iPhone 2.1 Software Update

Apple today, Friday September 12th, 2008, made available their new software update for the iphone and iphone 3g. According to apple, the update fixes many issues users have been experiencing including…

• Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls.
• Significantly better battery life for most users.
• Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes.
• Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts.
• Faster installation of 3rd party applications.
• Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third 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

This update also address several security issues. Apple even gives specific instructions on how to install the new firmware.

I am still testing this firmware and will get back to you with an update regarding my personal experiences.

Update:
My personal impressions of this new software is in the video bellow. Honestly, apple made a huge mistake shipping buggy software at launch and this 2.1 software update is what the original firmware should have been.