iPhone firmware 2.0 hands-on

We know there have been a couple of crappy videos here and there on the web, but we finally got our own grubby paws on the yet-to-be released iPhone 2.0 beta, which isn't officially due until this June. It isn't exactly awash with changes, but here's what you need to know:

• Exchange is so on! Changes are pushed over the network, but over WiFi it does check-ins, so it's not as instantaneous.
  
• There's no contact search that we can see, so far. Maybe that only gets turned on if you have thousands of contacts (which we definitely do not).
• There's a new button in the calendar, but we don't know what it is and can't make it do anything.
• The App Store is there, of course, but doesn't do anything yet (except error out that it can't connect).
• Wondering when Apple will make good on its agreement to license Cisco technology? Well, the branded Cisco VPN screen has definitely been added to the VPN settings. We couldn't really test this one, but assume it works as advertised. We don't yet know if it supports SecurID or other hardware token authenticators.
• Parental controls most certainly work. Marvel as we turn off YouTube!
  
• You can now order your preferred WiFi networks.
• In addition to having a new sideways scientific mode(!), the basic calculator now does commas and has new, useful functions for the math nerds; both the calc and the iTunes icons have changed.
• By far our favorite new feature is multi-select in mail, though. Now when you hit edit you can select as many messages as you want and delete or move them as a group. Friggin' finally. Now where's that two-pane client?

Definitely encouraging stuff in here. We'll have some video up of this thing a little later; in the mean time, there anything you want to know? Big ups to our source(s) for hooking us up with this!

Update: Video after the break!

Gallery: iPhone firmware 2.0 hands-on

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[mingistech @ Mar 18th 2008 3:19PM]

Damn Ryan.... you put that b1t¢h in place.

[craig @ Mar 18th 2008 7:16PM]

Really, Ryan? How about the app store?

Seriously, there is no justification for a comment like that other than to make it seem like there's something to say. I wonder if you'd go out of your way to assume new features on a non-Apple product work as claimed.

[mediaphile @ Mar 19th 2008 2:38AM]

It's Apple and Cisco. Hard to go wrong on a collaboration like that.

[Tias @ Mar 21st 2008 12:49PM]

And ehmm.. How hard is it to take the Maemo cisco vpn client and recompile for the Iphone? No really how hard is it!?

http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/vpnc/ (Oh, it's been around for years apparantly)..

[SFO Kevin @ Mar 18th 2008 1:59PM]

No SIM?

[Dyranios @ Mar 18th 2008 1:20PM]

holy s#it this is so lame for a 2.0 upgrade,

no MMS? no video recording? no "finder" no ability to send and receive files over bluetooth? If the iPhone doesn't have at least one of these things by the time 2.0 comes out I'm selling it and buying the Xperia, lame show Apple!

[Luigi193 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:24PM]

The whole "3rd party apps" Thing is a pretty big update...

[Dyranios @ Mar 18th 2008 1:27PM]

lol wtf how is that a big update when most phones were doing it on release for the past 5+ years, not only that but alot of people have been running 3rd party apps since the iphone came out via jailbreak.

[Mike10010100 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:31PM]

Most phones do 3rd party apps on release because they are based on the java format, which most phones utilize. For instance Opera Mini and Google Maps.

Seriously, they aren't based in the actual phone OS, they simply run.

[JJ @ Mar 18th 2008 1:37PM]

MMS? Voice Recording? Okay I can maybe work with MMS but honestly, do you have to send you send a media with every messages you make?? That's cute when you're in 8th grade. Most people use email now. Fact that the iPhone has a very impressive mail app on the iphone, who uses MMS. I'm not trying to sound bitter or anything but isn't that what email would be useful for?? Now Voice Recording...what for? Yes there are phones out that have voice recording but if I needed Voice Recorder that much I'd simply buy those recorders at staples! Maybe its just me.

