Moto G 2nd bricked by update? - When updates go wrong

What's worse than having no updates for your smartphone? Having updates that brick your device and leave you staring at a boot screen that will never change. And that's what some Moto G 2nd gen users have been experiencing after the latest update.

Google Play gets Partial Delta Updates

It was promised a while back, but only now Google has decided to enable the partial delta updates for its  App updates on Google Play (something that might have been delayed due to some unforseen DRM issues that popped up lately).

What does this mean? That instead of having to fully download a complete App because of an update that only changed a spelling mistake on a sentence, you'll only need to download the few bytes that were actually changed. In real world circumstances, it most likely means you'll only need to download about 3MB for a 6MB App update. Something that will help both Google and us to save valuable megabytes of data traffic - especially if you're on a metered mobile internet data plan where every single precious megabyte counts.


[via AndroidPolice]

Please Don't Install This Update

As if the update sysndrome wasn't bad enough - as we accumulate more and more Apps on our smartphones and computers, rarely a day goes by without facing some kind of update popping up. And although most of the time it's due to the never ceasing "bug fixes"; some other times we can be facing a "spam-update", like the ones that remove existing features, or introduce previously non-existent ads.

But none of those beats the one that brings me here today, the "please don't install this update" updates!

I don't know what kind of tools Apple provides developers in order to manage update submissions, but clearly something is severely wrong.

If developers can access and update their update descriptions, why shouldn't they be able to instantly pull down one when something wrong got through?

Not to mention: isn't Apple's App Store supposed to be "quality controlled"? If that's the case, how can they explain such updates ever see the light of day - or, more importantly, the eyes of any user? For a company that prides itself for being user friendly, these "please don't install" updates certainly don't make it look that friendly.

Apple iOS 4.2 Now Available

The moment every iPad owner has been waiting for is here: iOS 4.2 update is now available.

Though the update is available for the iPhone and iPod touch, it's the iPad that will have more to gain: Multitasking, Folders, Unified Inbox, Game Center, AirPlay and AirPrint. (Some of which were already available for the iPhone/iPod.)

You now get  "Find My iPhone" for free, without requiring a MobileMe account (if you have an iPhone 4, iPad, and latest generation iPod Touch). This feature allows you to track down lost/stolen equipment, and you can even remote wipe your devices if it ever comes to that.

As soon as you fire up your iTunes 10.1, you should be able to download this much awaited iOS 4.2 update.

HTC Magic Sense Update

In case you've missed it: HTC Magic's firmware update is already available for all those wanting to try the sexy looking Sense UI.

As you'd expect: backup your stuff before trying it - as the upgrade process will wipe your Magic clean.

iPhone OS 3.0 Update

In case you've been living under a rock lately (but even then, if you have an iPhone, you still should know this anyway) I want to remind you should have the OS 3.0 update for your iPhone available in your iTunes by now.

Cut, Copy & Paste

Quickly and easily cut, copy, and paste text from application to application. Select entire blocks of web text with a tap. Copy and paste images from the web, too.

Landscape Keyboard

Want more room to type? Rotate iPhone to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari.

MMS

Send MMS messages and include video, photos, audio, and contact info. Even tap to snap a picture or shoot a video right inside Messages.MMS support from AT&T coming in late summer.

Spotlight Search

Find what you’re looking for across your iPhone, all from one place. Spotlight searches all of your contacts, email, calendars, and notes, as well as everything in your iPod.

Voice Memos

Capture a memo, a meeting, or any audio recording on the go. Voice Memos works with the built-in iPhone microphone or with the mic on your headset.

Improved Calendar

Create meetings via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and subscribe to calendars with new CalDAV support.

Buy Movies, TV Shows, and Audiobooks

Download movies, TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store on your iPhone.

Enhanced Stocks App

Get more at-a-glance information and view charts in landscape.

Safari Improvements

Enjoy faster performance, autofill user names and passwords, and more.

Internet Tethering

Share your Internet connection with your laptop with Internet tethering via Bluetooth or USB. Tethering is not currently offered in the U.S. and some other countries. See your carrier for availability.

Stereo Bluetooth

Connect compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones, car kits, or other accessories.

Automatic Wi-Fi Login

Log in to a Wi-Fi hotspot and iPhone automatically logs you in when you connect again.

Sync Notes

Never leave a note behind. Now you can sync all the notes you write on your iPhone back to your Mac or PC.

Parental Controls

Decide what music, videos, and apps your kids can access.

iTunes Store Account

Create and log in to one or more iTunes Store accounts directly from your iPhone.

YouTube Login

Log in to your YouTube account to save and sync bookmarks and rate favorites.

Shake to Shuffle

Give iPhone a shake and it shuffles to a different song in your music library.

New Languages

iPhone supports 30 languages and more than 40 keyboard layouts.

MobileMe Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe

Find your iPhone if you lose it and protect your privacy with Remote Wipe.

Run the Latest Apps

Run the next generation of iPhone apps, like peer-to-peer games and more.

