Apple released a software update for both generations of the iPhone and iPod touch late Thursday night Pacific time. The update, version 2.2, features major additions to the Maps application, adds the ability to download podcasts directly from the device, and adds several more features while also offering bug fixes.
The version 2.2 update is approximately 250 MB in size and is available via iTunes by connecting an iPhone or iPod touch and clicking the Check for Updates button.
According to the Apple release notes and our own observations, the update contains the following changes:
Maps
Once in Street View, you can slide your finger to rotate the panorama. A corresponding circle in the bottom-right corner shows you where you are on the map and what direction you’re looking. You can also tap on arrows to move around on the street. There’s even a Report button to “report inappropriate content”—someone naked in a window, maybe?—to Google.
Other enhancements to maps include the appearance of addresses on dropped pins and the ability to share locations via e-mail. At the bottom of the detail view for a location, there are now three buttons in a row: Add to Contacts, Share Location, and Add to Bookmarks. Tapping Share Location will create a new e-mail with a Google Maps URL tied to the location in question.
Phone features
Apple promises that this update includes improvements to the iPhone’s telephone functionality. Those who have had issues with the phone’s reliability will be thrilled to know that Apple claims this update will lead to a decrease in “call set-up failures”—presumably those times when you try to initiate a call but end up with a “Call Failed” message—and call drops.
Apple also claims that with this update the sound quality of visual voicemail messages has improved.
Safari
According to Apple, this update improves the “stability and performance” of Safari. In addition, Safari’s interface has been streamlined so that the URL and search boxes appear together on one line, with the “http://” preface of the URL hidden away.
Podcast Support
Some other nice additions
If you’re on page seven of your home screen and realize you need to get back to that app you’ve put on page one, with iPhone 2.2 you can save a lot of time—instead of frantic swiping to get back to page one, you can just press the home button. Whenever you’re in the home screen, pressing the home button will take you back to the very first page.
There’s also a new preference that lets you turn auto-correction for typing on the iPhone’s keyboard on or off.
And bubbling beneath the surface are a clutch of security improvements.
Unmentioned additions
- Previews of screen shots now display in iPhoto; previously screen-shot images appeared in iPhoto as blank images until they were imported.
- When you delete an app from the phone, the iPhone will ask you to rate the app on a one-to-five star scale before you delete it. It’s unclear right now where that data actually goes and how it’s used. (Hat tip: @alohaglide.)
- The App Store application now displays multiple screen shots for apps, rather than just one. When you tap a screen shot in the App Store app, it brings up a slideshow of screen shots that you can swipe through to view. (Hat tip: Adam Snyder.)
Seen any new features we’ve missed? Please let us know in the comments below.
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