Filed under: Software Update, iPhone, MobileMe
With the iPhone 3.1 update little things mean a lot
Sometimes it's the smallest thing in a software update that means the most to some users. This latest iPhone update contains a few little gems that should not be lost in all the excitement over new iPod hardware.One of the nicest additions is the ability to remotely lock your iPhone if you're a MobileMe subscriber. It could be very helpful if you've left it somewhere and are not sure where, or you know it's stolen but don't want to wipe all your content in case the phone is quickly recovered. This doesn't replace the very welcome remote wipe feature, but it is a nice add-on.
The place to activate the remote lock is on your MobileMe settings page, which you can access from a web browser. You can give a four digit code, and if your phone is turned on it will immediately lock. You will also get a confirmation e-mail from Apple.
One item to note, once you have done this, it is not a one-time thing. When you get your phone back and you unlock it, it will lock up again when your auto-lock activates unless you turn the feature off in your iPhone settings. I tested the remote lock function, and it worked as advertised.
Another worthwhile addition in the iPhone 3.1 software is the ability, finally, to use Bluetooth voice commands with a Bluetooth headset. This feature should have been included in the iPhone 3.0 software, but I am glad to see Apple address this obvious shortcoming,
With my Jabra Bluetooth headset I could initiate a voice call without any problem. I also asked the phone what song is playing and got the correct answer, but the voice responded through the phone and not the headset. No big thing.
It's nice to see Apple cleaning up some of these little issues as the iPhone moves forward. Wonder where it will be in a year?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
huth.sebastian said 7:20AM on 9-10-2009
I just hope it improves my battery life, I still have a 1G iPhone, and before 3.0, I was able to get two, sometimes three days out of it, now with 3.0 it hardly makes it through the day, even if I don't use it at all.
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Boilerblues said 8:33AM on 9-10-2009
That is likely because lithium batteries have a limited number of recharge cycles. Every lithum battery is going to hold a lot less charge after 2 years. Not saying that the 3.0 software isn't a bigger drain, but your most likely culprit is the limited life of the battery.
PK said 10:47AM on 9-10-2009
What Boilerblues said :)
I had a 1G iPhone, the battery of which started to quickly deteriorate in the spring, just shy of 2 years after I received it. Once 3.0 came out, it lasted only an hour or two each day, even if I had the phone off in my office as I worked. I took it to the Apple Store and they checked it for me at the Genius Bar and verified that the battery was almost dead. I paid my $75 or so to get the battery replaced and walked out of the store in 10 minutes with a brand new 1G iPhone. The battery life has been terrific since.
Dan said 7:22AM on 9-10-2009
What about the lower volume keyboard clicking sound in the 3.1 update? Is this a welcome improvement or a sudden disappointment?
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akcpe said 8:39AM on 9-10-2009
!! So i guess im not imagining it.
rg said 3:55PM on 9-10-2009
yeah, I don't like this feature either. at best it should be an adjustable volume. I miss the feedback
Michael said 7:27AM on 9-10-2009
Another little feature is that when you now turn off Location Services - you are presented with a warning that by turning off Location Services you will disable the 'find my iphone' feature - and you have to confirm to turn off GPS.
I don't know if this somehow only applies to Mobile Me members, or all iphone users.
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wase4711 said 7:28AM on 9-10-2009
avrcp doesnt work with this update..you cant advance or skip songs, and, as you said, the phone telling you what song is playing does NOT come through the headset; nor can you say "skip song" or "replay", or any other voice commands...pretty lame implementation, Apple...
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Alan Claver said 9:03AM on 9-10-2009
Perhaps headset related? With my Motorola S9 and S9-HD (essentially the same device)and iPhone 3GS 3.1 I can speak Voice Control commands after pressing the "Call" button on the headset.
The [phones shows the VC display, the headset plays the VC "beep" and I can speak a command which is confirmed in the headset audio. If I speak a command that produces a reply, I can hear that in my headset.
I'm especially happy that "Next Song" works since as was pointed out Apple Bluetooth profile doesn't support device controls except Pause.
murph said 10:47AM on 9-10-2009
+1
Still waiting on AVRCP :(
Mike said 8:02AM on 9-10-2009
A Bluetooth feature I'm waiting for is the ability to pair the iPhone with a Mac then use the Mac for making calls and composing text messages.
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jmillsted said 8:31AM on 9-10-2009
I think the photos app on the iPhone needs to be brought in line with the organisation of iPhoto, syncing all events (no faces/albums) is the only way to get a sensible library onto your iPhone, having just a list of events isn't really the most they could get out of it in my opinion.
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Johnny said 11:48AM on 9-10-2009
I've thought the same thing. The iPod app is almost better than iTunes in some ways and I think they could do the same for Photos.
Johnny said 11:51AM on 9-10-2009
At least movies will transfer back to the iPhone library now. I found it really annoying before how once you removed a movie from the camera roll, there was no way to get it back from iPhoto.
Axistek said 9:01AM on 9-10-2009
I updated my iPhone to 3.1 but I have no idea how to initiate a voice call through Bluetooth using my Jawbone. Any help?
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Hudson Peralta said 12:57PM on 9-10-2009
http://www.apple.com/iphone/how-to/#phone.voice-dialing
Hold down the button on the back of the headset for 1 second.
Don said 9:00AM on 9-10-2009
Any word whether the update cripples the tethering hack that was made available in 3.0? I remember that the 3.1 beta did. Any info would be helpful.
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SCOTT said 2:25PM on 9-10-2009
@don...YES IT DOES...I am so mad...I wanted to use the organize the apps option in iTunes and I had to update to 3.1 to use it
and now I went to the Tethering in Network prefs and turned it on...and it asked me USB or turn on Bluetooth...I said USB and then it went back to the previous menu and then disappeared...like it was never there
and then I went back to help.ben.at (I think) and downloaded the config file and it would not install...nothing...but the site says they are working on a new one...I hope soon...because I am moving next week and it will be prob a week before I will have broadband/WiFi in the new place
I am so upset
SCOTT said 2:23PM on 9-10-2009
@Don.
YES IT DOES
Aaron said 9:09AM on 9-10-2009
I know that Exchange is technically Microsoft and thus verboten here, but 3.1 nuked my Exchange connection due to encryption requirements. small thing, means a lot...
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