Apple have released iPhone firmware v2.1, announced by Steve Jobs earlier this week and the company's promised cure for dropped calls, poor battery life and slow iTunes backups. According to the update details, it also includes improved email reliability for both POP and Exchange users, faster third-party application installs, improved SMS performance and speedier contacts searching.
There's also a re-fettled 3G signal strength display, promising more accuracy, and the security option to wipe the iPhone's data after ten incorrect passcode attempts. Genius playlist creation has also been added, Apple's new "intelligent" system that can analyze your tracks and suggest similar music from both your own library and from the iTunes store.
You can download the new firmware by connecting your iPhone, loading iTunes and choosing "Check for update". The new firmware will automatically download and install. We're downloading it now, let us know how you get on with your own iPhone.
Windows Vista users should be aware some users are having problems with the new iTunes 8.0.
After installing the 2.1 firmware I have notices more bars on the 3G and faster response on the applications, email and sms lets see whats happens the next day to be cond
After installing the 2.1 firmware, I have noticed that the location service can’t be turned on from GPS application.
I just updated. First of all, I have the iPhone only and not 3G…it took about 5 hours less to download and install the update. I didn’t have to sync so I don’t know if issues arose there but this was a welcome update for me. The entire phone seems quicker and more fluid. The apps that were crashing after opening before the update are no longer crashing. SMS is faster and smoother. I had nearly given up on my iPhone because of all the buggy bullshit I endured. This update came just in time.
Happy.
I want to comment on the 3G:
I tested today and there are two places along a road near my office where I would have a strong 3G signal strength indicator, yet my call would drop. This has happened everyday since mid-July when I got my 3G. Today I had strong 3G signal and did not lose my call. As an aside, browsing in the elevator I didn’t lose my signal (before it would just drop the 3G and switch to EDGE) riding 19 levels up.
My comment on the backup:
Prior to the firmware upgrade today, it would take a friggin’ hour to back up my iPhone; what a pain in the a$$. After the upgrade, the same process took a WHOPPING twelve minutes.
Regarding battery life:
Prior to today, my normal usage, optimized settings, etc. from disconnecting it from the charger around 7AM and plugging it back at 9PM, I have never hit the “20% low battery warning.” Tonight the warning came on for me by 7PM. Hmmm, does that mean that since I’m on 3G more now (instead of kicking into EDGE), that I’ll hit the warning more often?
On apps crashing:
None so far … and I have four pages of apps total on my 3G.
Regarding email sync:
Never had any issues before, so can’t really comment on this. I use Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, and MS Exchange.
So for me: overall experience with the 2.1 update … THUMBS UP!
Many problems are now gone, which makes me happy.
I had issue b4 with the device crashing and refusing to reboot when i have to many apps and games installed. I have like 40-50 of them. Now since the update i have like 70 installed and it works like a charm.
With issue of the contacts taking less them to load or whatever. They do work much faster when i click the phone button and then click the contacts. but the contacts icon on the home screen still take a few secs b4 i can scroll. so some work needs to be done there. Seems like they fixed one but not the other.
The google gps still needs work. Not sure if it’s google or the phone. But when i am home it never can find me in the correct place. it always gives me a incorrect location. i can adjust it. but it should just know where i am. when i am not home it always can locate me. wierd!
Thus far since update no apps have crashed. which was a big issue b4.
Installed apps is alot faster. secs rather then mins. so i am happy.
Backups to itunes is less then 1 min. i guess it now just checks to see if anything has changed and if not doesnt waste my time. which is great.
Still have issue with not have mms message capability. I found a app to send but none to recieve. They need to get there head out of there backside and give us what 5 dollar phones can do. Why they feel we dont deserve basic stuff is retarded. Why cant i just send a picture, is that to much to ask. why must i have to email it. which is not the point. I have to explain to my friends why i could read there mms message on my wonderful jesus phone.
After downloading the new update I notice that my phone battery goes dead every evening even though I have not used the phone very much during the day – which is weird.
Previously the phone charge was good for two days.
This makes the phone a lot less usable for me – any one else having this problem?