IPhone OS 2 explained

iPhone OS 2
Version Of:iOS
Screenshot Size:256px
Developer:Apple Inc.
Source Model:Closed, with open source components
License:Proprietary except for open-source components
Kernel Type:Hybrid (XNU)
Release Version:2.2.1 (5H11 / 5H11a)
Update Model:iTunes through a computer
Package Manager:App Store
Preceded By:iPhone OS 1
Succeeded By:iPhone OS 3
Support Status:Obsolete, unsupported[1]
Supported Platforms:

iPhone OS 2 is the second major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 1. It was the first version of iOS to support third-party applications via the App Store. iPhone OS 2.2.1 is the final version of iPhone OS 2. It was succeeded by iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009.

iPhone OS 2 became available on July 11, 2008 with the release of the iPhone 3G. First generation iPhones and iPod Touches running iPhone OS 1 are upgradable to this version. This version of iOS introduces the App Store, making third-party applications officially available to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Prior to the public release of iPhone OS 2, Apple held a keynote event to announce the iPhone OS Software Development Kit ("SDK") to developers. Originally it was called 1.2.[2]

Default apps

Dock

History

iPhone OS 2 was introduced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference keynote address on June 9, 2008.
iPhone OS 2 was released on July 11, 2008. It was released along with the iPhone 3G, and ran on the first-generation iPhone as well.

Features

App Store

See main article: App Store (iOS). The most notable feature of iPhone OS 2 was the App Store. Before this feature was introduced, the only way to install custom applications on the device was via jailbreaking, which was unsupported by Apple. There were 500 applications available for download at the launch of the App Store.

Mail

The Mail app had a makeover, having push-emails that provide an always-on capability. It also supports Microsoft Office attachments, as well as iWork attachments. Other new features including support for true BCC, multiple email delete, and the ability to select an outgoing email.

Contacts

The Contacts app now has a new home screen icon that is only available on the iPod Touch. Along with the release is the ability to search contacts without being searched one-by-one, as well as SIM contacts import ability.

Maps

New features were added to the Maps app in the iPhone OS 2.2 software update. Among the features added are the inclusion of Google Street View, directions to public transit and while walking, and the ability to display the address of a dropped pin.

Calculator

When the device is in landscape mode, the calculator app displays a scientific calculator. Also, the app icon is updated.

Settings

Settings now has an ability to turn Wi-Fi back on while in Airplane mode, as well as the ability to turn Location Services on or off.

Reception

Rene Ritchie at iMore said, "Overall, iPhone Firmware 2.0 is a stunning achievement that really puts the iPhone on par with the Apple II and Mac as one of the great revolutions in modern technology. It takes it beyond simple Phone + iPod, or even smartphone, and makes it the leading contender for the next great shift in computing." However, they criticized it for having stability issues and overall sluggishness.[3]

Macworld said, "The iPhone 2.0 software is full of the kind of refinements that you'd expect from a second-generation Apple product. The iPhone OS still isn't perfect, and we wish Apple has addressed some lingering shortcomings, but it's a welcome step-up for what was already arguably the best mobile platform on the market."[4]

Update price for iPod touch

The update from iPhone OS 1 to iPhone OS 2 was free for iPhone users, but it cost $9.95 for iPod touch users,[5] due to accounting rules and the need to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These accounting rules were later changed after lobbying from Apple and other software companies.[6] [7] Free copies of the iPod touch update circulated online.[8] Minor updates to iPhone OS 2 were free for iPod touch users.

