Has the iPhone 2.1 software update delivered?

When Apple released the iPhone 2.1 software update last Friday, the company promised it would fix a lot of the irritating issues that iPhone 3G users since the device hit stores two months ago. Among the promises were longer battery life, fewer dropped calls, quicker backups, and no more crashes of third-party apps.

It's an impressive list, and one that every iPhone 3G owner has been waiting for. But beyond the hype, has the software update kept its promises? Is the iPhone 3G really an improved device? Well, after a few days of tinkering, anecdotal evidence by CNET editors and readers suggests that it has. Here's what we found.

Dropped calls
I never experienced a great number of dropped calls on our iPhone 3G review model, so I deferred to a couple of colleagues for their opinion. CNET editors Dong Ngo and Nicole Lee not only reported fewer dropped calls on their iPhones, but also an improved signal in more areas. What's more, calls were more stable and connection failures were fewer.

Faster backups
Nicole and Dong also agreed that backup times are now much quicker. Nicole said her backups dropped form about 10 minutes to just 2 minutes. A CNET reader had an even better experience. His backup times dropped form three hours to just a few minutes. I noticed a big change in this area as well.

Battery life
I haven't noticed much of a change here yet, but other respondents have seen improvement. As Dong said, his iPhone nearly died during an eastbound transcontinental flight before installing 2.1. But after 2.1, his iPhone was only half dead on his return westbound flight, which lasted an hour longer.

Apps
I had quite a few app crashes before 2.1, and haven't seen any after installation.

Faster loading of contacts
Though I never timed it before, this appears to be much faster. And others agree.

3G signal
Though some people hoped the update would boost 3G reception and increase download time, that's not the case. Actually, 2.1 was supposed to bring "improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display". While this does appear to be happening--I noticed a jump of a couple of bars pretty quickly--I wonder what that really means to the user. As Dong said: "(The) 3G signal is better (as in more bars), but the speed is not much better."

What have you noticed from the 2.1 software update? Have the changes made your iPhone better?

Via Crave CNET

Android handset demo at Google Developer Day

Journalists and developers at the Google Developer Day event in London Tuesday were treated to an unexpected demonstration of the upcoming Android handset.



Mike Jennings from Google, who was giving the demonstration, covered up the phone's branding with tape, but it seemed pretty obvious that it's probably the HTC Dream. Not too much is revealed about the device itself, but we did get a sneak peek at what looks to be the final version of the Android OS.

Consensus seems to be that it's a lot more polished than previous demonstrations, and though we can't tell too much from the blurry video, it looks to be true. It definitely got us ramped up again for the eventual release of the device. Check out this YouTube video someone captured of the demo, and see for yourself.

Via Crave CNET | Source:Gizmodo and TechRadar

Future Sony Ericsson Xperia phones may not do Windows Mobile

Oh, snap. On Monday, Sony Ericsson kicked off its digital marketing campaign for its Xperia X1 smart phone, but the most interesting news to come out of the launch is that future Xperia models may not use Windows Mobile. Magnus Andersson, product manager for the X1, said, "The brand is not tied into any specific technical platform," but did not expand on what other mobile operating systems the company may consider.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 made quite a splash at GSMA 2008, not just for its unique panel interface but also for the fact that it was the company's first Windows Mobile device. (Previous Sony Ericsson smart phones used Symbian's UIQ OS.) Not sure what it means that Sony Ericsson is already considering other operating systems before the Xperia X1 has even shipped, but it doesn't look all that good for Microsoft.

One other noteworthy tidbit: According to a company spokeswoman, there will be announcement on November 3 for the North American market, so mark your calendars. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden will be able to get the smart phone on September 30, while it should roll out to the rest of Europe, Asia, and Latin America in Q4.

Via Crave CNET | Source: Reuters

Hype builds for Android phone launch

The launch of the new Google Android phone on T-Mobile USA's network is fast approaching, but will the phone live up to its hype?

T-Mobile USA is expected to announce the new phone, called the Dream, on September 23. And it is expected to start selling the device, which is made by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, sometime in October.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that sources close to the manufacturer say HTC is forecasting that it will ship 600,000 to 700,000 phones by the end of the year. This is much higher than the 300,000 to 500,000 phones analysts have predicted the company will sell.

Neither HTC nor T-Mobile would comment on the story, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The phone, which will be the first to use Google's open-source Android operating system, has been hyped for months. Blogs and traditional news outlets have been reporting every rumor and leak about the device, which is expected to go head-to-head with Apple's iPhone and Research In Motion's BlackBerry smart phones.
Read more »

SingTel to match competitors' plans for iPhone 3G

SingTel already has the first-mover advantage for the iPhone 3G in Singapore and the service provider looks bent on maintaining the lead over its competitors. In an email to customers who had earlier made reservations for the iPhone 3G but have yet to purchase the handset, the operator is now dangling a carrot to match its competitors' (namely M1 and StarHub) bundled plans should they be cheaper (or better). In a nutshell, SingTel is assuring customers that its iFlexi plans are the best deals in town. Below is an excerpt of the price plan guarantee.

"*SingTel iPhone 3G Price Plan Guarantee: If you come across an advertised post-paid mobile iPhone 3G bundled price plan from another service provider in Singapore before 31 December 2008, we make sure you are not worse off for your price plan as follows:

If the included bundle of local outgoing voice minutes, local SMS and data bundle is similar and the subscription price lower we will match the bundle for local voice, local SMS, data and subscription price.

If the subscription price is similar, but the plan includes more local outgoing voice minutes, local SMS and data bundle, we will match the bundle for local outgoing voice minutes, local SMS, data and subscription price.

The matching will be for the duration of your fixed-term post-paid contract with SingTel."

The offer, which is valid until September 30, is applicable only for those who have received the emailer and is not transferable. In addition, customers must port their current number to SingTel post-paid. Should they come across a cheaper advertised rate from another telco in Singapore, they would have to send an email to iphone@singtel.com. The operator will then adjust the rates within two months.

Now, if that wasn't a preemptive strike, what is?

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