iPhone Software v1.1.3 enhances Maps, SMS, more...

[AppleInsider]

At the Macworld Expo on Tuesday Apple announced a free software update for its iPhone handset that allows users to automatically find their location using the redesigned Maps application; text message multiple people in one message; create Web Clips for their favorite websites; customize their home screen; and watch movies rented from the new iTunes Movie Rentals right on their iPhone.

New iPhones shipping from the factory will include the software update and existing iPhone customers will automatically get the update for free when they sync their iPhone with iTunes, the company said.

"iPhone doesn't stand still -- we're making it better and better all the time," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "We've delighted millions of users with this revolutionary and magical product and it's great to share these improvements with them."

Maps, one of the most popular and helpful applications on iPhone, has a new interface that is simpler and easier to use and adds incredible new features such as the ability to find your location automatically. With just the tap of a button, iPhone can now triangulate your position using nearby Wi-Fi base stations or cellular towers. You can use this as a starting or ending point for directions or to find local points of interest. The new hybrid map view combines map view and satellite view so you can see major street names overlaid on satellite imagery.

Users can now also create Web Clips -- icons on the home screen that take you directly to your favorite websites, including to the exact spot you have zoomed into. Web Clips are a great way to easily track websites that you frequently check such as news, blogs, sports sites and movie listings. In addition, users can now customize their home screen by repositioning any of the icons, and even create up to nine different home screens that they can easily flick between.

iPhone's new software update also adds the ability to send the same SMS text message to multiple people, and iPhone saves a history of your text messages, so with one tap you can send a new message to the same group.



With Apple's new iTunes Movie Rentals, movie fans can rent movies on their computer, easily and quickly transfer them to their iPhone, and watch them anywhere on iPhone's 3.5 inch screen. Users can also now navigate forward or backward through their movies by chapters, select alternate language tracks and view subtitles, if available.

Pricing & Availability

The iPhone software update 1.1.3 is available immediately for free via iTunes 7.5 or later for all existing iPhone customers in the US, UK, Germany and France. New iPhone products shipping from the factory will include the software update and existing iPhone customers will automatically get the update for free when they sync their iPhone with iTunes.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[melgross]

This shows the "Apple isn't delivering on its promises to upgrade the software on the iPhone/iTouch as they said they would" crowd that Apple is, indeed, fulfilling its promises.

[Booga]

I'm a little miffed that iPhones get this for free but us Touch owners have to pay $20.

[Carniphage]

Originally Posted by Booga

I'm a little miffed that iPhones get this for free but us Touch owners have to pay $20.

There's a reason for this, but it's complicated.

C.

[success]

where's 10.5.2?

[GQB]

Originally Posted by success

where's 10.5.2?

<removed comment... mis-read question.>

[mclarenf1]

I keep hitting refresh but it still says 1.2 is the latest version. Anyone else get this downloaded yet? Granted I do live in the hill country and perhaps they are releasing areas based on what they can keep up with

[reg]

Got it! Its at the itune store. It took awhile before it saw the update. Big 162.1 MB download. The pin for my location is about 20 feet off in Maps. Cann't wait to try it on the ski slopes this weekend.

[mcloki]

20$ for something that Jailbreak will do for free. There is no compelling reason to upgrade to 1.1.3 if you have Jailbreak. Can anyone mention one?
I love my touch but this nickel and diming of faithful Apple customers has got to stop.
Hopefully after enough pressure is put on Apple they will make this upgrade available for free like every other upgrade.

And if Apple has an explanation for why I have to pay. Give it to me straight, I'm an adult, I'm sure I can handle the Sarbanes Oxley chat.

[JLL]

1.1.3 for iPod Touch is free too (a 165.5MB download). It's the extra apps that are $20 and they are a separate download.

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by JLL

1.1.3 for iPod Touch is free too (a 165.5MB download). It's the extra apps that are $20 and they are a separate download.

If that's the case, the whole thing's very misleading.

[mcloki]

So users that bought after today will get their apps updated and their software will include mail and all of these apps and people that didn't buy them will have to buy these apps. So why don't i just return my itouch under warranty and get then new apps on the new replacement itouch they give me or are they going to only upgrade the few hundred thousand people who bought touches pre Macworld with old software indefinitely?
This is going to be another PR nightmare for Apple. Because many people are going to complain about it. These apps are not bundled software. Otherwise they would be available for sale separately for iPhone users as well as old itouches.

Just do the right thing Apple make the apps available, move everyone up to the same level and move forward.

Stupid little things like this keep Jailbreak in business. There is always a bite out of the Apple with Apple. Why do they make it so hard for me to love them.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by mcloki

20$ for something that Jailbreak will do for free. There is no compelling reason to upgrade to 1.1.3 if you have Jailbreak. Can anyone mention one?
I love my touch but this nickel and diming of faithful Apple customers has got to stop.
Hopefully after enough pressure is put on Apple they will make this upgrade available for free like every other upgrade.

And if Apple has an explanation for why I have to pay. Give it to me straight, I'm an adult, I'm sure I can handle the Sarbanes Oxley chat.

That's a ridiculous comparison.

Jailbreak is an unauthorized bit of software. If it works for you, fine, but don't compare Apple to these guys. most people would rightly prefer to get it from Apple.

Reason or not, five new programs for $20 is little enough to pay.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

If that's the case, the whole thing's very misleading.

No it's not. That's exactly what Jobs said. The update is free, but the programs cost $20.

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by melgross

No it's not. That's exactly what Jobs said. The update is free, but the programs cost $20.

I'm talking about Apple's texts and so on:

[mcloki]

Originally Posted by melgross

That's a ridiculous comparison.

