Firmware is the software that runs the iPhone and provides much of its built-in functionality. This is a history of each version of the firmware, when it was released, and what it added to the iPhone.
iPhone Firmware History
iPhone OS 3.1.2
Released: Oct. 8, 2009
Added:
- Bug fixes for network connection lost and problems waking from sleep.
iPhone OS 3.1
Released: Sept. 9, 2009
Added:
- App Store Genius. Like the Genius feature for music, this tool recommends App Store programs based on what the user has previously enjoyed.
- New Ringtones. While previous ringtones were user-creatable through iTunes, users can now buy pre-made ringtones from record labels through the included iTunes Store app.
iPhone Firmware 3.0
Released: June 17, 2009
Sneak Preview: March 17, 2009
Added:
- Copy and paste
- MMS, aka multimedia messaging service; text messages with photos and videos
- Bluetooth connections between iPhones and iPod touches (the OS also unlocks the Bluetooth hardware included, but not currently used, in the second-generation iPod touch)
- Bluetooth stereo streaming
- Spotlight search functionality on the home page
- Tethering, to allow use of iPhone as modem for computers (for an additional fee)
- Background push notifications so apps can deliver content when they’re not being run
- Support for peripherals through the dock connector
- New app: Voice memos, which does what you’d expect from the name
- A revised Stocks app
- Landscape mode in mail, text, and notes
- Voice Control of phone and iPod (iPhone 3GS only)
- Notes that can sync to Macs and PCs, unlike in the current OS
- Form auto-fill and anti-phishing tools in Safari
- Shake-to-shuffle in the iPod app, a la the 4th-generation iPod nano
- The ability to rent and purchase movies, TV, and audiobooks over the air
- Parental controls and ratings for apps, iTunes content, etc.
- Find my iPhone feature for lost phones via MobileMe; includes remote deletion of data as an option
- Support for 30 new languages
- Purchases within apps now supported, works in paid apps only
iPhone Firmware 2.2.1
Released: Jan. 27, 2009
Added:
- Bug fixes related to Safari, camera roll and Mail
- Bug fixes for iPod touch related to handling AAC files
- Other bug and stability fixes
iPhone Firmware 2.2
Released: Nov. 21, 2008
Added:
- Google Street View, with driving, walking, and public transit directions
- Display address of dropped pins and share location via email
- Over-the-air downloads of podcasts from the iTunes Store
- Turn off text auto-correction
- New home screen shortcut brings you to first page of Home screen
- Bug fixes to reduce dropped called, improve Safari stability, improve mail fetching and display of HTML mail, improve sound quality in Visual Voicemail
iPhone Firmware 2.1
Released: Sept. 12, 2008
Added:
- 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
iPhone Firmware 2.0.2
Released: August 18, 2008
Added:
- Bug fixes
iPhone Firmware 2.0.1
Released: August 4, 2008
Added:
- Bug fixes
iPhone Firmware 2.0
Released: July 11, 2008
Added:
- Support for iPhone 3G
- Support for App Store and third-party applications and games
- Support for Microsoft Exchange
- Support for 3G data and GPS, when the hardware is present
iPhone Firmware 1.1.4
Released: Feb. 26, 2008
Added:
- Bug fixes
iPhone Firmware 1.1.3
Released: Jan. 15, 2008
Added:
- Location awareness
- Customizable home screen and multiple home screen pages
- Multi-recipient SMS
- Lyrics display in iPod
- Chapters in iPod movies
- Web clips
- Support for iTunes Movie Rentals
iPhone Firmware 1.1.2
Released: Nov. 13, 2007
Added:
- International Keyboard Support
- Bug Fixes
- Tacit approval for user-created ringtones
iPhone Firmware 1.1.1
Released: Sept. 27, 2007
Added:
- iTunes WiFi Music Store
- New Calculator icon
- Double-tap functionality on Home button
- TV in/out features
- Bug Fixes
iPhone Firmware 1.0.2
Released: Aug. 22, 2007
Added:
- Increased speaker volume
- Improved EDGE and WiFi reception
- Closing user-created ringtone and program holes
- Bug fixes
iPhone Firmware 1.0.1
Released: Aug. 1, 2007
Added:
- Closing user-created ringtone and program holes
- Bug fixes
