Today, we have two major mobile operating systems releasing updates to their platforms. First, Apple bumped the iPhone OS up to version 3.1.3, and second, Google released an update for the Nexus One which implements activates multitouch support for the phone.
Let’s start with the iPhone OS update first. As the version number suggests, there’s little to tell here; this is a maintenance update, and brings no new features. The update increases the accuracy of the battery life indicator on the iPhone 3GS, fixes a bug where some third party applications would crash on launch, and fixes a bug which caused some applications to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard.
It’s important to note that 3.1.3 breaks the jailbreak tools out there, so for you lucky ones who dared to jailbreak your iPhones: beware. I’m sure the jailbreaking tools will be updated soon enough.
The update for Android on the Nexus One is far more substantial. The biggest news is that the Nexus One now supports multitouch in the Browser, Gallery and Maps applications. It has been part of Android and several Android phones for a while now, but was mostly left inactive for the time being.
Other improvements include the addition of Google Goggles, an updated Google Maps application, and fixes for the 3G connectivity problems some people were facing. The update comes in over-the-air, so no need to meddle with annoying sync applications.
The video comes courtesy of Engadget.
What has taken Google so long in getting this out there?
Were there patent issues regarding multi-touch?
Seriously, what took so long?
Yes, the whole reason why Apple bought FingerWorks was to acquire their expertise and patent portfolio from work the founders were doing with multi-touch in the late 1990s.
Yeah but it’s pretty shaky. So Apple does take Google or Palm for that matter to court they probably won’t win, as well all know multitouch dates back to the 70s or 80s.
Fantastic if you a) pay for all mobile data or b) are on a limited data plan. Like with anything there are pros and cons to every method, unfortunately some are too narrow minded to see it.
Other than that, good work Google
Over 3G or over wifi updating is the way to go.
Why should someone have to use bloated spyware that used to be a mp3 player to update their phone??
BTW How will the Ipad update?
Heh agreed. I can’t wait until the accessibility features of Android get up to scratch and I can move off the iPhone. Still, not sure I’d want my phone updating completely automatically, at least ask me first in case it’s not convenient at that particular moment. Is this what Android does, at least for system updates? Non-critical minor updates can be done automatically but nothing that requires an os restart, for that I want confirmation. Also, not sure if any Android phones support the lower 850 mhz 3g band, anyone know? I know the Nexus 1 doesn’t.
They are on there way, engadget posted about a new Nexus one model that supports 850 MHz band as well.
Motorola Milestone does 850MHz
I was under the impression the Milestone (aka the Droid) was a CDMA phone. Are there GSM versions as well?
The milestone is the European version of the droid and therefore GSM (CDMA isn’t used outside American, and I think Japan).
Thanks, I’ll have to look into one of those.
And what happens if you start the update on WiFi and have to go out somewhere? Have to leave the phone behind? Does it automatically stop the update and pick up again later, or does it just continue on your 3G data, that in some countries you pay significantly for. Again, it’s about what works everywhere, but most people don’t give a shit if it doesn’t affect them.
Personally I like it that I can have the update downloading on my computer while I take my phone around doing whatever I please and it’s just ready to update when I sync it – doesn’t interfere with my use of the device at all that way, unlike the alternative. But then again, I actually use it as a business tool…
Edited 2010-02-02 23:29 UTC
These phones are built for internet use. To use them to their full capacity without costing you an arm and a leg you need to have some kind of flat rate plan. If you can’t get that from your provider you should probably switch provider or use some other phone.
So I guess most people with these phones will have little problem with OTA updates, at least as long as you can prevent it from ugrading or use none wifi internet services when you are abroad, where flat rate plans usually do not apply. In Android it is possible to turn off such internet access so it should not be a problem.
Any upgrade of this kind neet to take into account that loss of internet connectivity might be lost during update, and handle that somehow, either save whatever bits it allreayd downoaded, or start all over when it gets connected again. So if they have done it correctly it should be possible to turn off internet in the middle of an upgrade.
My point is that in some countries there are no such things as flat rate mobile data plans – unfortunately. This is one of the things Apple took into consideration with the iPhone. Even updating apps – it won’t update an app that is larger than 10Mb over 3G (at least in my country it won’t) because of the possible data charges involved. Like I said, those who don’t have to worry about these things don’t really care about those who do…
Capability-wise, it can be regarded as an oversized iPhone, so I assume it updates the same way as other users of iPhone OS….
Since it’s not true computer (Hi it’s me, Mister Troll) you plug it on Mac (rare cases) or PC(most cases) and use iTunes to update. Yes it will be tightly tied to iTunes just like iPod Touch. Mister Troll out and back to cave.
I think google was being a freind of apple by not implementing this and a few other things (especially with board members on apple in the past)But now apple/steve jobs is attacking google they arent holding back they did what they should have done from the start
even the g1 multi touch could have worked! And with chrome os pointed at tablets/netbooks google book deals
pushing html5 and using it to get google voice working on the iphone. Buying on2 and eventually switching to ogg theora? for html5 would be another slap back at apple.
Yeah, but they should have bought lala.com
Music is important.
Woot! Getting this update much sooner than I had thought. I wonder if the Steve Jobs comments lit a fire underneath Google’s feet.
This is another reason why you may want to hold of rooting your Nexus One. I suspect we will see a constant stream of Nexus One updates, and you wont be able to get any updates via google if you root your Nexus One.
– Greymarch
I write about technology, including the Nexus One at my website:
http://www.greymarch.com
I looked at the iPhone update and it’s certainly a good thing to get the yearly TIFF security fix out there but 251 MB for just a few items?
Apple really need to learn a better way. I’ve probably said it in the past, but thinking that 32 MB for simple Safari fixes and a restart, of course, seemed excessive, but iPhone updates require a complete replacement.
So, I’m whining (whinging, if you prefer) as it seems ridiculous, though I’m lucky not to be troubled with a dialup connection. Thank you Apple, I am your slave.
WARNING 3.1.3 iPhone and iPod Touch Firmware Jailbreak info: http://edapta.com/category/iphone-313/
I think that you missed the point. This update fixes remote system access:
http://secunia.com/advisories/27213/
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2170?viewlocale=en_US
iPhone users should update even if no other problems listed affect them.
Edited 2010-02-04 05:38 UTC
Hi still fail to see what the huge deal is about multitouch. The big problem I see with it is that you almost always need two hands to use it, which IMO is very inconvenient for a device like a phone. Now don’t get me wrong I love gestures, but I think you could implement a lot of multitouch functionality by having one modifier button and gestures. Take for example the whole pinch zoom thing. You need to hold the phone in one hand and do the pinch zoom with the other. I think a lot better way would be to have a small button on the side of your phone, which you press with your index finger for example and have the zoom activated by lets say a diagonal sweep with your thumb and the direction determines zoom in or out.