I'll write something about it as soon as I upgrade my iPhone.


[Update]

I've just finished updating my iPhone 3G and... it definitely feels quite a bit faster.
MMS showed up only after I rebooted the iPhone, and all the new and expected features are there - unfortunately the video and voice controls are still missing (and only oficially available for the new 3GS.)
The camera app is also faster and more "instantaneous" to take photos (and low light sensitivity seems to be slightly improved - I forgot to take a reference photo to make a "before/after" comparison.)
Nonetheless this update certainly makes the iPhone feel better than it ever was and is highly recommended.

Just as a side note: bedore you update your iPhone, be sure to leave an empty app "space" in the first screen for the new voice memo app. I haven't, and I ended up with one App overflowing to the second screen (which was full) and pushing all previous apps one extra screen to the right.


And for a full rundown of the new features, be sure to check this post at theIphoneBlog which covers most of it in an excellent way.

iPhone OS 3.0

Today's highlight is Apple's iPhone OS update that was presented yesterday late afternoon.
 
So, what can we expect from the upcoming OS 3.0?

Copy Paste
At last! Copy-paste is finally coming!

You can duplo-tap over some words and easily choose a text area to copy and paste elsewhere.
If you want to undo an operation, just shake your iPhone.

Copy paste works with photos as well. You can even copy-paste several photos and send it in a single email.


Spotlight
The much need update to the "messy" nine pages app flicking arrives in the form of spotlight. An extra search page to the left of your home screen allows you to easily search most of your iPhone data: apps, contacts, places, music...
Everything will now be a lot easier to find.


Mail, Calendar and iPod Search

Besides spotlight, you can now search in most other iPhone places, like these much needed areas: mail, calendar and iPod.


3G Tethering
Apple now officially supports 3G tethering, meaning you'll be able to use your iPhone as an internet access point for your laptop or any other devices, over USB or bluetooth.
However, it's up to the cell phone carriers to allow it or not.


Landscape mode Keyboar
If you write a lot, you'll be pleased to know that you'll be able to easily write SMS, emails, notes, and everything else in landscape mode, with a larger easier to use touchscreen keyboard..



MMS
For those still using it, the iPhone will have native MMS support (though you could still send/receive it using 3rd party Apps.)
I'll continue to prefer emails tough...


SMS
SMS management has been revamped, and besides having "subjects", you can now delete one or several sms messages in a conversation.
Call list has also been enhanced.


Stereo Bluetooth A2DP audio
If you can't stand wires, you'll now be able to wirelessly stream your audio over bluetooth.


Voice Notes
No need for extra 3rd party apps. The iPhone now supports voice notes without extra hassle.

Send/receive Files
Exchanging files with neighboring iPhones will now be possible without messy workarounds.

Peer to peer
Thanks to Bluetooth, you'll be able to easily connect to nearby iPhones and exchange information between them. Multiplayer games will probably appreciate this new feature.


Push Notifications

Apple's answer to background running Apps (which they say seriously hurts performance and battery life) are push notifications - let's hope this time its for real!
Can't wait to finally have an instant messaging application that really works on the iPhone without worrying if I accidentally close it.


Developer News
Anyone can now use and embed the geolocation services and maps into their apps.
Also, there's a new VoIP framework that will make it very easy for anyone to implement voice chat into their games or messaging apps.
Rumble (vibration) feature is now open for anyone to use.
Standard API for audio recording.
Accessing your iPhone music library from 3rd party apps.


App Store
The App Store has also received some enhancements. Publishers can now offer subscribed paid content.
Any app can also use in-app store access, so you can buy additional content from within the app


How much will it cost?
This update will be free for every iPhone owner; and cost $9.95 for iPod Touchs.

It should be publicly available by June/July.

iPhone Update 2.2.1

It was about time - though this still doesn't bring us the much-need-but-continuously-ignored... (all together now) COPY-PASTE!

This firmware update for the iPhone (2.2.1) is mostly about Apple's favourite stuff, as in: "various bug fixes and improvements."

However, we're pleased to see that Safari is supposed to have improved general stability, and they fixed a problem when saving images from Mail.


I also hope one of those improvements might have to do with its memory management, so that Safari doesn't keep using up around 20MB of precious Ram when it's supposed to be closed and we need it for other memory intensive apps like games, or using VNC and Remote Desktop...

Secunia Personal Software Inspector

Although Microsoft has integrated update services included in its operating systems and software suites, a lot of people have it disabled and/or don't have a permanent internet connection.

This small Secunia Personal Software Inspector program is a valuable tool in finding critical software problems that can usually be updated with a single mouse click.

I'm not a big fan of this kind of software inspection programs, but coming from Secunia I'm willing to give it a shot..

Also available in online version.

Sketchup 7

In case you've missed it, you can now upgrade to SketchUp 7, the free 3D planning tool from Google that allows easy 3D modelling whether you're trying to plan your dream house, or just figure out a way to efficientely move your furniture around...

iPhone 2.2 Firmware Update is Out

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you'll be pleased to know firmware update 2.2 is out.

