Over-the-air notes syncing option disappears from iPhone 3G in iOS 4.1
For the iPhone 3G, the biggest new feature for many users under iOS 4.1 is the phone now actually works. Making the iPhone 3G usable under iOS 4 came with some trade-offs before the new OS was even released -- app multitasking and wallpapers didn't make the cut on the older iPhone -- but it looks like a couple more features have been pruned from the iPhone 3G after iOS 4.1.One missing feature we noticed right away: Spotlight no longer searches through MMS messages on the iPhone 3G after the iOS 4.1 update. Given that disabling Spotlight searching was the most common suggested remedy for poor iPhone 3G performance on earlier builds of iOS 4, this omission is somewhat understandable.
More puzzling, however, is another omission the folks at geek.com noticed: over-the-air Notes syncing is now missing in action on the iPhone 3G, too. Up until now, the iPhone 3G, like its newer siblings, has been able to sync Notes between the iPhone and a Mac/PC via Gmail or MobileMe rather than through iTunes, allowing for near-instant Notes updates between devices. According to Apple's support document on Notes syncing, both the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch have lost this feature. You can still sync Notes with the iPhone 3G via iTunes, but you'll no longer enjoy device-to-device updates without syncing your iPhone first.
Given the plethora of alternate apps on the App Store that offer far more flexibility and features than Apple's built-in Notes app, though, this omission is something we might never have noticed if one of our readers hadn't brought it up. We're not sure why Apple removed this feature in 4.1; it's possible that, like Spotlight searching of MMS, it was one of the things dragging down performance on the older devices. Either way, losing over-the-air Notes syncing in IOS 4.1 is a small price to pay for an iPhone 3G that actually functions properly in iOS 4.
Thanks to Jeff for bringing this to our attention.
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For the iPhone 3G, the biggest new feature for many users under iOS 4.1 is the phone now actually works. Making the iPhone 3G usable under...
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I'm a huge Mac fan. I've been using Mac's before they were anywhere near as popular as they are now and for a long time Apple could do no wrong in my eyes. However, some of the stunts Apple have pulled recently are beginning to annoy me. I can handle not getting CPU and Memory intensive features such as multitasking on my 2-year-old iPod, I just about handle not getting non-CPU intensive features, such as custom Wallpaper; but I cannot comprehend why on earth they have removed a feature that was already there and working fine? If I had known that I would loose functionality, I would never have upgraded to 4.1. What are Apple going to remove next? Audio playback? That would definitely make sure that we upgrade to the next model!
grrrrr!
syncing my notes has been the most aggravating thing i've dealt with my iphone.
September 11 2010 at 5:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf you have a car stereo with a USB iPod/iPhone interface don't upgrade to iOS 4.1. It makes your audio playback sound like a record player with a skipping needle.
September 10 2010 at 11:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHaving made my iPhone's performance for iOS4 back to normal before even upgrading to 4.1 I can confirm that Apple may have other unusual reasons why they removed the OTA synching option for Notes app.
for those who may be curious: from iTunes: restore as new, then restore from backup.
:-/
I tweeted about this days ago... is it just now making news?
I'm keeping 3.1.3 and iTunes 9 for now. I see no real reason to upgrade at this point, and I don't want to go through the bother of downgrading again.
Oh and Jason? The 80's called and they want their power curve back.
Don't hate on my curve
Of power.
You guys really need to upgrade your phone if you are stilling using a iPhone 3G.
Just from a usabilty standpoint you are way behind the power curve.
Would you like to send me the money for a new phone, plus whatever I have to pay AT&T for breaking my 2-year contract? Thanks for the "tip".
September 12 2010 at 8:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNot everyone wants, or needs, to buy new hardware every two years. I only just recently replaced my six-year-old Mac, and have no intentions of buying a new phone until next summer at the absolute earliest, and even that is dependent on how badly I want the new features.
September 12 2010 at 10:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI actually had turned the Notes synching off as I found it to be buggy. It would lose my changes sometimes at arbitrary moments. Now I backup my Notes by just sending myself an email. Much easier and more reliable.
September 10 2010 at 4:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAs long as I can still sync with Things, I'm good. At least as soon as they come out with a jailbreak.
September 10 2010 at 3:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyunrelated question -- sort of -- i can't find any info on this:
do i need iTunes 10 in order to load iOS4.1 onto my iPhone 3G?
I had to upgrade to itunes 10 to get 4.1 to show up as an update and to upgrade, so I'd say yes.
September 10 2010 at 3:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm still rocking 9 at my house (not there right now, so I'm not sure which flavor of 9 it is), and I was able to upgrade my 3G to 4.1 no problem. It told me my brother's 3GS needs it too.
September 10 2010 at 4:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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