Apple's iPhone 2.0 update is failing

(Credit: Matt Asay)

Look familiar? It's what I and others have been seeing this morning when trying to upgrade to the iPhone 2.0 firmware. Apple's servers are apparently being dismantled by heavy traffic. That's nice. But now I have a brick with no ability to call, no contacts, nothing.

Isn't there some way to prepare for this? Don't hype a product unless you're prepared to let people actually use it.

Follow-up: Unfortunately, the day didn't get any better. It veered toward success with an eventual 2.0 upgrade on my existing iPhone and success with ActiveSync and Zimbra, but then cratered when an unstable 2.0 build and an equally shaky ActiveSync started eating my email. Couple this with Apple's and AT&T's shocking inability to get the right hand to talk to the left on activation and I was left wishing that I would have sold my spot in line for the $200 that was on offer. Friday was not Apple's finest day...or mine.

[sticks1839]

I had the same problem this morning, so my phone is sitting at home while I'm at work until the traffic calms down. Also, some quirk in the updated iTunes caused an issue with the syncing of my iPhone's contacts/calendar with Outlook, so it constantly tries to find the Microsoft Office Professional CD, even after I abort the sync, correct the error, and close iTunes.

[b_baggins]

So, exactly, how is your product a brick? The iPhone doesn't stop working because the iTunes store can't download the update yet. Methinks there's more to this story than you're telling us.

[UKStory1355]

I updated my iTunes last night so I could update my iPhone this morining; however, when I tried to update my phone this morning, iTunes told me that iPhone 1.1.4 is still the most current software.

[googler88]

Yep, woke up this morning, and clicked the Update button. Then clicked Learn More. Then it displayed an error message. Then repeated 50 times. Then said that 1.1.4 was the latest firmware,

[Vegaman_Dan]

My 32Gb Touch bricked. Well, not exactly a brick- it does the BSD boot error loop thing, which is something that happens with corrupted files, a bad app install, or problems during jailbreaking. For a new Touch out the box and the first thing done is the update- that's not a good sign. Unfortunately there is no recovery- iTunes doesn't recognize the unit is attached anymore. Apple tells me to return the unit to the store- the store says send it to Apple. Lovely. Looks like I get to pay to send it to Apple and be without it for however long.

There's always a few lemons in any production run. I should have waited a few days for the rush to die down before trying to do the update. I can see where the problem happened.

[matthewadavid]

I downloaded the update last night. The update took - which was nice - but I am already seeing that there are bugs. For instance, I was playing AquaForest and the phone suddenly decided to re-start.

[john-tn]

iTunes successfully downloaded and installed 2.0..., but the phone will not activate with iTunes store.

Tech support says server crashed because it was overloaded. All the iPhone will do is tell you to connect to iTunes or Emergency Calls....that is all. No apps, not music, not phone, nothing. I can see nothing or use nothing on your iPhone!

Tech support said to try later. So the "Brick" description is 100% on target. The iPhone is useless for anything until they get their mess together and it will activate my iPhone.

[john-tn]

iTunes successfully downloaded and installed 2.0..., but the phone will not activate with iTunes store.

Tech support says server crashed because it was overloaded. All the iPhone will do is tell you to connect to iTunes or Emergency Calls....that is all. No apps, not music, not phone, nothing. I can see nothing or use nothing on your iPhone!

Tech support said to try later. So the "Brick" description is 100% on target. The iPhone is useless for anything until they get their mess together and it will activate my iPhone.

[digid]

Just finished my update at 9:00AM CDT and all went well with an 8 Gig Iphone 2G

How come when Apple does something like this, all the Mac Faithful don't fry them w/ the same intensity that they do to EVERY OTHER non Mac brand???? Methinks that they are truly crazy.

[Ramon366]

The sky is falling - the sky is falling; Lawdy-Lawd-Lawd!!

[templetonrl]

I am getting the same error message. I can not make or receive calls and show no service on the phone. Itunes does not even pick up that the phone is connected to the USB port for updating. I removed the sim card from the Iphone and put it in a old Cingular Razr and now I have cell hone service. Now I can wait for Itunes to get well without suffering much pain since I have service.

[jrs_66]

I'm seeing the exact issue as john-tn... so much for being a 'good soldier' and paying for my AT&T contract! My phone is bricked... all in the name apple's 'security'... you suck apple!

[desco003]

brick is the best word to describe my dead iphone...its just sitting there and all I can do is just stare at it. I did the software 2.0 update which went smoothly...but when it tried to connect to iTunes... thats when it all stopped. I can only make emergency calls yadda yadda.

So I called ATT and they said iTunes is down. Fantasic....now its just a waiting game until the rush slows down....

[augsburgerster]

I downloaded 2.0 yesterday at noon and have been running apps from the iTunes store without a problem since then. What's the problem today?

[taplu71]

I tried to install 2.0 this morning...downloaded itunes 7.7 amd tried to update my iphone to 2.0, initially it looked like the 2.0 download and install went well. at one point after couple of minutes i started seeing messages like ...restoring to factory default.....then my iphone rebooted and i am now at this screen which is what i had when i bought the phone initially ,All the iPhone will do is tell you to connect to iTunes or Emergency Calls....did not have time to check with techsupport...i hope it wont be a mess to restore this thing back.

[topink]

I got told a month ago when this update happens it was supose to fry iphone's that are unlocked. But my ******* iphone is not unlocked so i dont get *** is happening. I've tried to get in contact with them they've cut all cost off from the call center.

[jbowski18]

Same problem here. I was going to go buy the new 3G...Thank god I waited.....looks like the blackberry is coming my way

[ulive_ulearn25]

I'm glad that I used CNET's blog yesterday and already downloaded 2.0! I'm happy to say that my upgrade was successful on the first attempt and I have numerous applications downloaded. I hope you guys get your phones to work soon!

[ballmerisanape]

If you have an iPhone.. you don't need iTunes to upgrade... there is a link to the software update. Just use google to find it.

iPod Touch.. on the other hand.. we are still waiting for the traffic to die down.