Cupertino (CA) - TG Daily previously reported about new end-user features spotted in the iPhone 2.2 firmware beta 1 like the new Street View in Maps application, in addition to the modified address/search bars in Safari, and the option to turn the auto-correction feature off. The second beta, seeded to the developers last Friday, brings a bunch of additional map enhancements, including location sharing and a new transit mode with real-time car, bus and walking directions.

It is no secret that the iPhone 2.1 firmware accidentally opened up many stability issues that resulted in unexpected crashes in third-party applications, decreased overall reliability and brought security problems that exposed users to spam and phishing as well as accelerometer glitches, jerky animations and virtual keyboard delays. According to reports from users who had a chance to play with the 2.2 firmware, most these issues appear to be fixed. But there are new features that could enhance the overall iPhone user experience. The company seems to be focused on the Maps application these days, which not only received a Street View feature, but also a new Transit mode and location sharing features as revealed by iPhoneYap, a new iPhone community site.


iPhone gets G1 Android's Google Street View magic

Android's Google Street View magic is probably its biggest show-stopper. The feature combines input from an accelerometer to move the street view in real-time as you move the handset around. The iPhone firmware 2.2 Beta 2 implements this feature as well. There is no dedicated button to access the feature. Instead, you first set a location by dropping a pin on the map or choosing a location from past searches or bookmarks. If there is Street View data on Google's server for a chosen location, an orange symbol will appear next to location tooltip on the map. Tap it and the screen animates sideways to transform into a Street View of the set location.

It shows street-level photographs in the same fashion as Street View on Google Maps. You can rotate the view in 360 degrees with your finger, zoom in and out or click on arrows to advance in any direction. There are "Report" and "Done" buttons on the top of the interface, in addition to a handy navigation circle that sits in the lower right corner of the screen and shows your position on the mini-map in real-time.


Transit mode

Unlike G1 Android, the iPhone's mapping application also has Transit mode that pulls up-to-date info off the Google Transit service, like arrivals and departures, schedule times, etc. The new Directions mode features car, bus and walking icons, in addition to "Edit" and "Start" buttons to enter your start and end location. When you set a destination, the iPhone calculates the route with the public transportation types of your choice and offers step-by-step instructions broken down into several phases. Public transit options include bus and subway


Location sharing

Maps also features a new location sharing option to send your location to other iPhone users. You could also have the iPhone's GPS module locate you, then drop a pin and send your current location to a nearby friend to use as the Transit mode's destination for step-by-step instructions how to get to you. The Share Location button is found on the bottom of the screen that is revealed when you click the right arrow next to a drop pin on the map.

The feature automatically brings up a new email message with the location info in the body of a message. Assuming that the recipient has an iPhone as well, he can tap on the hyperlink in the message body, which will automatically launch Maps application and display your location.

How about MMS!!!

Oct 27, 2008 14:41     

Since i'm paying $30 a month for data, it would be really nice if I had MMS just like every other phone out there.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

sux

Oct 27, 2008 14:44     

don't you know iPhone suck?
BalaGyi report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -11

re:sux

Oct 27, 2008 18:10     

"don't you know iPhone suck?" good thing you speak fluent English! try again...
iphone user report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

another useless firmware update

Oct 27, 2008 21:17     

How about adding/fixing CRUCIAL features missing in the iphone? I have an iphone, it is a great tool, but severely lacks in features that have been around all too long. MMS Copy/Paste Ability to save pictures from the browser Ability to send Text messages to multiple people These are/would have been very simple features to implement. Given that 3rd party apps can already do some of these, We KNOW it can be done. Pick up the slack Apple.

crawlgsx report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Fix Existing Issues!!

Oct 28, 2008 05:06     

Fix existing issues before introducing new features!! -Bluetooth data transfer protocol -Copy and paste -save pictures in safari -MMS -iTunes stability on windows platform
Mr X report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

re: another useless firmware update

Oct 28, 2008 08:36     

crawlgsx, You are correct, but You can save pictures from the browser. Just press and hold on the picture. The iphone will ask you to save it. Enjoy.
skein report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Bluetooth and Contact info

Oct 28, 2008 14:55     

Something that I'm missing from my Treo is the ability to share contact information. I would love to be able to do this with Bluetooth. I'm not sure which other smartphones have this ability but I do know a lot of other Iphone users. It would be nice to share info or free applications with them. Copy and Paste and MMS are also much desired.
Brian report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

google earth...

Oct 28, 2008 16:12     

iphone already got google earth...so I am not sure you need patch 2.2 to get street view. as for iphone sux... well, it did suck...not for design or software but for the hardware's weak antenna.... weak antenna gets weak receiption and then bad 3G and EDGE reception.... I got drop calls, signal hang on 3G and won't switch to EDGE...etc etc... it does not matter how good the software is...when you got "no service" it's useless as a phone or internet device. I for sure won't trust to bring the phone on hiking....

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