WHEN I first received my iPhone 3G from SingTel in August, it came with 2.0.1 firmware installed.
Strange because a newer version - 2.0.2 - had already been released. I hesitated to upgrade as there were only minor enhancements.
It wasn't too long after that disaster struck. All my music files had mysteriously disappeared and no matter what I did, I was not able to re-synchronise them back to the iPhone.
iPhone 2.1 firmware
Free, both Mac and PC versions downloadable from www.apple.com
That evening I had no choice but to perform a full update to version 2.0.2, but only after toiling till the wee hours of the morning did I manage to restore all my files.
Even then, the problem of disappearing files and long backup times - like every time I connected to iTunes - persisted.
Imagine my relief, when after installing the newest firmware - iPhone 2.1 - a couple of weeks ago, I was brought to usage heaven.
The installation is straightforward but lengthy.
First, update your iTunes software to version 8.0 if you are now on an older version.
Then, connect your iPhone via the USB cable, and you will be prompted to upgrade your firmware to 2.1.
If it does not do so, click on the Check for Update button. iTunes will now download the software needed to update your iPhone to your computer.
Allocate at least an hour for this. Depending on the number of applications, videos, music and photos you have installed, the automatic backup process can take anything from five minutes to an hour.
Only then will the iTunes software initiate the upgrade process for your iPhone to version 2.1.
Give another 10 to 15 minutes for it. The iPhone will reboot after the whole procedure is completed.
My iPhone rebooted a couple of times and after about 10 minutes, I was presented with an iPhone with a new set of brains.
And, my, the improvements:
Software updates no longer put my iPhone in limbo, as it sometimes did before with the old 2.0 firmware.
There is no random rebooting of applications, which was also common before.
Application icons remain in the same position, unlike previously when they moved around every time I ran an update.
The backup process, which used to take hours, is now a matter of seconds.
Execution of installed applications is more stable.
Applications like the SMS tool now loads in about five seconds, compared to forever. Ditto forContacts.
No clogs in in-coming e-mail. Previously, I had to resort to a full reboot of the iPhone to receive new e-mail. With 2.1 firmware, I have yet to encounter this after a week or so.
Battery life is also improved.
Final say
Upgrading to version 2.1 of the iPhone firmware is a definite must-do because the phone is more stable, and the network reception better.
This article was first published in Digital Life, The Straits Times on Oct 1, 2008.
