Update – August 21, 2007

iPhone 1.0.2 has just been released through iTunes, again, apparently just a bug fix maintenance release. The enthusiast community is scrambling to determine if any new features have appeared. Indeed, it is recommended that you restore your iPhone back to its factory state if you’ve applied any mods, as the update may fail otherwise. No word yet on compatibility with mods. Perhaps this update is an attempt by Apple to throttle the modification scene?

Update – August 3, 2007

iPhone 1.0.1 addresses the Audi Bluetooth connection problem as well as resolve the dealer installed iPod connector integration issues both reported here←. Now the phone remains reliably connected to the car system, plugged in or wireless. Furthermore, the audio signal now properly flows into the factory head unit, rather than through the iPhone’s speakers, when plugged in. Bravo Apple for fixing these crucial bugs first.

Update – August 2, 2007

Now that iPhone users have had a day or two to report on the undisclosed updates included in 1.0.1, according to AppleInsider→, this update does include some important fixes and improvements including:

• Call volume adjustment, making calls slightly louder
• Battery charge indicator graphic now properly indicates a fully charged battery
• Safari feels more stable, especially while listening to music in the background
• IMAP email accounts display subfolders
• Passcode lock limits increased
• VPN client improvements

So this update wasn’t as insignificant as we thought. Now, why doesn’t Apple just disclose these features rather than leave it up to the enthusiast community to painstakingly discover them?

Update – August 1, 2007

Indeed, a free software update emerged, iPhone 1.0.1, which is only a security patch and bug fix. The version numbering system is very consistent with Apple’s system of differentiating maintainance and security releases from feature updates. The only reported “feature” included in 1.0.1 seems to be the ability to automatically Bcc: oneself on outgoing mail. I’ve never understood why people do this. Because of this high-priority 1.0.1 update, we’re more cautiously expecting a 1.1 feature update in early Fall, to coincide with the release of Leopard. }

Original Post – July 31, 2007

According to Apple’s VP of iPod Product Marketing, Greg Joswiak, via AppleInsider→, the first free software update for the iPhone should be available shortly. Analyst Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital Markets speculates that the update will include the following features (our further speculations in parenthesis):

1. Chat (iChat?)
2. Picture Messaging (MMS support!)
3. Social Networking (Bluetooth local-area connectivity? MySpace or Facebook applications? SMS-based social tools?)
4. Location-based services (More Google applications?)
5. Home Networking (AirTunes or Apple TV support?)
6. OS X Leopard Integration (More flexible sync services? Disk mode? Dock remote?)

In addition, the predictions continue to express skepticism that 3G network services will arrive anytime soon, with the GSM/EDGE capabilities targeted towards the European launch of the device, despite the far greater prevalence of wireless broadband services and features across the pond. Battery life and form factor issues are cited for the implementation delay. Indeed, Apple is loathe to do anything less than perfectly, as the iPhone itself epitomizes: better to wait and shock the market with product excellence rather than peddle to the mediocracy.

Most notably absent from this prediction is an announcement of a Flash Player for the iPhone’s Safari browser. As any user who frequently browses the web can attest, there is simply too much Flash content out there to consider iPhone a complete web device until the Flash Player arrives.