iPhone gets tweaked Safari in firmware 2.2

We're going down our "things that absolutely must change on the iPhone" list, and yeah, "redo the Safari toolbar" isn't anywhere on there. Not even at the very bottom. Cupertino works in mysterious ways, though, and they've decided in firmware 2.2 that it's time to muck with the positioning of the text boxes so that the address bar and search bar both appear at all times without needing to first tap in the area. They've also moved the refresh button inside the address bar itself, which should truly revolutionize our browsing experience yet again. Apple, screw copy / paste -- we're officially stoked.

[Via Wired, thanks Konstantin]

[John123 @ Sep 27th 2008 10:01PM]

This site has become a joke. Where did Engadget's integrity go?

[Vergency @ Sep 27th 2008 10:03PM]

[/sarcasm]

[Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Sep 27th 2008 10:09PM]

Probably to the same place your sense of humor went.

[Chris Ziegler @ Sep 27th 2008 10:19PM]

Our integrity -- like this post, apparently -- is above your head.

[brando_commando @ Sep 27th 2008 10:22PM]

I liked iPhone Safari the old way :-\

[Mike C @ Sep 27th 2008 10:27PM]

I thought asperger's disease was only applicable in face to face conversation.

Huh, who knew?

[Baby-G @ Sep 28th 2008 12:44AM]

Hooyah Apple. i love the 2.2 update, my iphone is that much better. Hey guy's comon let's go grab a ibeer, the drinks are on ime.

[Bobby @ Sep 28th 2008 12:50AM]

that actually 2 changes: no zoom icon and refresh button moved
enough for version to be called 2.3

[Malweran @ Sep 28th 2008 5:58AM]

I just HAD to look in the comments, because i was certain at least someone wouldn't get the joke. To think it would be the first poster was a bit shocking.

[Harkonian @ Oct 1st 2008 11:59AM]

Hey, say what you will about the first poster, but at least he didn't post "first!".

[jodosh @ Sep 27th 2008 10:03PM]

that looks terrible. why would they use up more of the already limited screen space with something useless?

[Ryan Trevisol @ Sep 27th 2008 10:57PM]

Thank you! The iPhone's screen is already lacking so many pixels next to HTC's current offerings that I can't imagine giving up more real estate for that toolbar. That's awful.

[RyanTV @ Sep 27th 2008 11:00PM]

Totally agree - I love that the bar auto hides once the page loads so then i get that much more of the page displayed. This is a terrible "feature". Apple needs to reallocate their developers time a little wiser. Let's have them do things that IMPROVE the way it works, not take steps backwards.

[Nomi @ Sep 27th 2008 11:37PM]

Won't this save some space by having both the search and address bar in one line? When you click the magnifying glass it pops out another line for the search bar....I'm guessing it won't be there anymore.

[CraigJ @ Sep 28th 2008 12:37AM]

What are you guys talking about? I'm comparing my current iPhone to the image above, and it (2.2) takes up *less* space.

On 2.1, when you click on the address bar a 2nd line shows up for search. 2.2 uses less space. Also, the address bar scrolls up with the page so it takes up no space when out of view.

[CraigJ @ Sep 28th 2008 12:43AM]

sorry. Missed the "at all times".

Yep, this sucks. leave it alone.

[konshuss @ Sep 28th 2008 1:36AM]

that isn't paint. those ipods are painting the walls with the blood of the nonbelievers.

[Hawkman @ Sep 28th 2008 7:33AM]

I think it's clumsy wording in the piece - I'm sure the address bar will still autohide.

Actually, it's pretty sensible to move search to the right, like in most desktop browsers. Always has me hesitating a moment when I go to tap it. So, despite the sarcasm, this probably will be more useful than cut and paste (which I've wished I had, like, twice...)

[who? @ Sep 28th 2008 1:06PM]

@CraigJ

No, you were right the first time, all they meant was that when you were looking at the URL bar it would show the search/URL fields at the same time without the dropdown, it will still stay up at the top.

It already does this in landscape mode if you tap on it, expanding it to cover the opposite bar if you tap on the URL/search box. It's just going to be like that in portrait mode now.

