iPhone OS 2
iPhone OS 2 is the second major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 1. It was the first version of iOS to support third party applications via the App Store. iPhone OS 2.2.1 was the final version of iPhone OS 2. It was succeeded by iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009.
Version of the iOS operating system | |
Developer | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Source model | Closed, with open source components |
Initial release | July 11, 2008 |
Latest release | 2.2.1 (5H11 / 5H11a) / January 27, 2009 |
Update method | iTunes through a computer |
Package manager | App Store |
Platforms | |
Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
License | Proprietary except for open-source components |
Preceded by | iPhone OS 1 |
Succeeded by | iPhone OS 3 |
Official website | Apple - iPhone - Software Update - 2.0.0 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 12, 2008) |
Support status | |
Obsolete, unsupported[1] |
iPhone OS 2 became available on July 11, 2008 with the release of the iPhone 3G. iPhones and iPod Touches running iPhone OS 1 are upgradable to this version. This version of iOS introduces the App Store, making third-party applications available to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Prior to the public release of iPhone OS 2, Apple held a keynote event to announce the iPhone OS Software Development Kit ("SDK") to developers. Originally it was called 1.2.[2]
Default apps
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History
iPhone OS 2 was introduced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference keynote address on June 9, 2008.
iPhone OS 2 was released on July 11, 2008. It was released along with the iPhone 3G, and ran on the first-generation iPhone as well.
Features
App Store
The most notable feature of iPhone OS 2 was the App Store. Before this feature was introduced, the only way to install custom applications on the device was via jailbreaking, which is strongly discouraged and unsupported by Apple. There were 500 applications available for download at the launch of the App Store, though this amount has grown dramatically since then. Now, the App Store has more than 4 million apps and games as of 2021.[3]
Mail
The Mail app had a makeover, having push-emails that provide an always-on capability. It also supports Microsoft Office attachments, as well as iWork attachments. Other new features including support for BCC, multiple email delete, and the ability to select an outgoing email.
Contacts
The Contacts app now has a new home screen icon that is only available on the iPod Touch. Along with the release is the ability to search contacts without being searched one-by-one, as well as SIM contacts import ability.
Maps
New features were added to the Maps app in the iPhone OS 2.2 software update. Among the features added are the inclusion of Google Street View, directions to public transit and while walking, and the ability to display the address of a dropped pin.
Calculator
When the device is in landscape mode, the calculator app displays a scientific calculator. Also, the app icon is updated.
Settings
Settings now has an ability to turn Wi-Fi back on while in Airplane mode, as well as the ability to turn Location Services on or off.
Reception
Rene Ritchie at iMore said, "Overall, iPhone Firmware 2.0 is a stunning achievement that really puts the iPhone on par with the Apple II and Mac as one of the great revolutions in modern technology. It takes it beyond simple Phone + iPod, or even smartphone, and makes it the leading contender for the next great shift in computing." However, they criticized it for having stability issues and overall sluggishness.[4] Macworld said, "The iPhone 2.0 software is full of the kind of refinements that you'd expect from a second-generation Apple product. The iPhone OS still isn't perfect, and we wish Apple has addressed some lingering shortcomings, but it's a welcome step-up for what was already arguably the best mobile platform on the market."[5]
Update price for iPod touch
While the update from iPhone OS 1 to iPhone OS 2 was free for iPhone users, it cost $9.95 for iPod touch users,[6] due to accounting rules and the need to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These accounting rules were later changed after lobbying from Apple and other software companies.[7][8][9] Free copies of the iPod touch update circulated online.[10] Minor updates to iPhone OS 2 were free for iPod touch users.
Supported devices
Version history
Version | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|
2.0 | July 11, 2008 | Initial release on iPhone 3G
|
2.0.1 | August 4, 2008 |
|
2.0.2 | August 18, 2008 |
|
2.1 2.1.1[lower-alpha 1] |
September 12, 2008[13] September 9, 2008[lower-alpha 1] |
Initial release on iPod Touch (2nd generation)
|
2.2 | November 21, 2008 |
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2.2.1 | January 27, 2009 |
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Notes
- iPod touch (2nd generation) only
References
- Patel, Nilay (June 30, 2010). "iPhone OS 2 apps no longer welcome on the App Store". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- Wilson, Ben (December 5, 2008). "First downloadable application for iPhone OS 1.2 "Aspen"". CNET. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- Ceci, L. (August 31, 2021). "Number of apps on Apple's App Store 2021 | Statista". Statista. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- Ritchie, Rene (Jul 14, 2008). "iPhone OS 2.0 review". iMore. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- Moren, Dan (Jul 15, 2008). "Review: iPhone 2.0 software update". Macworld. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- Cheng, Jacqui (2008-07-14). "The Second Coming: Ars goes in-depth with the iPhone 3G". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
Due to differences in Apple's accounting practices between the iPhone and iPod touch, owners of the latter must pay $9.95 for the update.
- Foresman, Chris (2009-09-14). "Accounting rules change could end iPod touch update fee". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- Sorrel, Charlie. "The 3-G iPhone: What To Expect". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (2009-09-16). "Accounting rule change in Apple's favor - Apple 2.0 - Fortune Brainstorm Tech". CNN Money. Archived from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- Bell, Donald (July 14, 2008). "iPod Touch firmware leak". CNET. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- Wilson, Ben (December 5, 2008). "iPhone OS 2.0.1 released: what's fixed, problems applying". CNET. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- Marsal, Katie (18 August 2008). "Apple launches iPhone 2.0.2 update". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
- Cohen, Peter (September 12, 2008). "Apple releases iPhone 2.1 update". Macworld. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- Chartier, David (21 November 2008). "Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update (Updated)". Ars Technica. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- O'Grady, Jason D. (January 27, 2009). "iPhone firmware 2.2.1 released, unlockers beware (updated 3x)". ZDNet. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- Krazit, Tom. "New iPhone software improves Safari stability". CNET. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
External links
- iPhone OS 2 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 12, 2008)