How to Upgrade and Reap the Many Benefits of iPhone 2.0

By James Alan Miller on July 30, 2008 1:10 PM

Author: Damon Brown

A few weeks ago, more than a million new (and old) iPhone users lined up at the Apple Store to pick up the iPhone 3G. (As you probably know, $199 for the 8 GB, $299 for 16 GB.) Considering there were more than six million iPhone users before the new 3G model, many of the previous users opted not to pick it up - not right away, at least.

There are four reasons for this, three of which are Apple's fault.

First, the poor economy here in America. Second, the well-reported hiccups with the iPhone 3G initialization that left some customers waiting hours without an active phone. Third, the almost equally well-reported bump in service contract costs, an increase that could run customers as much as $1,700 more over the course of the two year commitment.

Finally - that which is most important to us - Apple gave the iPhone 3G's much-hyped 2.0 software upgrade to all of us. For free.

I actually missed the boat on launch day, albeit by a few hours, while waiting for iTunes to tell me when the new iPhone 3G software upgrade would be available. It won't tell you. iTunes only checks for new software about every two weeks, which means, at least in my case, I could still be waiting for 2.0.

Regardless, you can check for iPhone software upgrades anytime by plugging in your iPhone and viewing the Summary screen. It will automatically go to the Summary screen, but, just in case, you can always tap the Summary tab, the first tab on the iPhone screen in iTunes.

It will tell you 2.0 is available and ask if you want it. Say yes and it will begin a large download, about 200 MB if I remember correctly. It will take a while. There will be the traditional EULA (end user license agreement) and then an instillation, which will take probably about 45 minutes.

You'll want to leave your iPhone plugged in and undisturbed during the entire process. FYI, I actually did receive a phone call during the instillation process, and the computer asked me if I wanted to stop the process. I said "No," and it picked up where it left off.

It is a long process, but the differences to your old iPhone are swift. MobileMe and a few other ancillary programs are available, but we'll go over the immediately available ones for now.

To be frank, the first thing you will notice is that your iPhone is slower. It seems to take a bit more of a pause after a tap, and sometimes not take in a command altogether. We truly hope this is a first-run glitch, something to be corrected on further updates, and not how the phone will function permanently. Still, it is more of an adjustment than an inconvenience.

Second, embedded YouTube videos are now watchable through the iPhone. Visit your favorite video-based Web site and find a YouTube link. Previously left blank, the video link will now have a Play button at its center. Press the button and you will instantly go to the YouTube program within the iPhone. The quality and speed seems equal to videos downloaded directly through the iPhone's YouTube program.

Third, a separate new icon, Contacts, is added to your iPhone front page. (My iPhone automatically put it on the second page of icons, but it may have had to do with the number of icons I already had active.) Nothing special here, just a quick way to access your phone contacts.

Fourth, you'll notice Google Maps, a.k.a. the Maps icon on your iPhone home page, now gives more precise GPS information. No, this isn't on par with the fancy, shockingly accurate GPS on the iPhone 3G, but it is improved.

Go to Maps, and then press the blue circle icon located in the lower left-hand corner. Using triangulation between cell towers, the iPhone will create a circle around your approximate location. The higher accuracy not only makes driving directions more focused, but helps the new applications provide location-sensitive information.

Lastly, there are now three pages of 16 icons, giving you a total of 48 spaces including your basic slots for YouTube, Calendar and such. The additional space is for the 500-plus new applications available at the launch of the iTunes App Store. This number has more than doubled over the last few weeks.

You'll find the iTunes App Store available after you do the new iTunes update, which is separate from the iPhone update. It should be automatic, but go to the Help menu, then click Check For Updates to confirm you have the latest download.

Once you have the new iTunes, click on the iTunes Store and find the App Store listed in the left-hand column. It will be the last item, right under iPod Games. (The App Store is also being advertised in the three cycling pics at the top of the store.)

You'll also notice the new listing, Applications, under the Library heading in the far left-hand column that holds your Library, Store and Playlists. According to Apple, an estimated three-fourths of the 500 programs available at launch on the App Store were free, so feel free to explore and download any interesting items.