Will 2.1 be what 2.0 was supposed to be?

As per usual, at the most inopportune time when I was already running late, I decided to sync my iPhone as I was getting ready to leave home today. Like clockwork, iTunes asks me if I'd like to update to Firmware 2.1. Would I? Unlike last time, I actually downloaded the update and took off to make my a Saturday class.

During a break, my fellow iPhone-laden class attendees got out their iPhones to check email, text messages and voicemail and the discussion turned to Firmware 2.1.

"Did you get it?" one fellow classmate asked eagerly.

Some of us had, and others, like me, had not. The only visual difference the few of us noted was that the iPod's song listings now listed the artists as well as the song title. But it was funny that we were talking about a firmware update like schoolgirls gossiping as the discussion quickly shifted to cool iPhone applications. Seismographs to levels to games....

On the way home, however, I ran into two of my friends who work at an Apple Store here in the Bay Area. One is a general floor rep and the other a Genius Bar rep. Both were touting the update as getting a new iPhone (essentially making the life of the Genius Bar rep a whole lot easier, me mused).

From what I've gathered from everyone I talked to today about the update (the whole point of non-geeky types talking about a firmware update is not lost on me) is the following: Somehow, Apple has increased 3G performance AND improved battery life in one fell swoop. Perhaps, some theorized, Firmware 2.1 has addressed 3G network access issues that drains battery life. Whether this involves AT&T slackening 3G access standards or if the change is on Apple's end doesn't really matter to me. The details behind the conclusion aren't critical to a lay user like me and my classmates. We saw a Firmware 2.0 iPhone placed next to a 2.1 and noting that 3G reception on the 2.0 was 2 bars while the 2.1 iPhone had 5 bars. Really? More bars everywhere for everyone AT&T?

Can't wait to see if this Firmware update finally makes good on AT&T's slogan of 'fewer calls dropped,' which has, thus far, rung hollow with the iPhone 3G.

[drzaius007]

So far it has not been pleasant. Since I have upgraded to 2.1 I absolutely NO 3G SERVICE at all. I have no idea where to go from here but they have managed to break 3G completely.

[bugm3n0t]

LOL - They really have muddied their faces and trust with these updates. I am so surprised. I regretted for for months going to 2.0 firmware. I will be more careful in the future.

[random truth]

2.1 fixed my issues even the ones I did not know I had.

[goodspeed8701]

2.1 fried my sim like a fish. well apple has the worst update ever. i think they are worse than microsoft

[huzzu78]

1. When will I get to forward SMS ?
2. Still no copy , paste feature on iPhone across applications
3. No video recording option
4. No call recording feature if we need to record call on the move
5. No contact forward option ie send business card
7. Cannot select at one go many contacts to send SMS?
8. No group option for bulk SMS
9. How to auto off the spelling correction on the iPhone. Cannot keep seeing the screen and key board to check if typed correctly. Basically is there a way to avoid spell suggestion ?

Wonder when the above will be looked into by apple and give relief to us users using iPhone.

[DigitalFrog]

How about a more informative title? For those that don't really care much about the iPhone, this title was less than useful when all that appears on the morning dispatch is 'Will 2.1 be what 2.0 was supposed to be?'

[BLipman72]

i just got the iphone and even with 2.01 i still had 3 bars after the uprgade its 5. Dont know what they did but they got it right. I still think theres a bad batch of iphones out there. I would bet if we took the serial #'s and collected them that there would be a pattern on what batch it was and then they can recall them for working devices.

[reddawnz]

2.1 didn't "fix" any 3G issues. 2.1 mearly and I quote "Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display." I don't know what this means to you, however, to me it means that signal strength remains the same, however, more bars are displayed for the same signal strenghth. It might stop some illigitimate gripes, however, if someone was having true problems it won't help at all.

[BLipman72]

I saw that too and was wondering what they were refering to with that. It is kind of interesting to see all the posts that say that they now have 5 bars instead of 2 or 1 or none. Is it a hoax that the issue is fixed. Not sure. What i do know is that i have had the device for 3 days and no dropped calls and no issues with signal strength. It has only changed to edge once and the network handoff did not drop my call. I still think there is a bad batch of iphones out there that the patch does not work on.

[joanbyrd]

I just got an iphone. How do I transfer my music on windows media player to my phone/

[raller08]

...you need to download iTunes from the Apply website. Then import all your songs into iTunes, then hook up your iPhone to your PC so iTunes recognizes it. Now all your need to do is drag-and-drop the songs you want into the iPhone folder...

[culvey]

Uhh, yeah. Over one month without a blog post. This is pretty much a waste of a blog slot on CNET at this rate. Apparently CNET doesn't assert its requirements of keeping a blog fresh and active.

[matchmate]

I have my iphone since last 5 months and it is great I bought it from ubuysell.ca ,

[matchmate]

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