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.
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
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.
Although I got the early look at the software, I did Restore with the correct firmware version last night around midnight. Definitely a little snappier.
I like having the latest gadgets hence own both an 8GB and 16GB gen 1 iphone. However I’m needing to budget so haven’t been tempted to upgrade. Like the new firmware.
Replying from my “iPhone Classic”
The new firmware is awesome, the new hardware not quite compelling enough to get me to upgrade just yet. The gps would be nice, but since I live in an edge-only area, 3G would only help when travelling.
I found my 8 GB original to be great, but I really wanted the 16. I sold my 8 on Craigslist for $300 and then bought th2 16 GB 3G. In retrospect, I would have been just as happy, but I really wanted 16 GB and the GPS is nice.
Something I never thought about and I know think is a compelling added bonus is that when using 3G (and 3G is widespread in my area) I can surf the web AND talk on the phone without WiFi. That is a game changer for this phone.
First, @Rick Huizinga: incoming calls can work like you describe *only* on 3G. If (like me) you can only get EDGE coverage, those calls will be forwarded to voice mail.
As for the OP. Let’s see… the nearest 3G hot spot is over 100 miles away, AT&T charges $10 more plus SMS charges, and I really don’t need the GPS… Jobs wasn’t even done with his WWDC keynote when I knew I’d be sticking with my current iPhone for one more year.
Maybe next year though!
The folks at work that have the 3G are definitely reporting spotty 3G signals here in the Youngstown area along with quicker battery drain (they turned off Exchange Push syncing and set it to a more reasonable 30 minutes sync), so I can only conclude that the signal bouncing from Edge to 3G so frequently is the cause.
As such, iPhone 1st generation users are in a much better situation.
3g would be nice but the fact that a year after buying iphone 1.0 i can upgrade the software and have some amazing new functionality … brings a smile to my face. seriously great job on the software, light years ahead of the rest.
I would have upgraded if 3G was available in my area. The new 2.0 upgrade has added a new shot in the arm to my Iphone. I have enjoyed my Iphone from day one and now I always going to the Apps store to see what’s new.
I now have 2 items that I use all the time – my Iphone and my Samsung Q1. If they had only offered tethering with the Iphone I would be set.
In South Africa we have 3G coverage just about everywhere (one of the benefits of having waited longer for cellular technology). However, what we DON’T have are legally unlocked iPhones… So, I had to bring in a US model, unlock it to operate on the MTN network… And, until I am certain that I can do the same using firmware 2.0 I won’t even be upgrading the firmware…
Oh, the good news is that South Africa is one of the countries that were added to the ‘new list’ of countries to which iPhones will be shipped in the future… Perhaps when it gets here, and I can get it on a regular 3G contract I’ll upgrade to the new 2.0 phone.
Until then, running an ‘iPhone classic’ with 1.0.2 firmware on the MTN network… It hurts.