It looks like Apple has already started sending out the beta version and SDK for the next iteration of the iPhone OS, 3.1, to developers.
The iPhone 3.0 software was released just about two weeks ago, ahead of the iPhone 3GS launch. By most accounts it’s pretty stable, though some users have been having battery issues. That’s why it’s a bit odd that Apple would iterate up to version 3.1 already, instead of something like 3.0.1, which it tends to do for minor updates and bug fixes. Could we be seeing a larger update to the OS already?
I’m told that there’s nothing much of interest in the release notes to indicate anything major that is new or changed.
Here’s the text of the email being sent from Apple:
iPhone SDK 3.1 beta and iPhone OS 3.1 beta are now posted to the iPhone Dev Center. These versions are for development and testing only and should be installed on devices dedicated to iPhone OS 3.1 beta software development. Please read the iPhone OS Pre-Install Advisory and the iPhone SDK 3.1 beta release notes before downloading and installing.
Update: I’m hearing a few reports that one change is that MMS is turned on by default. Perhaps AT&T is getting closer to turning it on as well in the U.S.
[thanks Michael]
I really need to get a MAC BOOK.
I really need a MARK AS SPAM button.
From the release notes it doesn’t appear to be nothing exciting, all bug fixes. Why did you have to blog about it?
Because he’s mainlining Kool-Aid from both Twitter or Apple.
And, honestly, it’s hard to tell which is worse — worshiping the crime syndicate in Cupertino, or worshiping the dopey celebrities on Twitter.
Needless to say, if either one formed a Jonestown cult, Siegler would be first in line to dunk his head in the cyanide tank and start inhaling.
Anyone know whats new with this version?
500 new features, 10 billion possible future downloads
Trying to figure out if we are even allowed to talk about this. The 3.0 DNA could be interpreted as being bound on all future releases.
Just installed – It has MMS turned on by default, it is in the message app to send one – having trouble getting a test image to go through
yep, heard that a couple times now, good stuff, thanks. let me know if you get it to work.
Yeah defiantly not working yet – progress bar goes to 80% and then stops – phone hangs for 1min or so then displays the red ! circles. I’m guessing AT&T has not turned this on yet. But the beta release may mean that this will be turned on soon.
exactly. what about tethering?
Nada
Does the tethering hack still work though. If I were AT&T I would want Apple to make it harder to hack.
What does the sdk have to do with mms or tethering? It’s ATT’s fault. Here in europe, mms + tethering work on my ip3G
@igniguy (sorry, the thread is too deep to respond directly)
The SDK doesn’t exactly have anything to do with MMS or tethering. This post refers to both the BETA firmware for the phone and the new development SDK. The two are almost always bundled together. When there are new API’s in the SDK, there usually needs to be some changes on the firmware to support that.
Also, AT&T is the only carrier that doesn’t allow MMS. So, Apple can’t turn MMS on by default. The fact that MMS is now on by default, it hints that AT&T will soon be allowing MMS. If all the carriers support MMS, they can turn it on my default; otherwise they can’t.
Works for me.
Finally; something technological that we get to do in Canada before it comes to the US. Rogers enabled tethering from day 1 and it is excellent with a $30 / 6GB cap.
hmmm, battery issues sounds appealing to me because since I update on 3.0 my battery last at least 30-40% less.
and btw, i figured out the best upgrade option. Im selling my iPhone 3G for 350€ and my cousine from Australia is sending me officially unlocked iPhone 3GS for 500€.
Not. Bad. At all.
this is not an upgrade, it’s business…
how ’s that not an upgrade?
don’t take him serious. Check his link and you will no why.
haha
The battery on my 3GS is just terrible. It seems it has gotten worst since I got it (on the day it came out). It barely lasts 11 hours (if I am lucky); by 8pm it is DEAD. I even switched to EDGE, lowered the brightness of my screen AND I really don’t use it that much. I definitely don’t talk on the phone, just check my email, listen to a bit of music sometimes. It is ridiculous. My iPhone 2G definitely had a MUCH longer battery life.
Its uprade for me
I guess its business when you make money from it. Or losing. Than its bad business.
I think that Apple is closing down last holes to stop dev-team (and others) from jailbreaking it. And according to last post from dev-team, it seems that Apple is getting very close to shut down Jailbreaking business.
In one way i like that. Its so stressful everytime when Apple release update and you have to go trough JB process shaking and shivering whether everything will go fine
I hope they fix the spotty wi-fi problem.
I’ve seen performance take a HUGE hit when I upgraded to 3.0 on my iPhone 3G.
Don’t see enough people talking about it, so wondering if its local to my phone/too many emails or contacts or apps… can’t find out what the issue might be. But even unlocking the phone/clicking has time lag and its basically a really bad user experience.
Is 3.1 going to have any performance related fixes?
true, my facebook was blocked for few days, other applications had strange behaviour, typing in Safari is sloooow… I was thinking maybe JB process went wrong.
If you are having such bad performance problems, your install may be corrupted. Did you install from Windows? Apple Genius told me that WIndows can corrupt the 3.0 install.
I re-installed from a mac, and all is well now, including battery drain
your facebook connect needs a little work on this page
I already got used to the fact that AT&T simply doesn’t work anywhere in Sunnyvale and that their customer service is horrendous. Ever since I installed OS 3, I have to manually select my Wifi at home as well, officially rendering the iPhone the expense I regret most this year.
Just playing around I’ve noticed two changes:
1. You can now paste phone numbers into the phone app’s dialer. This wasn’t possible under 3.0. A neat feature is that it will convert alphanumeric phone numbers into a real phone number when pasting (e.g. 1-800-FLOWERS becomes 1-800-356-9377).
2. The phone vibrates once when going into icon-wiggle mode. Handy to let you know of any accidental activations I suppose.
Anything else?
Hey Jeff is it work downloading now or waiting a while? I am a developer and had problems with 3.0 beta version the week before it came out. I don’t want that to happen again.
No problems here, but it seems like I got in early.
as you mention, hopefully they will address the battery issues with 3.0/3G –somehow the battery runs out even quicker…….how is that possible?
I have a jailbroken phone running 3.0. I can wait until apple releases 3.1 then restore my phone from backup and I should be able to upgrade without any problems huh?
Can anybody provide a link to a thread covering the Battery issues with OS3 or with the iPhone 3GS?
I’ve moved to a new 3GS (with OS3 naturally) two weeks ago and I have a feeling the battery life is shorter.
MMS is like WAP nobody use it
My brand new 32gb 3g s was giving me problems anytime i would plug in my charger, the screen would flash and go crazy. I did not want to wait for a new phone from apple so i found the website i linked to my name above and got Apple developers account access and installed 3.1 beta and this fixed my problem. hope that helps someone else.
Finally; something technological that we get to do in Canada before it comes to the US. Rogers enabled tethering from day 1 and it is excellent with a $30 / 6GB cap.
I’ve moved to a new 3GS (with OS3 naturally) two weeks ago and I have a feeling the battery life is shorter.