The iPhone 2.1 is out. It contains the following updates as listed by Apple:
- decrease in call set-up failures andcall drops
- significantly improve battery life for most users
- dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
- improve email reliability, notable fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
- faster installation of 3rd party applications
- fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes if you have lots of 3rd party applications
- improved performance of 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
The 2.1 firmware is build 5F136 (weighing in at 237.8MB) and can be directly downloaded through iTunes. The new firmware also contains a number of security fixes including the well publicized passcode flaw.
There was a post about Qik:Broadcast video live from iPhone. At that time only users of old iPhones with firmware 1.1.4 could use it. Now there is a new version for 2.0 users.
You can get Qik with the iPhone 3G and old iPhone with firmware 2.0 by doing the following:
If you have not already, you'll need to sign up at http://qik.com/sign_up and receive an SMS from us to activate the application.
Launch Cydia.
Go to the "Sections" tab at the bottom and scroll down to "Multimedia."
Under Multimedia, you will find Qik. Tap on it then select "Install" at the top right, then in the same spot tap "Confirm."
Now you will see Qik get installed. You may hit the "Return to Cydia" button at the bottom or just quit Cydia when it is done installing.
You'll now notice a "Qik" icon on your home screen - Go ahead and launch it.
As long as your initial signup SMS/text message is still in your inbox for the first launch, your account will be linked to your device.
Make sure you have 3G service or are on WiFi (edge is not sufficient enough to stream video) before you begin broadcasting.
There are several reports that updating to 2.0.1 on an iPhone in Airplane mode may result in bricked phones.
Users who paid Vodaphone to unlock their phones for international roaming have reported the update breaks connections with their carriers.
A few users report occasional lag in the Contacts, SMS and e-mail apps. From our testing, typing in the Contacts app is still laggy, but SMS and e-mail is faster.
No surprise whatsoever: Updating results in losing access to your jailbroken (i.e. hacked) apps. 2.0.1 updates iPhone 3G's baseband, you may never be able to unlock the handset again if you run this update.
Many users are reporting 2.0.1 is slow with backup. This more likely has to do with the version of iTunes they're running; many have said iTunes 7.7.1 sped up backup and syncing.
The main purpose is bug fixing. Many applications work faster. Here is the list of changes:
Drag an app icon across multiple pages in one motion, rather than having to drag it, drop it, pick it up again and drag it over to next page, and repeat.
Contacts are now more responsive.
Backup is much faster.
Apple may have changed the calibration of the iPhone's reception "bars" while connected to a 3G network to reflect a stronger signal than before.
Keypad loads quicker.
Screen rotation in Safari appears to be smoother.
Some apps may ask to be updated after the firmware upgrade.
SMS typing faster.
Google Apps works faster.
Netshare still works (for those who use it).
Works with iPod.
Multimedia content is kept after update.
No Support from Pwnage and WinPwn. If you update you'll loose unlock and jailbreak.