive and my check either shuts off the mic orputs the call on speaker. I think the phone keypad should shut off while elivated to the ear. Other wisw the phone is just a phone, I don't feel like I got a great deal by going to this phone. I don't care for text message, and don't need to be so accessable to e-mails. Really like my music with me.
FYI, if you are on a call, hit the power button at the top - it locks the phone. This prevents the call from being accidentally disconnected.
Apparently this only works if you're using a headset. I apologize if the previous statement has caused numerous calls to disconnect. Please use a headset before hitting the power button while on a call.