[Bloobie @ Sep 28th 2008 5:50PM]

How are they using more space by eliminating the second line that would normally be used by the Google search box? Perhaps Engadget could have written it more clearly, but the Safari change does not mean that this bar will ALWAYS be on the screen.

[Lundmark @ Sep 29th 2008 12:00PM]

Guys, the wording in this post might be clumsy.

In 2.1 the search bar (and keyboard) pops up when tapping the adress bar. In 2.2, the address bar and Google share space on a single row, rendering it unnecessary to tap the address bar first in order to Google.

I can't imagine this new compacted toolbar isn't gonna auto-hide. In fact, the source never even mentioned anything like that.

So the news is: Google is now accessible directly from the toolbar at the top - one less tap to make.

[frumpsnake @ Sep 27th 2008 10:06PM]

Am I REALLY the only iPhone user who doesn't care about copy+paste? The way Engadget carries on surely there must be something wrong with me.

[HOOPER @ Sep 27th 2008 10:11PM]

Yep, I think you may be.

[dpmthomas2 @ Sep 27th 2008 10:23PM]

not the only one, really don't see the big deal in copy/paste barely ever use it on my laptop and can think of maybe 10 times in the last 6 months where it may have saved me roughly 10 seconds of time.

[unsigned @ Sep 28th 2008 12:56AM]

I don't giveacrap either. Its just one of the things that WinMo owners can cling to since their browsers can suck a golf ball through a garden hose.

[Reader @ Sep 27th 2008 11:23PM]

Some of us actually do things with our phones and computers. I don't think a day goes by without me copy and pasting.

[Fatima @ Sep 27th 2008 11:31PM]

I agree with you. Except for maybe the 2-3 times that copy/paste would have saved me time on the iPhone. I don't think its that useful. I'm sorry but most people on Engadget. Just read of spec sheets and compare useless features of other phones. Srsly...MMS?...voice dialing? Yes lets also ad a Flash to the phone..because you know cell phone flashes are so damn good!

[Josh @ Sep 27th 2008 11:48PM]

No, I agree with you, I don't really need copy/paste on my iPhone. Sure it would be handy to have, but I wouldn't use it much, I can't think of many scenarios where I'd actually need it.

I'm hoping that they don't keep this layout with the search crammed in with the address bar, it doesn't look good, and I hardly use the feature anyway. Maybe it's just Apple testing the waters, trying to gauge people's reaction?

[s1pacrat @ Sep 28th 2008 12:30AM]

Cell phone flash is actually quite useful.

I use it on my Nokia E71 and I feel my browsing experience would be greatly detracted from without it.

Same goes for MMS and copy/paste.

[fh @ Sep 28th 2008 1:23AM]

Here's a tip for those who don't miss copy/paste: If Apple added it in, you still don't have to use it.

[urandom @ Sep 28th 2008 6:35AM]

My nokia phone has copy/paste, and it is a really wonderful feature. Too bad their browser doesn't fucking support it ...

[TOny @ Sep 28th 2008 10:44AM]

I think if your going to live in the corporate world (like Blackberry) and your getting important emails whether it is in the health care industry or other industry that has sensitive information in email. you just sometimes need to forward some information to another person and not the total whole email. I work in health care and we have to be HIPA complient and cant be sending out patient information. Cut and paste is handy

[Mark Anderson @ Sep 28th 2008 11:52AM]

@unsigned

What was that noise?

Oh, it was just the sound of Opera 9.5 kicking the shit out of your stupid argument.

[Jack Storm @ Sep 28th 2008 1:20PM]

@fh

If Apple added it, they would love it. Since Apple doesnt, they dont need it.

Thats how the fanboy thing works nowadays.

[)law( @ Sep 27th 2008 10:06PM]

As a owner of a iPhone I would like to say where the fuck is offcial mms, voice dialing and Bluetooth transfers...

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 27th 2008 11:14PM]

Coming soon, June 2009.

