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iPhone, iPod Touch Firmware Update, Adds Faux-GPS, Multi-SMS, and More
Posted by Lifehacker US Edition at 6:30 AM on January 16, 2008
Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote was today, and among a bevy of new hardware announcements, Apple has pushed out two very significant updates for iPhone and iPod touch users. Apple has added multi-recipient SMS (iPhone-only), faux-GPS on Google Maps using cell tower triangulation, Web Clips (i.e., bookmarks of web sites on your home screen), and home screen icon customisation via drag and drop. iPod touch users can now get the Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes, and Weather apps that came standard on the iPhone for a $24.99 upgrade (these features will come standard in new iPod touches). Hit the jump for a closer look at the new and improved features.
Faux-GPS in Google Maps
The faux-GPS feature works with both your cell signal or with Wi-Fi hotspots, which means that it will work for both iPhone and iPod touch. Of course, the accuracy and availability of this feature will vary depending on your location. Google Maps has also added the hybrid view you're likely familiar with from Google Maps on the web.Web Clips for Bookmark on the Home Screen
Also available on both the iPhone and iPod touch is the Web Clips feature, which creates icons on your home screen to launch Safari directly to your bookmark. You can create Web Clips of any site, and the home screen icon will grab a screenshot of what's visible in Safari when you create the Web Clip. Home Screen Customisation via Drag and Drop
Now that you've got all these new icons on your home screen, you're probably going to want to manage and customise their layout, right? Apple thinks so, which is why they've also added home screen customisation to this update. It works like this: Just tap and hold any app on the home screen. After a second, your home screen will go all Jello-like, with the application and Web Clip icons jiggling back and forth. Now you can simply drag and drop any icon on the home screen to any new location (including the dock) or to a new page altogether. You can also remove Web Clips by tapping the 'X' button in the corner of the icon. When you're finished rearranging apps, tap the home button to save your changes.
Multi-Recipient SMS
Multi-recipient SMS has long been supported by cell phones, so Apple's just catching up on this one. On the plus side, the multi-SMS is made to work well with the iPhone's conversation-focused SMS app, so conversations with multiple recipients should still be managed through a unified interface.
And More...
Gmail IMAP is now part of the default setup for the iPhone's Mail app, so you don't have to go through any nitty-gritty details setting up your Gmail IMAP account—you can just give your iPhone or iTouch your Gmail username and password and IMAP should be ready to go. iTunes is now doing movie rentals, which, obviously, can be synced to your iPhone/iPod touch. The iPod app will now support music lyrics, though I've yet to see this in action (the firmware update still isn't available as of this writing).Get It All Without Upgrading
As you may remember, I recently wrote about the 20 best iPhone and iPod touch applications, highlighting several applications that offer the same functionality that this firmware was to introduce. While the third-party apps don't do everything that the 1.1.3 firmware does, the 1.1.3 update doesn't do everything the third-party apps do, either. We've already got Navizon GPS for the same faux-GPS functionality, iSMS (or SMSD) for multi-recipient SMS and then some, and Customize for home screen customization and more. As I said, the new iPod will feature album lyrics, and though I haven't seen it in action yet, I also am confident at this point that it won't hold a candle to TuneWiki—but we'll see.
It sort of goes without saying that the 1.1.3 update will break any third-party apps you've already installed, so if you're running killer third-party apps that you can't (or don't want to) do without, I'd avoid this update until the iPhone hackers come out with another jailbreak method (like they've done in the past). If you've got a jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch, I'm curious to hear if you're going to update or wait for a jailbreak solution for 1.1.3, so give us your thoughts in the comments.
Tags: apple | firmware | google maps | iphone | ipod touch | ipods | itunes | mobile phones | top
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Lexx
Posted January 16, 2008 9:53 AM
My jail broken Ipod touch is absolutely perfect! I really can’t live without MSN or mail anymore and in fact it has actually reduced my time spent
Sitting in front of My computer. I can’t see anything worth updating for that I already don’t enjoy on my Ipod, so I will wait for the 1.1.3 jailbreak.
On a side note I must say that Tune wiki is an awesome app to have on your Ipod! I have even started syncing lyrics for them.
Great article guys
Lexx – NextGEN Gamers
OB1
Posted January 16, 2008 7:43 PM
Anyone in Australia had luck putting the new apps on their iPod touch. Its ridiculous that you have to pay for something that is now standard, but still, i'm having trouble buying it from iTMS.
itouchingcloth
Posted January 23, 2008 10:36 PM
i didnt have a problem, worked fine for me but, the faux gps dosnt work. i live about 6 km out of melbourne and i get an error saying "your location could not be determined". thats pretty shit considering my jailbroken iphone's locate me app works fine.
