Features

So we’ve all been waiting a while for this. Last night sometime, Apple released iPhone 2.2 Software Update which includes many of the changes I’ve been anticipating over the past couple of weeks.

Included in the update is Google Street View, public transit and walking directions, and over-the-air podcast downloads via the iTunes app. The update also includes numerous fixes including added stability in Safari and fixes for Mail. Other feature include:

iPhone 2.2 Software Update
This update contains many bug fixes and improvements, including the following:
+ Enhancements to Maps
- Google Street View
- public transit and walking directions
- display address of dropped pins
- share location via email
+ Enhancements to Mail
- resolved isolated issues with scheduled fetching
of email
- improved formatting of wide HTML email
+ Improved stability and performance of Safari
+ Podcasts are now available for download in iTunes
application (over Wi-Fi and cellular network)
+ Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops
+ Improved sound quality… more...

Have you ever thought it was annoying to go to one of your favorite sites (not iPhone optimized) and wait a good amount of time to fully load, only to slide and zoom in and out to see everything. I can say that I sometimes get annoyed, but there is hope.

A new service converts any well formed XML RSS feed to an iPhone-optimized version with the typical sliding style interface.

I love it, and you will too. Point your safari browsers here to test it out.

If there’s one thing we were hoping to get from yesterday’ iPhone SDK event, it was VoIP support. I really didn’t expect Apple to support VoIP, as their agreement with AT&T is already showing its weaknesses, and letting customers forgo the network entirely seemed unlikely. Luckily, Apple went ahead and proved us all wrong, announcing that developers would have access to VoIP technology over WiFi on the iPhone.

What’s the catch? Apple will only allow VoIP to function if the iPhone is connected to a WiFi network, so it won’t work over EDGE. Basically, what this does is prevent AT&T customers from transforming their unlimited data plan into an unlimited phone plan. Despite that limitation, it’s nice to see Apple addressing a common request from developers and customers.

When I got word that update 1.1.3 had cell tower and Wi-Fi tracking, I was overjoyed. Finally a supported version of pseudo-GPS from Apple. My joy did not last long, because as of recently Navizon, the company that developed the first pseudo-GPS on the iPhone, has added some new services. Now Navizon allows for the positioning system to update every 10 seconds. If your on the road, you can get an up-to-date position instead of hitting the triangulate button multiple times. The service now includes a system bar which runs with the maps application. This allows for easy access to some of the new services. The 3rd party app also includes a buddy positioning system similar to that offered by Helio and Boost Mobile. By adding buddies Navizon users can have a knowledge of where their other Navizon using friends are. This of course can be turned off if someone wanted to drop of the grid. The app also runs in the background which allows for friends to find the user without him/her actively using Navizon.

Right now this is bad news for me. I love this… more...

USAToday takes a close look behind the driving force of the iPhone’s pseudo GPS function and the technology needed to accurately pinpoint a user.

Before using the less accurate method of Cellular Triangulation, the iPhone if on Wi-Fi uses data from SkynetSkyhook. Skyhook works by tracking Wi-Fi access points and mapping them out to pin point a location

Via: Mac Rumors

How many times have you been out on the road and suddenly remembered you forgot to set up your DirecTV DVR to record LOST?

DirecTV has launched a new mobile site which allows you to set up TV recordings and Pay Per View content on your home DVR from your mobile device, and the site apparently works great on the iPhone.

I don’t have DirecTV, but think this is great. The system is pretty smart too; If you have multiple DVRs in your home it knows and will ask you which one you’d like to schedule. You can also search by show title and you will be given a list of available showings.

The site is still in beta, but be sure to visit here to see the latest developments.

How many times have you been on your way home from a road trip and wished that you could arrive to a fresh brewed cup coffee?

It is reported that a “Mr. Coffee” is in the process of launching. The new mobile site allows you to set up coffee brewing direct from your iPhone using remote scheduling technology. Simply schedule and you’re done!

Have you seen Miss Congeniality where Sandra Bullock walks to the front of the line as if it were an emergency? Imagine doing that yourself. No more waiting in lines…

Unfortunately, there isn’t such a place where I live, but there is a Starbucks. Perhaps one day they will implement that feature. Until then, I’ll stick with waiting in line.

This is currently in beta and you can look for updates here.

So you took some time to play with the latest firmware - that is if you decided to update the firmware - and there was nothing new to bring to the table that was not previously leaked.

Well, what if I told you there were two more iPhone features? They are not big, but I sure do appreciate the two.

There are two improvements in the iPhone 1.1.3 software/firmware update that slipped under the radar. First, the limit for text message storage has been increased from 1,000 to “about 75,000” according to Apple.

I love this, because I text often and save each of my conversations and before I know it, I am being warned that my inbox is filled!

Second, the virtual keyboard now allows two-finger touch typing. In other words, you don’t need to remove your finger from one letter in order to type another letter.

This new capability makes it possible to use the shift key like you would on a normal keyboard; Hold down the shift key and then let go to capitolize the first letter. Simple,… more...

Whoops. Looks like I forgot about copy/paste again. Apple had me so excited with the new features, I forgot about the basics. Greg reminded me with his previous post on what he didn’t like about the new firmware update. As much as I do love the new features on my phone, I am a bit upset about not having the basics. Why does Apple blind the average consumer with so many unnecessary, but awesome, features. Yet another update comes along, bringing with it many exciting features. Only one question remains. How many firmware updates must we install before we get copy/paste? What do you guys think? My guess is that at least one more will come out before we finally get the update we have been waiting for.

So my answer to Greg’s question is… no. After further reflection I realized that I was not satisfied with this update. Though I do not think 1.1.3 was a bad update, it could have had more features. So Apple, either release your updates more often or have better quality.

Too many things happened today, but let’s not forget the important details. Remember a little while back? Gmail now supports IMAP. With 1.1.2, there was no official support on Apple’s part, but 1.1.3 has changed this. Gmail’s IMAP is now integrated within the mail app. One feature that I was upset not to see in 1.1.2 is now included with 1.1.3. The ability to have separate folders which may be used to organize the mail you may not want in your inbox. I discovered this on my own and I was surprised this was not as big of feature as some of the others.

I am glad I can finally organize my mail into separate folders and have official IMAP support. What do you think of these features? Have you heard about them before you read this? What else would you like to see included in the mail app through future updates?

This post was written on my iPhone which is running 1.1.3