Apple has released the much awaited iPhone firmware 2.0 which will give you access to iTunes AppStore from your iPhone or iPod Touch after it is installed.
You can check out the instructions (after the jump) to update your iPhone with the latest firmware as it is not yet available via iTunes.
Before you proceed with the update, it might be a good idea to read the post I had published earlier in the week for all those who are confused whether to update to the iPhone firmware 2.0 or not depending on the category of iPhone user you fall under.
As per the Knowledge Base article, another important point before you proceed with the update is that iPhone firmware 2.0 will erase all the data on your iPhone but before that iTunes will offer to create a one-time media back up. Here is a snippet from the article:
“Normally if you choose to update, the iPhone or iPod touch software is
updated but your settings and media are not affected. If your device
currently has a software version prior to 2.0 (1.x) and you are
updating to software version 2.0 or later, all data on your device will
be erased in order to perform install the new software. In this case,
iTunes will offer to create a one-time media backup of your device
depending on what content is on your device and what content is stored
in the iTunes Library you are connected to. You should ensure that you
have enough free space on your Mac or PC to accommodate a backup that
matches the capacity of your iPhone or iPod touch (4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB,
or 32 GB) if you proceed with the this backup.”
In order to apply the iPhone firmware 2.0 update, download and install iTunes 7.7, click the “Check for Update” button. If that does not work, then use the following direct link (225 MB) to download iPhone firmware 2.0.
After downloading the update, you can hold the option key on a Mac or Shift key on a Windows system, then click the “Check for Update” button in iTunes (under the iPhone tab) and select the file to apply it.
Apple has listed the following changes for iPhone firmware 2.0 which you might already know about, if you have been a regular reader at iPhone Hacks:
o Third-party application support
o New App Store
+ Push email
+ Push contacts with Global Address List lookup
+ Push calendars with meeting invites
+ Passcode Policies
+ Remote Wipe
+ Autodiscovery (Exchange Server 2007)
o Cisco IPSec VPN support
o WPA/WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication
o Certificates and identities support
o Device configuration with Configuration Profiles
o MobileMe support
+ Push email
+ Push contacts
+ Push calendars
+ Bookmarks
o Mail, Contacts and Calendars enhancements
+ Mass delete and move of messages
+ Microsoft PowerPoint and iWork attachment viewing
+ Blind carbon copy (bcc) support
+ Easier POP/IMAP account setup
+ Multiple calendars
+ Display meeting invitees
+ Contacts search
+ Import SIM contacts
+ New Mail, Contacts, Calendars settings
o Save images to photo library from Safari and Mail
o Scientific calculator in landscape mode
o Parental controls/restrictions
o New languages, dictionaries, keyboards and input methods
o Turn Wi-Fi back on while in Airplane Mode
o Tapping the status bar scrolls to top of page
o Sync Google contacts with iTunes
o Bug fixes
You might also want to checkout the iPhone firmware 2.0 hacking process report.
As always do let us know if the update process went off fine (that is if you plan to update your iPhone).
Update:
Engadget is reporting that they are facing issues such as interface lag, crashing apps, hard resets, etc with the iPhone firmware 2.0 direct download links. They are also hearing rumors that the .ipsw in question was meant only for 3G phones and not for iPhone firmware 2.0. So I would recommend that you wait for the iPhone firmware to be available via iTunes. In case you have already upgraded, did you face any of the issues mentioned above, please do let us know in the comments.
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