More features in store for iPhone firmware
updated 09:20 am EST, Mon November 12, 2007
iPhone features to expand
There are many more iPhone software upgrades yet to be implemented, Apple is telling the press. While the recent v1.1.2 firmware release implemented support for multiple keyboards and languages, including two with Asian characters, a company spokesman says this represents just a small portion of what is coming. "All the complaints and feature requests we've had can be fixed and added by software upgrades," the spokesman claims. The reason owners haven't seen more features, it is suggested, is quality. "We didn't want to include something for something's sake. For the average mobile phone most people only use around 10% [of features], Apple didn't want that to happen with the iPhone."
The company has so far been unclear as to what upcoming features will include, but these may likely involve enabling features that the hardware is already capable of, such as recording video, or streaming data and music via Bluetooth 2.0. The major complaint that cannot be addressed with firmware updates is cellular speed, since 3G technology on GSM networks requires either UMTS/HSDPA or WiMAX. The iPhone operates on 2G EDGE.
An anonymous industry source hints that Apple is deliberately withholding updates to continually offer something new. "They aren't stupid. They won't want to give you everything at once," says the source. "You wait, there will be an exciting partnership with YouTube that adds video functionality and then lets you upload to the site in no time."
802.1X
11/12, 09:48am reply
At least enable 802.1X wifi authentication if that's being withheld. That should have been standard out of the box.
mjs975s
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
um... what?
11/12, 10:01am reply
802.1x wifi authentication HAS been a standard part of the iPhone since day one.
scotty321
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
1.1.2
11/12, 10:05am reply
Can you really say that Apple released 1.1.2 when it still hasn't shown up on iTunes? Maybe this update wasn't really intended for American iPhones.
NapMan
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2007
Anticipation...
11/12, 10:11am reply
can be a form of pleasure. In time, all will be revealed. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Better late than never.
Constable Odo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Agreed
11/12, 10:16am reply
There is still NO 1.1.2 for U.S. iPhones officially from Apple. Why are these sites (like MaCNN) not correcting this?
chotty
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2003
Searching contacts!
11/12, 10:36am reply
Damn it- a "Smart phone" that doesn't allow you to search your contacts- ain't a smart phone. This HAS TO BE RELEASED soon- or I'm going to go bonkers. Also- agree- it's not released until iTunes says it is- which so far- isn't happening.
David Esrati
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 1999
Not to mention...
11/12, 10:42am reply
EDGE is 2.5G, not 2G.
bravedeer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
simple-stuff...
11/12, 10:46am reply
MMS?
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
@scotty321
11/12, 10:48am reply
Obviously you're not familiar with 802.1X wifi authentication - you're getting it confused 802.11a/b/g which is different. 802.1X authentication allows for unique usernames AND passwords to authenticate wifi access rather than a shared WEP/WAP/WPA2 key. Most educational institutions and businesses use this to secure their wifi. At the time of authentication, a unique key is generated on the fly for each user.
mjs975s
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
@chotty
11/12, 10:57am reply
it is available if you choose restore and not the weird manual way of doing it. The normal way where you click restore and it goes out to Apple's server and downloads it and installs it normally.
mjs975s
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001