[Dyranios @ Mar 18th 2008 1:44PM]

MMS- Yeah you're right I don't send them often at all must be like one every 2 months but when I do it's nice and everyone has a MMS capable phone whereas not everyone has an email client set up on their phone, if I see something that I know someone would like MMS fits the bill perfectly. Maybe I just took it for granted all these years but it's a pretty standard feature.

Voice Recording- I didn't mention it but if you are in a rush and need something specific noted like a model number or a room number or something its handy

[Numetheus @ Mar 18th 2008 2:31PM]

Other mobile phones have 3rd party applications? I thought the only application they had was Java Mobile Edition and they just simply ran java apps through that. Those programs are generic and do not make use of special features of the phone. FORGET about fast 3D graphics with them. The only phones I know that actually have 3rd party programs that are made for them are phones running WM, Symbian, or Palm.

Have you not seen the SDK demos? You are actually telling me that most other phones are capable of that kind of software? You are all crazy. When 3rd party support becomes a reality, the software quality will stand unique amongst every other phone. And which other phone has the same 3D graphics ability? We already know that iPhone is capable of some PSP style console quality gaming. I have had WM devices for years including my Tilt and they come nowhere close. Those apps from the March 6 event look better than most WM apps, and they were made in only 2 weeks.

[samantha @ Mar 18th 2008 3:12PM]

if you want to send your friends pictures, try out this website:
http://hiptools.net/sms/
it has a list of emails you can use to send to your friends. i used to use it a lot with my sidekick3.

and as for remembering names or numbers on the go.... there is a Notes app that I'm sure works just as well.

[frozo @ Mar 18th 2008 3:19PM]

Dyranios, I totally agree with you. The fact that you are ranked so low just shows we are up against hardcore fanboys who are here only to find the newest juicy bits on 2.0. You are totally right.. the features listed are totally lacking for a full numbered upgrade. Cut & paste anyone? Cmon, there are SO many basic things that EVERY other phone has. I love my iPhone, dont get me wrong.. but Ive been waiting around for real-feature upgrades for some time.. they are so lacking.

[mediaphile @ Mar 19th 2008 2:50AM]

Trying to compare supporting generic Java apps to a fully integrated true software platform and store is ridiculous. Why anyone would attempt to draw this comparison to make an argument is beyond me, and speaks volumes about the limits of the author's technical knowledge.

[Saad Rabia @ Mar 18th 2008 1:22PM]

In my city (Abu Dhabi), the telecommunication company Etisalat is offering a package of 3.5G connection with up to 7.2 Mbps connection speed.

When will the iPhone be useful with such "new" technologies in this world?

[Scott @ Mar 18th 2008 2:44PM]

At this point in time, you get to choose between "high speed" or "superior browser interface." Sadly, we can't get both in the same device yet.

(And no, Opera Mini with a d-pad is not the same as Safari and a touch screen.)

[Reid @ Mar 18th 2008 3:09PM]

When such "new" technologies are more standard and widespread so that development costs are spread over a large number of sales?

Otherwise you'd be bitching about having to pay $2000 for a 3.5G iPhone...

[Brian @ Mar 18th 2008 6:24PM]

Congratulations, you have HSDPA/HSUPA. AT&T offers that in the US, too. I'm not sure I would call it "3.5G", and you're not going to get anywhere near 7.2MBps with it (that's a theoretical maximum), but it's there.

The next iPhone will probably have HSDPA. There are smartphones out in the US (e.g. BlackJack II, Tilt) which have HSDPA. None of them work as well for browsing as the iPhone.

UMTS/HSPA runs on 1900MHz/850MHz in the US (for AT&T); T-Mobile is deploying 3G on the new AWS 1700/2100 band (not compatible with the UMTS2100 used in Europe and most of the rest of the world).