Jailbreak is an unauthorized bit of software. If it works for you, fine, but don't compare Apple to these guys. most people would rightly prefer to get it from Apple.

Reason or not, five new programs for $20 is little enough to pay.

They're not new.
and new touch owners don't pay for them.
So why do I not return my touch and get a new upgrade to the new apps for free?
I'll take the store credit.

[suhail]

this MWExpo was probably one of the most disappointing ones. This mediocre iPhone update is missing many basic features such as: voice-recording, video-capture, voice-dialing. WTF

[admactanium]

i'm getting MUCH better wireless performance with the update.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

I'm talking about Apple's texts and so on:

That doesn't say anything. Was that from the store, or just a blurb?

Last I looked the store was still down.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by mcloki

They're not new.
and new touch owners don't pay for them.
So why do I not return my touch and get a new upgrade to the new apps for free?
I'll take the store credit.

So, do it!

I don't really care what the reason is. Apple is allowed to sell features.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by suhail

this MWExpo was probably one of the most disappointing ones. This mediocre iPhone update is missing many basic features such as: voice-recording, video-capture, voice-dialing. WTF

No, the phone update was a very good update. Just because the features you want weren't there doesn't make it bad.

[Jensonb]

I can now confirm that ipod touch gets 1.1.3 for free.

@Melgross: It's the blurb for the App Pack download. It shows that home page rearranging, lyrics, web clips and so on are part of the App pack

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

I can now confirm that ipod touch gets 1.1.3 for free.

Just like what was said.

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by melgross

Just like what was said.

You could say that.

Except this version of 1.1.3 omits home screen icon rearranging, web clips and all the actually useful stuff.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

You could say that.

Except this version of 1.1.3 omits home screen icon rearranging, web clips and all the actually useful stuff.

A bit of the useful stuff.

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by melgross

A bit of the useful stuff.

I'm British, I can't use the Rentals which support was added for until later in the year. Which could be December. By which time I will probably have upgraded. What else got added. Oh, jack squat. They changed the dock to the iPhone kind. Really cool. That's useful cos...Um...

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

I'm British, I can't use the Rentals which support was added for until later in the year. Which could be December. By which time I will probably have upgraded. What else got added. Oh, jack squat. They changed the dock to the iPhone kind. Really cool. That's useful cos...Um...

You're British, oh, now I understand.

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by melgross

You're British, oh, now I understand.

Excuse me? Exactly what are you getting at?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

Excuse me? Exactly what are you getting at?

Just trying to see how easily upset you are, to an amused comment.

I see you are easily upset.

[mcloki]

Originally Posted by melgross

Just trying to see how easily upset you are, to an amused comment.

I see you are easily upset.

Why is the update to the appleTV free? with all of it's new functionality and the itouch update is not?

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by melgross

Just trying to see how easily upset you are, to an amused comment.

I see you are easily upset.

I'm not upset, I was just looking for clarification. I couldn't tell if you were making a Brit-joke or simply expressing renewed understanding.

I probably could have made that clearer, but I tend to write too formally in instances like this. My bad.

[drummerjd]

.....

[drummerjd]

I was under the impression that Apple was going to release at least some native 3rd party apps...
I agree that the updates were a little lame considering the wait.

[btitusjr]

Boy oh boy, cry me an ocean everyone.
Way to go apple!!! Can't wait to get home so I can update my phone!

[melgross]

Originally Posted by mcloki

Why is the update to the appleTV free? with all of it's new functionality and the itouch update is not?

I have no idea. But I don't let it bother me. Sometimes you have to be Zen about it. What is, is.

We're not talking about a lot of money, if we were, it would be different.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Jensonb

I'm not upset, I was just looking for clarification. I couldn't tell if you were making a Brit-joke or simply expressing renewed understanding.

I probably could have made that clearer, but I tend to write too formally in instances like this. My bad.

I have nothing but good will towards British, Canadian, or any other foreign posters.

But you brought up the fact that you were British, so an amused comment seemed to be in order.

[addabox]

Originally Posted by mcloki

Why is the update to the appleTV free? with all of it's new functionality and the itouch update is not?

Because the Touch is selling well as-is, whereas Apple TV needs all the help it can get.

[othello]

getting back on track...

any UK iphone users getting the location feature on google maps to work? it keeps coming back saying cannot pinpoint for me...

[mcloki]

Originally Posted by melgross

I have no idea. But I don't let it bother me. Sometimes you have to be Zen about it. What is, is.

We're not talking about a lot of money, if we were, it would be different.

If it's not a lot of money then send me and every other poster on this site 20 bucks. As I've stated before. I am an adult Apple. If there is a legal reason for you doing this then explain it to me. I'm a big boy I can handle the truth. It just doesn't make sense to me. It's inconsistent behaviour on Apple's part. And i will be the thing that is remembered from this Keynote. The MBA is nice but forgettable. It a laptop with less features and a bigger price. Nothing new here, moving on.
The $20 charge on the other hand go to the heart of how Apple treats its customers. It's going to revive the iPhone pricing change controversy.
I predict that the outcry from the internet is going to do two things.
1. Make Apple relent and offer the upgrade for free,
2. Have plenty of sites showing touch owners how to get the apps for free, thereby getting $20 worth of apps through illegal means.

3. I'm sure there will be talk of a lawsuit of some sort, but it's America so I'll mention it but discount it.

I can't argue with your Zen attitude as I try to have one as well. But sometimes you just feel taken advantage of and this is one of those times.

[suhail]

Apple can't even catchup to current iPhone hacks. I must admit though the Google maps features are nice.