iPod Touch 2.1 software update is live

The 2.1 software update for the iPod Touch is already available, a few days ahead of schedule.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET News)

iPod Touch owners are getting an early look at the OS X 2.1 software update promised by Apple CEO Steve Jobs during Tuesday's music event.

Several blogs noted that the software update went live yesterday, but that appears to have been a premature release that was finalized this morning. The new software is supposed to fix a slew of bugs in the 2.0 software, such as frequent application crashes and backups that keep going, and going, and going.

iPhone owners will get their relief on Friday, with the additional fixes specific to that product such as a patch for the dropped-call issues. The software is free for iPhone users, but iPod Touch users who have yet to install the 2.0 software will have to pay $9.99 for the 2.1 release as a result of Apple's accounting policies for that device. If you already paid the ten bucks to get the 2.0 software on your iPod Touch, the 2.1 release is free.

Click here for full coverage of Apple's "Let's Rock" event.

[MoRic123]

"premature release"... hehehehe

[sanjayb]

I got my "premature release" yesterday. looks like it fixed the backup thing for sure.

[BLipman72]

I concur, the backup issue is definately fixed. also my device is much faster and the battery seems to be lasting longer too. I haven't had to charge all day (so far so good). They might of gotten it right on this one.

[zeryck]

It's not premature. I didn't see the keynote, but it makes sense: Since people could buy the new Touches with the 2.1 software, it wouldn't make sense for them not to release it yet.

[blackandwhite1010101]

you know that you can download secrets(mac only) and there an option under iTunes to turn off ipod touch/iPhone backup altogether. That said it is a lot faster yes.

[Seaspray0]

Moric is right. Premature release. Perhaps if they had an iphone beta test program, they would have known about the issues in advance. Apple got sloppy on this one but not as bad as the "defrag" issue microsoft had with the initial release of millenium. Even so, it was still sloppy.

[Shaymojack]

For the last few weeks, I've been syncing my iPod as little as possible. It tooks around ten minutes just for the backup. Now it's all fixed and done in a few seconds.