Software Updates

On Thursday, Apple released iTunes 9.0.2, the latest version of its media player and software hub for devices such as the iPhone and iPod touch. The new version, a 92.8 megabyte download, adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.

Apple on Thursday released version 3.1.2 of its iPhone OS for the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS handsets. The minor update reportedly fixes a handful of issues with the software. The update offers the following fixes and changes:

• Resolves sporadic issue that may cause iPhone to not wake from sleep.
• Resolves intermittent issue that may interrupt cellular network services until restart..
• Fixes bug that could cause occasional crash during video streaming.

AT&T's carrier settings update that will enable MMS on iPhones running iPhone OS 3.0 and later is now live and available for download in iTunes. To get it, just plug the iPhone into iTunes, wait for it to check for updates, and select "Download and Update" when the prompt appears.

Today Apple pushed out the first update to iTunes 9, version 9.0.1. The most prominent change since iTunes 9's release can be seen in the behavior of the green maximize button. In iTunes 9, the maximize button no longer switched iTunes into miniplayer mode and required users to option-click the button instead. This latest update reverts the button to its previous behavior.

In addition to this welcome change, the update also "resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store" and claims to improve overall performance in the app. Issues where iTunes may become unresponsive or unexpectedly quit should also be resolved in this update, at least to some extent.

AT&T has announced in a press release today that that MMS will be available for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS users in the US starting September 25th. According to AT&T, a software update will be released that day which will enable MMS capabilities. The service will be enabled for current iPhone plan subscribers on AT&T's network at no additional charge for users with a monthly text messaging plan.

A&T explains that the MMS launch was delayed while they prepared over the last several months. As they put it, "We’re riding the leading edge of smartphone growth that’s resulted in an explosion of traffic over the AT&T network."

Apple has released iPhone OS 3.0.1 Software Update which is intended to address an SMS security issue. The flaw was discovered by Charlie Miller and would allow an attacker to run malicious code sent via SMS. Initially announced at a conference in Singapore, Miller agreed to not share details of the exploit until the Black Hat security conference which ended yesterday in Las Vegas.

The update can be applied by plugging your iPhone into iTunes and using the "Check for Update" feature.

And... it's live! Apple has officially released iPhone 3.0 to the general public. It can be downloaded through iTunes by clicking the "Check for Updates" button in the iPhone source page. It's available for both original iPhone and iPhone 3G owners at no cost. iPod touch owners can get the update for $9.95.

In case you were curious, the version available in iTunes carries the same build number (7a341) as the GM developer seed.

Engadget reports that Apple will be previewing iPhone OS 3.0 at a special event on March 17th. With the new OS, Apple will also be updating a revised edition of their SDK. The event will take place at 10am PST, and is being described by Apple as an "advance preview of what we're building", so it's unlikely that they'll have it ready for release by that time, but hopefully we'll start seeing some of those features we've been waiting for.

Alongside the announcement of a redesigned iPod shuffle today, Apple has quietly announced iTunes 8.1. According to iTunes' "What's New" page, iTunes 8.1 will feature speed improvements, the ability to use "Autofill" on any manually managed iPod or iPhone, and an "Import as iTunes Plus" option. Additionally, several screenshots indicate that "Party Shuffle" has been renamed to "iTunes DJ."

Apple's Remote app [App Store] for the iPhone and iPod touch has also been updated to version 1.2 in order to add iTunes DJ support for iTunes 8.1.