The AppStore icon was on the home screen, but wouldn't launch because it has not been activated as of yet. In addition to the video walkthrough, Gizmodo also posted 4 screen shots of iTunes 7.7. One of the screenshots reveal a "Look for iPhone & iPod touch Remotes" checkbox in the Advanced > General section of iTunes preferences -- something we had mentioned in an earlier post.
Found Footage: iPhone 2.0 firmware walkthrough, iTunes 7.7 screenshots
The AppStore icon was on the home screen, but wouldn't launch because it has not been activated as of yet. In addition to the video walkthrough, Gizmodo also posted 4 screen shots of iTunes 7.7. One of the screenshots reveal a "Look for iPhone & iPod touch Remotes" checkbox in the Advanced > General section of iTunes preferences -- something we had mentioned in an earlier post.
iPhone 2.0 firmware release date hidden under our noses
Since its announcement, we've all been speculating about the iPhone 2.0 firmware release date, but Apple has been hiding the date under our noses all along. "iPhone 2.0 software will be available on July 11 as a free software update via iTunes® 7.7 or later for all iPhone customers," Apple notes in the original iPhone 3G press release (8th paragraph).
Many have told me (
Thanks for the tip, Austin!
Found Footage: iPhone 2.0 Japanese keyboard demoed
The software keyboard has set Apple up to ship more iPhones to more countries without wasting time manufacturing plastic keyboards. In this video, TokyoMango demos the new iPhone Japanese keyboard from the 2.0 firmware via the iPhone SDK simulator. While I cannot vouch for the usability of the keyboard (seeing as I haven't used it, nor do I know Japanese), I can say that it looks very well designed and refined.
[via MacRumors]
iPhone 2.0 firmware goes golden master
Gizmodo and GearLive are reporting that the iPhone 2.0 firmware will go golden master (locked for shipping) this week. Golden master does not necessarily mean that Apple will ship the firmware this week (after all, Steve said that it would ship in "early July") but it does mean that the firmware and all the features are complete and ready to head out the door. Both sites seem to agree with the build number on the new firmware: 345. Gizmodo is reporting that 2.0 will boast code signing and a new encryption feature. The iPhone firmware 2.0 is definitely something on every iPhone owner's wishlist, and here's mine (you have one of these, right?):
- Super Monkey Ball (AppStore)
- New Mail features
- iWork support in Mail
- Exchange support
- MobileMe support
- Super Monkey Ball (did I mention this one already?)
- Scientific Calculator (would it be too hard to add a graphing calculator? c'mon, Apple!)
Apple releases Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.1

The Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.1 can be downloaded by using Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from Apple's Support website. Additional information about the update can be found in a support note on the Apple support website.
iPhone 2.0 firmware details and information on second generation iPhone
We've all heard the rumors that the iPhone 2.0 firmware would be out at WWDC 08, but we have received some information that begs to differ. According to the information that we have, it will be released late June/early July. This is because of Apple's deal with the cell carriers -- currently, Apple has to give the cell carriers a "first look" at the new firmware before it can ship; normally this takes around 1-2 weeks. According to our sources, the 2.0 firmware went gold master this week, which means it will be in the hands of the cell carriers for 1-2 weeks. If Apple doesn't have to fix anything in the firmware, then it will be released to the public -- otherwise, they will have to fix the problems and start the process over again.
TUAW has also learned that the original details of the iPhone 2 which were posted on Engadget are, in fact, real. The second generation iPhone will include 3G and GPS functionality and will come in a glossy-black case. We have yet to learn any details on pricing.
Update:
[photo via iPod Observer & Engadget]
iMac ATI Radeon HD Graphics Firmware Update 1.0.1
After this update is installed, you should see ROM version: 113-B2250L-259. You can download the update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) on the affected system, or by downloading the installer package directly from Apple.
Apple also notes: To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/iMac ATI Radeon HD Graphics Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.
Update Tuesday continues with Firmware Restoration CD 1.6
- Xserve (Early 2008)
- MacBook (13-inch Late 2007)
- iMac (20-inch Mid 2007)
- iMac (24-inch Mid 2007)
You can download the Firmware Restoration CD from the Apple Support downloads website for your specific Mac. These CDs are great to keep around in case of firmware install issues (especially if you only have one Mac).
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3
You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple's support website.
Please note: To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/iMac EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air EFI firmware updates
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of [MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air] computers.
You can download this update by opening Software Update on your notebook (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from Apple's support website.
Apple also notes: To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/MacBook EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0
Today Apple released an update for the Aluminum Keyboards that ship with most of their desktop systems. This update applies to both wired and wireless keyboards. Here's the information that Apple gives us: This firmware update addresses an issue with the aluminum Apple Keyboard and the aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing. The update also addresses other issues. Mac OS X 10.5.2 is required before installing this update.
Please note that as a firmware update, you must download the installer (either by downloading from Apple's website or by opening Software Update). Once the download has succeeded, you will be able to open the installer in the Utilities folder (~/Applications/Utilities/ )
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Downgrading your 2.0 iPhone from the Pink Screen of Death
I haven't played with iPhone firmware 1.2/2.0 yet, but I'm told that some developers have encountered what is becoming known as the PSOD: a pink-colored start screen that apparently replaces the "connect to iTunes" graphic you'd normally see before activation.
iPhone hacker AlJaMa wrote in with his how-to method for downgrading a 2.0 iPhone back to 1.1.4. According to AlJaMa, you can put your iPhone into restore mode, do a 1.1.4 restore (use option-Restore to pick the 1.1.4 ipsw package) and be no worse off than getting the Error 1015 we've all come to know and love. iLiberty or INdependence will kick you out of the 1015/recovery mode. The restored phone will continue to work as a phone despite the updated baseband.
AlJaMa warns that you may encounter error -2002. In such a case, he suggests you try restoring to other firmware versions until you get back to the 1015 error.
Apple seeds iPhone 2.0 beta firmware
According to our sister blog, Engadget, the iPhone 2.0 firmware has been seeded to developers. Before this update, the firmware was listed as version 1.2, but now shows up as version 2.0. Engadget says that the update didn't provide many changes: Cisco VPN tweaked, root-level mail / ActiveSync settings were changed around, but not much else.Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.3
Yesterday, Apple gave Mac Pro owners an EFI Firmware update. Here's what Apple says about the update: This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of Mac Pro (Early 2008) computers.
To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.
To download the firmware updater, open Software update or download the installer package from Apple's support downloads website.
Firmware Restoration CD 1.5
You can download the Firmware Restoration CD from the Apple Support downloads website for your specific Mac. These CDs are great to keep around in case of firmware install issues (especially if you only have one Mac).
Apple makes a note that you cannot use this CD to restore the firmware that has already been successfully applied to your system; this is used only for systems that did not successfully get a firmware update applied.













