In short, the title says it all, but according to the release notes it does offer quite a bit and should prove to be a worthwhile update for just about any iPhone owner.
According to the notes it “contains many bug fixes and improvements” which seem to cover most of the major complaints that users have been complaining about from the battery, dropped calls, backup times and more. This update even adds support for Genius playlist creation.
The complete list includes:
- decrease in call set-up failures and call drops
- significantly improved battery life for most users
- dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
- improved email reliability, notable fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
- faster installation of 3rd party applications
- fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes if you have lots of 3rd 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
As usual, you can find the new firmware within iTunes. Now that its here, lets just hope the it truly offers what it says it does.
![Jailbreaking news: Trick iTunes into thinking you have iPhone OS 3.1.3 [UPDATED]](http://www.iphonefreak.com/wp-content/themes/freshnews/thumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/iphone3gofficial.png&h=28&w=28&zc=1&q=80)
September 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I’ve just updated and can’t seem to find the genius support. There is no Genius icon like there is on the iPod touch…. anyone else found this?
September 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
If you look in your playlists there will be a new one there called Genius. You have to make sure to activate it on your computer before it will work on your phone. =)
September 12th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Luckily if you have an iPhone that is already unlocked you can upgrade to 2.1 but you’ll lose any jailbreaks. http://www.iphone-hacks.com/2008/09/12/iphone-21-released/
September 12th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
just updated to 2.1 wow my iphone is like a new toy no lags at all sms so fast no contacts lag 3g reception is up by two bars at work and at home. genius is up and running and missed text messages repeat after 5 and 10 mins..ok no added features this time but i have fast iphone no lags fast contacts better 3g i have not said this in a long time…. thankyou apple
September 12th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hope the iPhone update doesn’t break as many things as the iPod Touch one did ! ( http://ukmac.net/2008/09/11/ipod-touch-firmware-21-frustrations/ )
September 12th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
just to add more.. now syncs and backs up through itunes in under 15 seconds volume has increased for ringtones by at least 20% and has added more base less tinny sound.. by the hour 2.1 looking better and better i hope im not just one of the lucky few..im on o2 with 16g iphone 3g….
September 12th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Thanks for the tip… looks like u have to sync it first before Genius appears on the iPhone.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
It looks like they slightly changed the 3G logo a little bit too. Has anyone else noticed that yet?
September 12th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
to access genius on iPhone start playing a song in portait mode. The tap the album art once. The genius icon should appear in the center.
September 13th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Time and Date are not working on new firmware
September 13th, 2008 at 7:52 am
wow. The download speed is incredibly faster after this update. I love it.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Safari & apps still regularly crashing (especially Safari).
Oh, and Apple changed something that has caused my non-OEM AV cable to stop working. Thanks . . .
September 17th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Hey guy, i am currently at college and i have a problem. My College blocks me from connecting to itunes so i am unable to upgrade my phone to 2.1. I was wondering if ne1 has aim if they can hit me up on it and send me 2.1 through aim. my SN is DIGLIOisMYname. If some1 can do this i would really appreciate it.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
hey guys…is it common for this new 2.1 software to take a long ass time to load on my itunes? i have a brand new MacbookPro 250 and its takin this ad boy to a long time to load ….Any thoughts on this guys? thanks .
October 16th, 2008 at 11:16 am
’server timed out’,is the message i still get, not been able to download the new software ver 2.1,apple sucks,
October 18th, 2008 at 4:04 am
I really don’t know … is it good ? is it bad? i’ve updated my firmware to 2.1 & i’ve restored the phone 3 times in 10 days …. the phone is hanging … each time i go to the phone icon, it’s hanging and then goes out to the main menu …
I’ll give it a last shot …
October 21st, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I tried to download the iphone 2.1 from itunes like a 100 times and allways send me the error 3259.
if some one knows another way to download it, i will really appreciate it thanks
October 30th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
how can i open iPhone1,2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw after downloading..?..i download it using firefox..i alreay tried to open w/ itunes but cant update the 2.1 OS..anybody???
btw here’s the download link:http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=750
November 12th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
From where can i download firmware except itune ,
My iphone is stuck and itune is not conecting so what should i do??