Supported devices

iPhone
iPod Touch

Version history

!Version!Release date!Notes
2.0July 11, 2008Initial release on iPhone 3G
  • Adds Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Dutch, Korean, Brazilian, and Portuguese language support
  • Allows importing contacts from SIM
  • Adds BCC support in the Mail app
  • Multiple calendars can now be used in Calendar and are differentiated via color-coding
  • Calendar menu is added to Settings
  • App Store is added, allowing installation of third-party apps
  • Adds support for WPA2 and 802.1X
  • Allows enabling only Wi-Fi while in Airplane Mode
  • Allows taking screen captures
  • Adds support for SVG images
  • Allows saving pictures from Mail or Safari to Photos
  • Adds Parental Controls
  • Allows toggling Parental Controls
  • Photos taken in Camera can be geotagged
2.0.1August 4, 2008
  • Improves Contacts app stability
  • Improves Calendar app stability
  • Improves keyboard responsiveness[9]
2.0.2August 18, 2008
  • Improves cellular communication on the iPhone 3G
  • Removes the "Update All" button in the App Store[10]
2.1
2.1.1		September 12, 2008[11]
September 9, 2008		Initial release on iPod Touch (2nd generation), not released on iPhone 3G
  • Used storage space is now visible on-device
  • Updates are now faster
  • Fixes a passcode bypass
  • Increases speed of third-party app installation
  • Improves battery life
  • Improves 3G cellular strength reporting
  • 24-hour clock is now usable to UK users
  • Fixes the calculator bug where incorrect answers were reported if a calculation involved pi
  • Adds the option to erase all data after ten failed passcode attempts
  • Adds creation of Genius playlists
2.2November 21, 2008
  • Addition of Google Street View and walking and public transit directions on the iPhone[12]
  • Podcasts can be downloaded from the device, without needing to sync with iTunes
  • New option to turn off auto-correct
  • Support for Emoji, exclusive to Japanese iPhones
2.2.1January 27, 2009
  • Updates the baseband to patch a security exploit that allowed unofficial SIM-unlock of the iPhone 3G[13]
  • Bug fixes[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: iPhone OS 2 apps no longer welcome on the App Store. Nilay Patel. Nilay. Patel. June 30, 2010. Engadget. December 27, 2016. September 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055746/https://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/iphone-os-2-apps-no-longer-welcome-on-the-app-store/. live.
  2. Web site: Wilson. Ben. First downloadable application for iPhone OS 1.2 "Aspen". December 5, 2008. July 15, 2020. CNET. en. July 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716022232/https://www.cnet.com/news/first-downloadable-application-for-iphone-os-1-2-aspen/. live.
  3. Web site: iPhone OS 2.0 review. Rene Ritchie. Rene. Ritchie. Jul 14, 2008. iMore. January 1, 2017. June 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200629192710/https://www.imore.com/iphone-os-2-review. live.
  4. Web site: Review: iPhone 2.0 software update. Dan. Moren. Jul 15, 2008. Macworld. January 1, 2017. December 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181215081022/https://www.macworld.com/article/1134503/iphone2update.html?page=2. live.
  5. Web site: Cheng . Jacqui . 2008-07-14 . The Second Coming: Ars goes in-depth with the iPhone 3G . 2023-09-01 . Ars Technica . en-us . Due to differences in Apple's accounting practices between the iPhone and iPod touch, owners of the latter must pay $9.95 for the update..
  6. Web site: Foresman . Chris . 2009-09-14 . Accounting rules change could end iPod touch update fee . 2023-09-01 . Ars Technica . en-us.
  7. Web site: Elmer-DeWitt . Philip . 2009-09-16 . Accounting rule change in Apple's favor - Apple 2.0 - Fortune Brainstorm Tech . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090916202159/http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/09/14/accounting-rule-change-in-apples-favor/ . September 16, 2009 . 2023-09-01 . CNN Money.
  8. Web site: Bell . Donald . July 14, 2008 . iPod Touch firmware leak . 2023-09-01 . CNET . en.
  9. Web site: iPhone OS 2.0.1 released: what's fixed, problems applying. Ben. Wilson. December 5, 2008. CNET. June 30, 2020. May 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515131253/https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-os-2-0-1-released-whats-fixed-problems-applying/. live.
  10. Web site: Apple launches iPhone 2.0.2 update. Katie. Marsal. AppleInsider. 18 August 2008 . 2020-06-30. 2022-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20220217134611/https://appleinsider.com/articles/08/08/18/apple_launches_iphone_2_0_2_update. live.
  11. Web site: Cohen. Peter. September 12, 2008. Apple releases iPhone 2.1 update. July 15, 2020. Macworld. en. July 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716013719/https://www.macworld.com/article/1135515/iphone21.html. live.
  12. Web site: Chartier . David . 21 November 2008 . Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update (Updated) . 7 May 2023 . Ars Technica . en-us.
  13. Web site: O'Grady . Jason D. . January 27, 2009 . iPhone firmware 2.2.1 released, unlockers beware (updated 3x) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210521193942/https://www.zdnet.com/article/iphone-firmware-2-2-1-released-unlockers-beware-updated-3x/ . May 21, 2021 . June 30, 2020 . ZDNet.
  14. Web site: Krazit . Tom . New iPhone software improves Safari stability . 7 May 2023 . CNET . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "IPhone OS 2".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.