A truly compatible GSM/UMTS/HSPA phone would require:
GSM 850
GSM 900
GSM 1800
GSM 1900
UMTS 850
UMTS 900
UMTS 1700
UMTS 1900
UMTS 2100

That's a lot to cram into a single device, especially one that's as tight for space as the iPhone. And remember that the iPhone also has 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0.

Buying an iPhone taught me what I knew all along: it's not about features. There are a million devices with 'more features' than the iPhone, but it doesn't mean a damn if they don't work well. 3G doesn't do you any good if the browser sucks.

[Saad Rabia @ Mar 19th 2008 2:30AM]

@ Brian: Actually you "should" call it 3.5G, and yes, I do get 7.2 Mbps (remember it is b not B). The real theoretical maximum for 3.5G is 14.4 Mbps, which makes 7.2 a network option that is very reachable and real.

Another thing, I was not talking about other devices, I was saying that the iPhone is lame until it gets 3.5G support, because if you are going to put a good browser in a smart phone, it better support standard high speed Internet access, and honestly, if the iPhone had 3.5G and bluetooth only it would've been a great device; in this case wi-fi has no real important use, any hardware connectivity could be done through bluetooth, and any Internet access could be done through the high speed 3.5G network.

Wi-Fi limits your movement; 3.5G sets you free.

The iPhone has good browser; NOKIA has 3.5G support; I prefer, for now, the high speed support, this way I can enjoy "using" software through high speed Internet, instead of watching my phone all day long trying to connect to Skype and then have a bad call reception.

[eminem213486 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:24PM]

wow, the calculator is a welcome surprise, it went from the simplest to the advanced. now if all apps were horizontal aware and keyboard was horizontal would be perfect.

perhaps phonewide search is coming in the final. it definatelly needs it. scrolling through songs and contacts can take time.

also theres no reason there shouldnt be an MMS app. theres already a working receive/send mms app by the 3rd party, apple should give them some money n polish that app.

[Mike10010100 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:33PM]

It actually doesn't, use the list of letters on the right to narrow down to the letter you want, and then flick to the name you want, it's actually pretty fast.

However, i do agree with you, especially if you have a contact and then some sort of calendar date with that contact, it would be nice to have a global search in which you could do that.

Like a Palm...

[Mike @ Mar 18th 2008 4:15PM]

Send it over to me, I'll test out the VPN on my schools network...

[Phil @ Mar 18th 2008 1:26PM]

Finally, a calculator with functions!! So long, TI-89...or not.
Speaking of this, can't the functions of TI calculators be ported over to the iPhone? Surely, it has the processing power. Perhaps someone will create an app using the SDK.

[compuguy1088 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:52PM]

I would actually love this....because I do not get RPN based calculators...

[Mike10010100 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:34PM]

It's been done on the computer. Just simple emulation, not to mention the fact that the iPhone processor (or any for that matter) trumps the TI- 89.

[John @ Mar 18th 2008 1:39PM]

That app would probably cost as much as an 89 itself. iPhone apps would sell to a pretty small market, and with Apple taking 30% of the revenue, it would be pretty hard to justify the effort it would take to write a full fledged CAS.

[Numetheus @ Mar 18th 2008 2:43PM]

How would the 30% cut make a difference? 70/30 is pretty much a standard cut with lots of other developer programs. Or 80/20, but you have to pay maintenance and yearly fees.

[Matt @ Mar 19th 2008 7:35PM]

It would be very possible to develop a Ti-89 emulator for the iPhone. It would be very impossible to distribute it via the app store (which forbids software which can run custom code, not to mention many people would probably 'illegitimately' get the firmware as well).

[Doug DeJulio @ Mar 18th 2008 1:26PM]

Regarding that button in the calendar, it looks an *awful* lot like the "show me the stuff I've been invited to but haven't accepted yet" icons in a few other calendaring systems.

Try having a buddy email you a meeting invitation with iCal/vCal attachment, and then read that mail on your iPhone, and see if that button becomes active.

[Mike10010100 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:27PM]

I don't know... I think that calculator is awesome!