Major changes:

• Enhancements to Maps
  - Google Street View
  - public transit and walking directions
  - display address of dropped pins
  - share location via email
  
•  Enhancements to Mail
  - resolved isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email
  - improved formatting of wide HTML email
  
• Improved stability and performance of Safari  - (I sincerely hope so!)
  
• Podcasts are now available for download in iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular)
• Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops
• Improved sound quality of visual voicemail messages
• Pressing the Home button from any Home screen takes you to the first Home screen
• Preferences to turn on/off auto-correction in Keyboard settings

[First Impressions Review]

iPhone 2.2 with Streetview

The latest beta 2 version of iPhone's upcoming firmware update 2.2 has revealed some new interesting features in the Maps section.

You'll finally be able to use Streetview:

As well as have walking directions and bus information.

As for the much needed copy-paste... it remains to be seen if version 2.2 will finally implement it.

iPhone 2.1 - First Impressions

Finally we seem to have the iPhone we were expecting when the iPhone 3G was launched a couple months ago.

And if some of the issues were understandable because of the new App Store, some were completely unacceptable.


But lets get on with it...

First impression is: everything runs smoother.
You can now jump from the browser to the email, and then open the contacts without noticing annoying lags and slowdowns. Yes, even if you have 800 contacts in your list, you can now scroll through them without a problem.

Clicking on the SMS icon still takes slightly longer than I'd hope for, but it's on par with other cell phones.


Signal strength indication seems to be much more accurate than before - and showing up more powerful signals than before. I used to have "zero" 3G bars at home, and now it shows 2 or 3 bars (right now it's showing 4.)
If that's just cosmetic or real - it remains to be seen. I'll be able to tell the difference on monday, when I can test it in my workplace (which had lousy signal reception.)

As for the keyboard, I expect those slowdows to be gone, and you can also type Firefox instead of Firefix at last! :)
In international keyboars - at least in the Portuguese one - it finally stopped expanding single letter words!
When I typed just "e, a, o," all valid portuguese words, iPhone consistently corrected it to"em, as, os" which are also valid words but not what I was tryping to type - and it never learned to stop doing it.
Now it does! No more constant fixing and wasting time with it.
Other non-existing single letter words, like "q" still get expanded correctly though - that's nice!


Installing apps is speedier than ever, that will help prevent the common bricking problem (auto translated link - don't blame me for the "engrish.")
iTunes syncing is also blazing fast now - as it should have been from the start!

There are a lot less crashes also. Some 3rd party Apps that refused to start now work flawlessly. (Better memory managment I guess.) I still had one crash on an App that usually rebooted the iPhone - but no reboot this time - and its developer already told me they knew of a few bugs that might cause this issue.

You now get 2 extra reminders when you receive a SMS and fail to notice it. That's not adjustable though - it does it whether you want it or not. That's lame - they should have added extra setting in the control panel.

You now have the genius playlists as well - but I didn't go into that yet.

What amazed the most was finding that the enhanced battery life was indeed noticeable and visible!
I spent a couple of hours last night chatting with Palringo, with the iPhone always on and using WiFi - something that would suck about 20 or 30% of its battery and the battery indicator just dropped 1 pixel!
That's really amazing.

Truth be told - when I used WiFi a lot for a very long time, it was quite common for the iPhone to get noticeably warm, as if it was transmitting at full power - yesterday, you couldn't notice any warming at all, as if it was using much less power.
That's something I'll be able to figure out better withing a coupld of days.


So, most major issues seem to be finally solved. And although it took a couple of months, it's better late than never.

Now we'll have to wait and see what bugs will creep up to the top of the "urgent fixing" list.

Besides, if this firmware update was mostly a giant bug fix, I hope the next one will finally implement new and much needed features like copy-paste and a Safari ad-blocker.

iPhone Firmware Update 2.1 Available

Finally, it's out!
Firmware update 2.1 for the iPhone - the one expected to fix most major bugs in the iPhone and finally make it as it should have been at launch.

At least this time we get a lengthier description than just a simple "bug fixes":

• 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

Update yours as soon as you can.

[Update]
If you're having issues syncing your iPhone 2.1 with iTunes, see if this helps:

1. Unplug your iPhone and turn it off.
   Hold the power button at the top until the red slider appears and power it down completely.
2. Quit iTunes 8
3. Relaunch iTunes 8
4. Plug in iPhone - DO NOT TURN IT ON FIRST. Make sure it's still off completely from step 1.
5. Should sync normally

Flash Player Updates

If you haven't checked it yet, be sure to visit this Adobe webpage to check your current Flash Player version, and if required update it.

An outdated Flash player poses a very serious security risk, and I'm sure that's something you can live without.

If you use multiple browsers, like Firefox and IE, don't forget to repeat the procedure for each browser, as they use different Flash players and need to be updated separately.