Liam
Posted February 18, 2008 7:14 AM
This Update is great but now i have paid £12.99 im not so sure as i wanted it mainly for the maps and it will not ever find my location and im sick and tired of trying ot drop the pin where i live because there is no hope of me ever getting it right. Over all im not happy with paying that amount maybe £5 but not £13.
Airhead Oz
Posted February 20, 2008 11:18 PM
For anyone in Australia who's faux-GPS didn't work, you might want to try it now, mine now works! So try yours
bdawg923
Posted 12:23 PM 15/1/08
I've always wondered this: if I jailbreak my iPod touch, do the songs, videos, bookmarks, etc., get deleted?
bdawg923
Tylas
Posted 12:18 PM 15/1/08
I would like to say hell yeah I'm gonna upgrade, but I am not sure. I am still using 1.1.1 and loving it (minus the occasional bugs I get) but I would like the tighter integration with the native iPhone apps like the google maps and whatnot.
What would be really nice is to e-mail a googlemap location or route to someone else - that would definitely be handy.
It's also good info about the SDK and downloading through iTunes - getting the people paid, but how are they going to treat the rebels, the one's that already have native programs going? Will they prefer one program designer over another or just be a wholesale "if you can make it we'll sell it"? And if you just send the source code do they own the code at that point and can they make any alteration they want or is it just going to be an okay, there's no virus' here so your good?
I don't know, just being skeptical because they still push for the damned Safari apps which are so slow and useless.
- T
Tylas
gabrielm
Posted 12:17 PM 15/1/08
The wiggle looks like something out of Yoshi's Island.
Cute, but strange...
gabrielm
LastVigilante
Posted 12:12 PM 15/1/08
So iPod touchers have to pay $20 for the 1.1.3 upgrade? Or is the apps package a separate... package? If not, then what happens when 1.1.4 rolls out for those who didn't pay the toll? Are we to be stuck in 1.1.2 forever?
LastVigilante
Myles
Posted 11:48 AM 15/1/08
I am profusely disappointed with Apple. $20 for and iPod touch upgrade, which is less than something I already have?
No thank you!
Myles
robinfrance
Posted 1:39 PM 15/1/08
Jailbreaking does not delete any media files. Just spend a bit of time finding some complete, reliable instructions, follow them closely, and you shouldn't have any problem. And no, I won't be paying 2o dollars to update the firmware so that it runs apps with less functionality than I already have...
robinfrance
wuzzled
Posted 1:29 PM 15/1/08
Wormfather--how's that work out? Then you're without your device for how long? Or waiting for a refund for how long? I'm in the same boat as the Ant, having just received a Touch.
wuzzled
Wormfather
Posted 1:02 PM 15/1/08
@The Amazing Ant:
No worries, just return it back to apple. If you are within the two weeks they cant say a thing.
Wormfather
bdawg923
Posted 12:49 PM 15/1/08
@White_Duke: Thanks. Can anyone confirm? Because this $20 nonsense is making jailbreaking look like a good option. I thought Apple was supposed to be persuading people to download their updates, not to steer clear of them while crapping all over their early adopters.
bdawg923
White_Duke
Posted 12:45 PM 15/1/08
@BDAWG923: None of your media files get deleted when you jailbreak.
White_Duke
The Amazing Ant
Posted 12:37 PM 15/1/08
:O
I just bought my touch this weekend... Why do I get the feeling that when it gets here in 2-3 days it's gonna make me pay the $20?
The Amazing Ant
x3r0
Posted 2:53 PM 15/1/08
The only real reason I jailbreak my phone is for the wallpapers on the springboard, and custom themes. I've made so many themes from my favorite icon sets, I hate giving up the eye candy to update. I might just wait until 1.1.3 is jailbroken, so we get those kick ass features, and we get to put our 3rd party apps on ;)
But again, I dunno :( I really want multi party sms and the webclips. No use for faux gps or magically re-arranging my spring board.
Deal breaker is if the lyrics are really displayed in the ipod. If they are, I'm updating right away.
x3r0
The Amazing Ant
Posted 2:46 PM 15/1/08
@Wormfather: Well, I'll have to wait until it gets here to see if they were kind enough to put the new firmware on it or not, but... I suppose I can live with my old 30GB for a while longer if they didn't.
