First-gen iPhone owners: is the 2.0 firmware, App Store enough for you?
As the iPhone hoopla slowly dies down, there’s an interesting question I have to ask before we get back to a wider range of mobile tech coverage. Mainly, I’m looking for opinions of folks that have or had first-gen iPhones like I do. I didn’t upgrade for basic reasons (spotty HSDPA in my area, $15 more per month for data/TXT than I currently pay) and yet, I essentially have the same software as the iPhone 3G thanks to my unofficial, pre-release upgrade a day early.
I can only speak for myself of course, but I feel pretty good about my handset right now. Yes, 3G would be nice, but I have that with my USB modem and all of my other computing devices. When I need full-speed on the road, I have it, just not on my phone. It’s worth reiterating what we said prior: the updated firmware and the App Store are the bigger stories over hardware that was incrementally upgraded. I’m thoroughly enjoying the various apps I’ve installed: all free, except for that blatently-addicting monkey in a bubble game… I’m on Dramamine to combat the visuals! The device is more… "complete" is the word that comes to mind. I have additional opportunities to use it thanks to the apps, for example.
That’s just my opinion on my purchase from a year ago. I’m very curious how other first-gen iPhone owners feel. Did you keep your existing device and if so, are you still contemplating an upgrade to 3G or does the upgraded software / functionalty keep you happy? Or did you upgrade because you really had to have that faster data connection? In the end, it’s a personal choice… just wondering about the thought process here.
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COmpletely happy, not plans whatsoever upgrade, and yes the Monkey game is really a piece of work; one of the most amazing games I have ever played. Maybe next year, but definitely no time soon…
I have a jailbroken, very solid, no crashes, 16gb gen one IPhone. I can take pictures, movies, read ebooks, load apps and use it as a portable hard drive. I have access to hundreds of apps with app loader. Soooo, no new IPhone or even upgrade to 2.0 for me (yet).
I am a roadwarrior and wanted the 2.0 software upgrade so that I would not have to carry the crackberry (i hate it) and the iphone. I have no plans to upgrade. I have a 1st gen 8gb iphone, 16 gb and speed is not enough of a jump for me to justify the increase price in service & hardware. If/When it goes to 32gb I will seriously consider.
I agree super monkeyball is TOO ADDECTIVE!!!
I jailbreaked my 8GB iPhone 2G, and always felt that the apps were always just a bit lacking, and that the app store would finally bring some polish to the 3rd party apps. Luckily it did, and I’m very pleased with it. However, it’s sad to see that a lot of the apps are stupid proof of concept money grabs. Really, $0.99 for a flashlight? I’ll just open up Mail.app or a blank safari page, thank you.
However, I think that I’m going to upgrade none the less. I was filling the 8GB storage space on my phone to the limit, and once downloading half a dozen apps I wasn’t able to fit my pervious synced music and podcasts. I’ll probably upgrade to the 3G iPhone if only for the 16GB model. The other features will be fun of course :D
As for your “unofficial, pre-release upgrade” ( http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/07/im-snagging-the.html ), it’s been discovered that particular firmware was designed for the 3G iPhone, not the 2G iPhone. To be safe, you may want to perform a restore to the “Official” firmware. For more information:
http://www.macrumors.com/2008/07/11/upgrading-from-unofficial-iphone-2-0-firmware-to-official-2-0-firmware/
I don’t currently plan to upgrade… I’m very happy with the 2.0 firmware and especially the App Store, and there isn’t much in the new hardware that’s compelling. If it had video or a much improved camera, I would’ve been standing in line.
However, games really eat up the battery of the 1st gen iPhone… the new one should offer some improvement there, and if I find I play a lot of games on it, that could be enough motivation to upgrade. But hopefully I can just charge early and often and wait for something w/ video.
I’m fine with 2G iphone. I see very little benefit from a new one, and don’t want to pay additional $15 monthly for the same service. In addition, the new iphone reportedly have an inferior screen. With the 2.0 upgrade, staying with the current one is an easy decision for me, and I just hope my iphone doesn’t die until the next gen iphone becomes available.
The firmware update was a big improvement for my first-gen iPhone. I’m watching and waiting before I decide whether to upgrade. So far, the firmware update is enough for me.
Kevin,
I second Stuart Jones comment that the “unofficial, pre-release” upgrade was the firmware for the new 3G iPhone, not the 2.5G iPhone. After installing the pre-release firmware, I have since installed the correct firmware and the phone does feel a little ‘snappier’ and I have experienced fewer crashes. For example, with the pre-release firmware, the on-screen keyboard in the SMS application felt somewhat sluggish but feels normal with the correct firmware.
One more significant, but often forgotten feature of the iPhone 3G: ability to receive phone calls while using data connection rather than incoming calls being dumped into voice mail.
I’m content with my 2G iPhone.. for now. I don’t have 3G in my area so no rush there.
I’m sure I’ll upgrade right away when a killer GPS app comes out which probably will be soon.