Apple releases iPhone Software v2.1

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
Apple early Friday morning released the much-anticipated iPhone Software 2.1 Update recently billed by company chief executive as a "big update" that fixes "a lot of bugs."



What it fixes



A page dedicated to the release on Apple's website details a dozen major enhancements including:

Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls.

Significantly better battery life for most users.

Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes.

Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts.

Faster installation of 3rd party applications.

Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications.

Improved performance in text messaging.

Faster loading and searching of contacts.

Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display.

Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages.

Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts.

Genius playlist creation [Illustrated by one reader] .

How to install







Before installing the update, make sure you are using iTunes 8 [Download Link], then connect your iPhone to your computer.

When iTunes opens, select your iPhone under Devices in the Source List on the left.

In the iPhone Summary pane, click Check for Update.

Click Download and Install. Do not disconnect your iPhone until the update has finished.

Security fixes



iPhone Software 2.1 also patch six security vulnerabilities.

An application may be able to read another application's files.

Multiple vulnerabilities in FreeType v2.3.5.

mDNSResponder is susceptible to DNS cache poisoning and may return forged information.

Predictable TCP initial sequence numbers generation may lead to TCP spoofing or session hijacking.

An unauthorized user may bypass the Passcode Lock and launch iPhone applications.

Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

Other fixes



Some of the other enhancements and observations reported by readers thus far:

No sign of background push notification or turn-by-turn GPS support.

The texting memory leak problem seems to be fixed.

Apps are running a lot faster.

No scrolling lag, faster launching of SMS app.

New "3G" logo in the menu bar sans box.

Updating applications keeps their icons in place on the home screen.

App syncs still sluggish compared to media syncs.

Readers are encouraged to share their own discoveries in the AppleInsider forum thread for this article.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 314
    Installed it and it is much faster overall. I miss the old 3G logo, which they replaced without the box. I also noticed that while my radio signal is still around -95 to -101, it shows as 4-5 bars. Before 2.1, it showed it as 1-2 bars. No scrolling lag, faster opening SMS and Safari seems snappier
  • Reply 2 of 314
    Please, lets agree to use another adjective to describe iPhone software update 2.1 then "snappier".



    Remember, that was the term used to describe iPhone software update 2.0.2 to correct all the "bug fixes", and we know how beneficial that software update was in fixing all the "bugs".



    Lets not jinks it by have 50 posts saying "its snappier" is all I'm saying.
  • Reply 3 of 314
    oooh, snappier!
  • Reply 4 of 314
    I give it two snaps up!
  • Reply 5 of 314
    Around the world and back snap!
  • Reply 6 of 314
    Let's just hope people are at least happy that Apple's release notes actually describe what's being fixed this time around, instead of just saying "bug fixes".
  • Reply 7 of 314
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    I am eating a ginger snap as you all download and install 2.1.
  • Reply 8 of 314
    Do app icons keep their place when the app is being updated now?



    Also, do you have to re-sync your entire library when upgrading?
  • Reply 9 of 314
    To commemorate snappy firmware 2.1, I will be having red snapper for lunch!!
  • Reply 10 of 314
    oh snap
  • Reply 11 of 314
    I'd like to say that I'm a long time listener, first time caller ;-)



    iPhone's Contacts application loads and performs so much quicker than before the v2.1 software update that I felt compelled to register and share the good news!
  • Reply 12 of 314
    Overall the firmware seems faster, But I just dont get why apple wont do little thing to make people happy how hard would it be for landscape texting and mms? The proformence improvments are nice and for sure welcome, but comes up just a little short for me after the mess from the get go with the 3G iphone. You would thank apple would drop a few extras on us for our troubles!
  • Reply 13 of 314
    irnchrizirnchriz Posts: 1,616member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    I am eating a ginger snap as you all download and install 2.1.



    Damn, now i want some ginger snaps.



    Must go to shops..
  • Reply 14 of 314
    having a turkey, ham and swiss sub with mango snapple while 2.1 dl's
  • Reply 15 of 314
    Update also fixes the Emergency Call bug that would let you into a locked phone.
  • Reply 16 of 314
  • Reply 17 of 314
    I thought this update was supposed to include push notification features?
  • Reply 18 of 314
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by irnchriz View Post


    Damn, now i want some ginger snaps.



    Must go to shops..



    There are good! We have a box ot the office- I swear. Stopping at 4.
  • Reply 19 of 314
    irnchrizirnchriz Posts: 1,616member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dogcow View Post


    I thought this update was supposed to include push notification features?



    A couple of weeks back they dropped the push and improved a-gps out of this build. Looks like they wanted to fix the bugs and performance before adding anything else major in.
  • Reply 20 of 314
    irnchrizirnchriz Posts: 1,616member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    There are good! We have a box ot the office- I swear. Stopping at 4.



    If you stop at 4 thats major willpower. I love em with a big glass of milk and would snarff a whole pack of them.
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