The Amazing Ant
bellinha
Posted 2:24 PM 15/1/08
why does apple insist on punishing early adopters? :/
bellinha
dArtery
Posted 1:23 PM 15/1/08
1.1.3 REMOVES THRID PARTY APPS!!!
i upgraded my jailbroken iphone and guess what.... it took all my third party apps away. i took a hit for the guys. Let's get the next jailbreak hack going.
-dArtery
dArtery
nad
Posted 12:30 PM 16/1/08
Anyone plug an Apple Radio Remote into a Touch with 1.1.3 yet?
I'm sticking with the hack. I like being able to copy files to the Touch wirelessly.
nad
Craig
Posted 12:30 PM 16/1/08
Be warned that supposedly 1.1.3 does not allow you to downgrade to 1.1.2 so don't do the upgrade just to check out the 1.1.3 features with the intention of going back to a jailbroken 1.1.2 when you're done.
Craig
MasterWitt
Posted 12:30 PM 16/1/08
$20 for the new update for the iPod Touch, BLAH!
I already got all that, but without the updated stuff within those apps of course but I am sure these hackers will bust into the firmware and figure out how to get the features out and then release it for the 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 firmwares already out.
I am just going to stick with my 1.1.1 because I know these hackers will get inside and do what they do best. Apple needs to just give up and open up the iPhone & Touch and allow the hackers to write things the way they want. I am sure once the SDK is released, there will somewhat be some barriers on what kinds of software can be added.
I'm looking forward to either:
A)Google make their Google Docs where you can edit your docs on the iPod Touch & iPhone
OR
B)Hackers figure out a way to get a powerpoint, text & spreadsheet application for the iPod Touch & iPhone and have a way to upload them to Google.
I must prefer A but you never know.
Lots of exciting things coming for both devices in the future :D
MasterWitt
futureboy
Posted 1:30 PM 16/1/08
NAD - why would you suspect that the radio remote will work with the new firmware? Hope it does but can't try it as don't have the remote to hand.
Still no sign of the wireless sync...
futureboy
5cents
Posted 2:30 PM 16/1/08
Staying on 1.1.2 JB for the time being. Besides, given the recent price antics of Apple, it makes sense to wait it out a bit.
5cents
dirtywater99
Posted 2:30 PM 16/1/08
JAILBREAK YOUR IPHONE. It's easy, it's quick, if you somehow mess it up (very hard to do) you can just reload the original firmware. For me this upgrade was a huge disappointment. I already have "Navizon" which does the whole cell phone triangulation deal. Where is the MMS? Where is the SDK? It's only a matter of days till the hackers crack this bad larry. For now I'll stick with my 1.1.2 jailbroken thanks :]
dirtywater99
aj_robins
Posted 2:30 PM 16/1/08
I just updated to 1.1.3. The faux-GPS can be flaky. I'm currently near a hill that apparently sees multiple cell towers (from a distance), and the faux-GPS has sometimes been off by several radii (the radius of the displayed error circle) or 4-6 miles, total. It also seems to be a bit flaky where I am: I press the location button, and the busy circle spins, but my location circle is never displayed. It just spins and spins until the iPhone goes back into sleep mode.
aj_robins
nad
Posted 3:30 PM 16/1/08
@futureboy:
I didn't expect it as much as I was hoping. Someone on Apple Discussions posted that the Radio Remote doesn't work.
The Apple Website says it's compatible (by listing only the Shuffle as incompatible) It's a big disappointment for me. They could make a really cool interface on that big touch screen.
nad
rndmideas
Posted 5:30 PM 16/1/08
@x3r0: The lyrics work like a charm. I wish it would find and download them automatically, but you either have to add the lyrics manually or you can use a widget like itunes companion. I really missed the lyric display when I got the iphone.
rndmideas
phoomp
Posted 8:04 AM 16/1/08
I've been holding off on jailbreaking my Touch to see what Apple does with the SDK. The move to charge Touch owners $20 for some iPhone functionality suggests to me that they're gonna try to charge for Apple sanctioned 3rd party apps. I think I'll be jailbreaking this evening.
phoomp
robert-a
Posted 4:31 AM 17/1/08
This is outrageous! How can Apple expect loyalty from its customers if it wants to rip us off with a $20 fee to add functionality that should have been there at purchase time. This fee would be more palatable if they had clearly stated on the box that upgrades would be available for a small fee in the future. The way the incremental downloads have been perceived by me have been like the Windows Update facility that fixes problems and provides incremental functionality in Service Packs.