[Fatima @ Sep 27th 2008 11:27PM]

I dont need MMS, I have email. And most everyone now has phones with email. So don't give me that BS about sending MMS to non smartphones. Voice Dialing while cool, i never used it on my old windows phone. I'd rather just search(great on iPhone) then look like a retard who needs to speak to his phone. Besides its annoying if everyone started speaking to their phones in public places. Bluetooth transfers and wireless sync is defenetly needed tho.

[Seth @ Sep 27th 2008 11:21PM]

Coming soon: The day the iPhone will be on par with a normal cell phone with MMS, copy & paste, Bluetooth file transfers, and voice dialing. Say Hello to iPhone (4th Generation)

[EmoChicksAreHot.....Seriously @ Sep 27th 2008 11:41PM]

That G1 is looking better every day...

[bjsguess @ Sep 28th 2008 12:33AM]

"Voice Dialing while cool, i never used it on my old windows phone. I'd rather just search(great on iPhone) then look like a retard who needs to speak to his phone."

How do you use your phone? Generally it involves speaking into the phone so the other person can hear you.

[TavisJohn @ Sep 28th 2008 12:55AM]

"Coming soon, June 2009."
For a fee of $15.00

[Cardbored @ Sep 28th 2008 1:47AM]

@fatima

My phone doesn't have e-mail

[Anand D @ Sep 28th 2008 2:05AM]

@fatima

Which planet do you live if you think most everybody's phone supports email!

[Greg @ Sep 28th 2008 2:12AM]

@ Fatima

Sending pictures out with email from the iPhone is an OK workaround, however there is no feasible workaround for RECEIVING MMS messages on the iPhone. Most people that I know aren't going to think to address the picture to an email address in order to send it to me (actually, I've told them to and they still don't).
It is very annoying having to go back and forth between the text message with the "message ID" and "password" and Safari (viewmymessage.com) in order to see a simple picture that someone has MMSed me.

Apple really needs to get on the whole MMS thing...most cellphones for the last 7+ years have at least been able to receive them!

[tpadekar @ Sep 28th 2008 2:28AM]

@bjsguess

Voice Dialing is especially useful when you're using a headset and you're driving or doing something else where you can't/shouldn't take your eyes away. Just tap a button on the headset and it automatically calls up the voice dialing app and you speak the name. The Phone then dials the number. It's a way of being more efficient and avoiding possibly dangerous scenarios.

I take it you use a bluetooth headset while driving? It's illegal in some states in the US to operate a phone while driving... but Bluetooth headsets are legal, and this feature becomes especially useful in these scenarios!

[Rich UK @ Sep 28th 2008 4:58AM]

What is everyones issue with MMS. In yesteryear it was semi useful when camera phones have less than svga quality cameras. But now the pictures are always resized, and squashed pictures from a crap camera phone is never pretty in the first place. For one i hate receiving them. MMS will surely be obsolete soon enough, email must be the way forward, its just more universal and free!

As for copy & paste and voice dialing, i've never needed it but i understand some people do so that is ridiculous

[Kasam @ Sep 28th 2008 6:58AM]

How about an SMS character counter?! I got burned the other day when I got my sms bill! Half my messages were using more than 160 characters. And lack of forwarding SMS as well - don't get me started on that!

Also when synching with itunes - why is there a need for itunes/iphone wanting to backup your iphone EVERY TIME? Better management of backups please!

[simon @ Sep 28th 2008 1:29PM]

@Fatima

There are far more phones out there without email. Some of those phones with be analogue phones with a whole lot of nothing, but many of the phones out there are less than 4 years old and will have MMS but not email... or else email will not have been set up.

I often use voice dialling on my phone. Guess what it looks compleletly natural because right after I say the name the phone dials the person and (gasp) I start talking to them through the phone.

S

[ynp @ Sep 28th 2008 2:51PM]

I'm sure you'll get mms next year. Apple will call it something else and pretend they invented it.

[bob cobb @ Sep 27th 2008 10:10PM]

I hope the screw copy/paste comment was sarcasm, because these changes are pathetic. Safari is fine, it doesn't need changes. Copy paste is necessary