They are slowly adding on features. Just keep shouting at them and they will add it. 3G can't be far behind!

[Mehul @ Mar 18th 2008 1:29PM]

I'd still rather jailbreak it. Apple is just playing catch up with jailbreakers. I already have many of these features on my 1.1.4

[badqat @ Mar 18th 2008 6:49PM]

You don't have exchange support, do you? That's paramount to the iPhone being accepted in the business world.

[Mehul @ Mar 18th 2008 6:59PM]

I said 'Many' not 'All'... I dont need exchange support. Besides there is lot that jailbreak can do that the 2.0 cannot. For example, file browser, themes, PDF viewer etc.

[FrankTheCrank @ Mar 18th 2008 1:29PM]

What about the ability to change the "sent from" in email on the fly instead of going into settings???

I hate when I send a message from a different email address and not the one I intended.

[notarus+engadget @ Mar 18th 2008 1:35PM]

Is there support for IMAP Idle yet for non- yahoo accounts?

I'd like to get the push for my own email.

Thanks!

[required @ Mar 18th 2008 1:34PM]

I think the GUI should work with the accelerometer so that lighting and shadows adapt to the direction that you hold it in. Kai to the Nth

[John C. @ Mar 18th 2008 1:39PM]

Can Apple please open up more Bluetooth profiles, like A2DP or the File Transfer profile? I'll stick with 2.5G and basic calculator any day if they can just let us transfer pics between iPhones or use wireless stereo headsets.

[Adam @ Mar 18th 2008 1:43PM]

Am I the only one amazed that Apple seem to be fogetting about MMS? Do Americans not send picture messages?

[THJ @ Mar 18th 2008 2:20PM]

No, we do not use MMS. I speak for the entire country, btw.

[The Dude @ Mar 18th 2008 2:35PM]

@Adam:

Why waste time and data plan quota by sending multiple MMSs of the same picture? I send my pics from my phone to my Photobucket account where I tell people to hit up my albums.

[zachary miller @ Mar 18th 2008 2:54PM]

I agree with you that the bluetooth profiles are lacking. I can't believe they can call it 2.0 +EDR when there isn't any data flowing to be flowing at an enhanced rate. I hope they add these profiles and maybe leap to 2.1 as the laptops now run. It would make sense if they added word processing and powerpoint and excel to the iPhone. You could edit the files on the iPhone and sync them back to a mac. The Air and the iPhone would be a perfect pair. The Foleo and Treo were a no go.

[required @ Mar 18th 2008 1:38PM]

Wait this thing doesn't have hot swappable memory? It's really stuck with either 8 or 16GB? What the..? You can't swap batteries? Is it really half a grand? Wow.

No thanks.

[404error @ Mar 18th 2008 1:44PM]

LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIIIIIIIIN.

[required @ Mar 18th 2008 2:09PM]

wow sensitive, might even say insecure
take a break, go sit in a white room and meditate on your iMac collateral for ~10

[mediaphile @ Mar 19th 2008 2:58AM]

Not really, it's just you're bringing up issues that were discussed a year ago. Issues that are pretty much irrelevant at this point.

[The Dude @ Mar 18th 2008 1:39PM]

Who hooked you guys up with da warez? ;P

Well, Cisco VPN should be a welcomed update to those in-the-know. My university is blanketed in unencrypted WiFi (you're only required to provide the uni with MAC addresses) so Cisco VPN is used. I can't tell you how many people aren't running the VPN client on their laptops, let alone doing things like logging into sensitive things like their uni accounts on their iPhones.

[steveg @ Mar 18th 2008 1:41PM]

Are there playlists for videos yet? That's the one change I can't wait for.

[Eric @ Mar 18th 2008 1:44PM]

Any chance there is horizontal typing SMS?

[Paul @ Mar 18th 2008 2:48PM]

I'll second that, does anyone know anything about this?