Apple, don't be stupid! The twenty dollars are not worth it. I purchased an iPod Touch for myself after having bought two iPod Minis and two iPod Classics (60GB) last year as gifts. After buying the iPod touch this year before Christmas, I purchased three more as gifts (3 x 16GB and 1 8GB). I will not buy other Apple products if this twenty dollar charge stands. I just think it is offensive. I feel I have been taken and the people that received my gifts will surely fee the same way.
Disgusted,
Robert
robert@thebestdwidefense.com
[www.thebestdwidefense.com]
robert-a
exitstencil
Posted 4:31 AM 17/1/08
Well, I'm now jailbreaking mine for sure. It's not that it's a $20 upgrade, it's just that you can't access the iTunes store here in Hong Kong and many other countries, so when you hear Jobbie going on about making his movie downloads global, you've got to laugh (and keep on the bittorrents...)
exitstencil
shvelmur
Posted 4:31 AM 17/1/08
I hate that apple has to kick their customers in the butt for every macworld/major announcement. I just bought an ipod a few days back for $500 (I'm in canada :( ), and I have to pay for an upgrade that does close to nothing! I would have paid $20, or even $100, if they charged me for opening up the platform. give me the SDK+dev tools+installer app for $100 or with the ADC account.
The ipod touch, can revolutionize the way we do computing, and yet apple seems to be content with being penny-wise
shvelmur
redhotchilis64
Posted 5:30 AM 17/1/08
Apparently Apple is going to release some sort of upgrade in February that will allow you to cusomize your iPod touch with Apple's permission. Like an Apple-friendly jailbreak. I heard it from a friend, so don't take my word on it. I also heard the only reason 1.1.3 was released was to wipe the jailbroken iPods back to factory settings, and there wasn't really any significance.
redhotchilis64
da5id_nz
Posted 10:30 AM 17/1/08
My iPod Touch (non-JB) was running 1.1.1. I tried to update it from work and it downloaded the update, tried to install it and then crashed by iPod or something. Next time I plugged in my iPod I got the message that i should Restore. I tried this and got the message 'iPod could not be restored. Unknown error occurred (1603).
I kept trying a few times but no dice until I upgraded iTunes to the latest version. Then it restored and updated OK but I have lost all my music, video files and photos.
So, just a warning - before you go updating the firmware, make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes.
da5id_nz
davidfbecker
Posted 10:30 AM 17/1/08
AMAZING NEWS on the iPod Touch side:
I use WMWifiRouter on my Sprint 6700 for wifi access on the go for my Touch. I upgraded to the 1.1.3 firmware, and the Google Maps app is actually able to find a real position just using my phone's shared WIFI connection! it's incredible, and pretty accurate, too. I still can't believe it..
davidfbecker
mattisimo
Posted 4:30 PM 17/1/08
@dirtywater
dunno about most of your points, but on MMS, I thought its worth sharing the work-around I've found. As iPhone does support 'rich' email, just use the email client and send MMS to your friends w/ more ordinary phones like so:
AT&T customers:
10digits@mms.att.net
Verizon customers:
10digits@vzwpix.com
T-MO folks:
10digits@tmomail.net
Sprint:
10digits@pm.sprint.com
(Honestly not too sure about Sprint or Verizon, the only ones I use w/ frequency are the GSM carriers. Sourced: [en.wikipedia.org] to back up my own memory on the CDMA folks.)
Keep in mind that most carriers still have a cap around 300 KB on their MMS platforms- pictures you send in excess of that size might hiccup.
mattisimo
jdgoal14
Posted 5:31 AM 18/1/08
I'm from Sri Lanka and i just bought the ipod touch for Christmas. Do i need an itunes account to upgrade since the payment for $20 would go through my credit card?
jdgoal14
AstroTj
Posted 12:33 PM 18/1/08
oh i knew as soon as i bought my touch this would happen. I'm pretty sure I'll upgrade. If only I could return my touch and buy a newer one with all the cool stuff already on it...
As long as it has lyrics, I'll get it. I have lyrics for 1/3 of my iTunes library.
AstroTj
ksmith0306
Posted 4:31 AM 19/1/08
I got the update for the iPhone,it's cool, but nothing like a jailbroken phone. I'm impatiently waiting for the new hack to out. I hope it's soon.
ksmith0306
Cubkatz06
Posted 10:25 PM 18/1/08
I have heard a lot about the jailbreaking, but what is it exactly. I dont want to mess up my ipod, saying i paid a lot for it. Why kind of programs can you download? Can you get limewire or shockwave?
Cubkatz06