iPhone 2.1 release details and upgrade procedure for v2.0.2

As promised, Apple has released iPhone 2.1 update via  iTunes 8.


General fixes:
  1. Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls.
  2. Better battery life for most users.
  3. Reduced time to backup to iTunes.
  4. Improved email reliability, fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts.
  5. Faster installation of 3rd party applications.
  6. Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes.
  7. Improved performance in text messaging.
  8. Faster loading and searching of contacts.
  9. Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display.
  10. Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages.
  11. Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts.
  12. Genius playlist creation [Illustrated by one reader] .
Security fixes:
  1. An application may be able to read another application's files.
  2. Multiple vulnerabilities in FreeType v2.3.5.
  3. mDNSResponder is susceptible to DNS cache poisoning and may return forged information.
  4. Predictable TCP initial sequence numbers generation may lead to TCP spoofing or session hijacking.
  5. An unauthorized user may bypass the Passcode Lock and launch iPhone applications.
  6. Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Other fixes:
  1. The texting memory leak problem seems to be fixed.
  2. Apps run a lot faster.
  3. No lag when srolling, faster launching of SMS app.
  4. New "3G" logo in the menu bar.
  5. Updating applications keeps their icons in place.
  6. App syncs still slower compared to media syncs.
I was able to update in minutes with no fuzz. Here's my updated About page:

What was lost:
The pineapple pwnage logo
Installer 4.0
Apps installed by Installer 4
Cydia and Apps? (not sure since I didn't have it in the first place)
Hacked App Store Apps

What got retained:
Apps from the App Store
Hacked Apps' Icons
Icon positions

Tall iPod Nano pic and the Sept 9 launch

Kevin Rose was spot on with the tall iPod Nano judging from this leaked photo:

Also rumored to come is iTunes 8 with Genius--a Pandora like service that suggests songs based on what you've been listening to. I'd love to try this out since Pandora has been receiving raves but I can't try it our from outside the United States.

And then there's iPhone OS 2.1. I hope our prayers are answered! I'm crossing my fingers for SMS forwarding, templates and copy & paste.

Two weeks on the iPhone 2.0.2

I was on iPhone 1.1.4 and was not planning on upgrading anytime soon. I used SMSD to send template commands to the EasyLoad universal loading service. I also was concerned with the various problems people were encountering with the latest iPhone OS 2.0.


But then, my phone started having problems. First, apps crashed more often. Then, podcasts started to crash too. Finally, after removing Instinctiv Shuffle, my phone went into the Apple boot screen and never left it.

UPGRADING
Biting the bullet, I downloaded the latest Pwnage tool and iPhone firmware. After several hours waiting for the download to finish, I proceeded to upgrade and the process went without a hitch. Other than a rather empty home screen, nothing noticeable seem to have changed from the older version.

I tried exploring the new installer 4 beta, but all that's available are themes and country profiles. What happened to the jailbroken apps??

I then turned to the App Store where I found a ton of new software. But since I had to rely on reviews instead of actual demos, I started trying the applications in the "Top Free" category.

FREE APPS
Nope, I didn't try the Facebook app. Mostly because I hang out at another social network offering free text notifications. But Aurora Feint did live to the raves I've been hearing about it--an addictive game that's so polished, it surprises me that it's free!

Aurora Feint is a puzzle game similar to Bejeweled and Tetris, but also uses the iPhone's tilt sensor to enhance game play.

Other notable free apps include Apple's own Remote, the Cube Runner game, and Brain Tuner, a mental exerciser where you're presented with basic math problems that needed to be answered by Wrong or Right.

HACK STORE
After tinkering with the free apps and too cheap to buy some, I searched the net and found a way to install apps without Apple's FairPlay copy protection. Check out the MacUser.me forums for detailed instructions.

After the procedure, I was able to install a select number of apps including the omni-present Super Monkey Ball, which is a very difficult game to master. My current favorite is Asphalt 4: Elite Racing. Great graphics, sound and gameplay that rival TV-based consoles.

I was also able to get Cro-Mag Rally and Crash Bandicoot, but I still prefer Asphalt 4. Other than games, the other amazing application I found was Jugaari's Jaadu VNC. It's way ahead of the free Mocha VNC for iPhone 2.0, and VNSee for the jailbroken 1.1.4. Be warned, however! Jaadu is not free. It's $5 for the click version (no keyboard) and $25 for the full version. Expensive, but a real lifesaver if you need to control other computers while on the go.

BATTERY
I have since been able to adjust to my new 2.0.2 environment. But one thing that's noticeable is battery life is now shorter. I do admit that I play more games lately more than I text.
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