Our weeks of obsessively checking for iPhone updates were rewarded today with software version 1.1.1. There are several changes, like a new Calculator icon (it now matches that of the iPod touch) and additional text message alert sounds.

The big news for iPhone users, however (those that survived the update, that is), is the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. Here are my impressions after spending a few minutes with it.

Look and Feel

Upon first launch, you're brought to the main screen. I had an excellent Wi-Fi connection and the store came up very quickly. Across the top are three buttons: "New Releases," "What's Hot" and "Genres." Below that are two banner ads and a scroll-able list of top releases. Flipping through the list was snappy, though it did take a second or two to draw album art towards the bottom of the list.

At the very bottom of the screen are four icons: "Featured," "Top Tens," "Search" and "Downloads."

It feels much snappier than I expected. The album art is nice and big and everything is quite legible.

Purchasing Music

I touched The Shepard's Dog by Iron & Wine (I intended to buy it anyway) and got a listing of the album's tracks. Tapping any title launches its 30 second preview almost immediately, just as tapping the price tag reveals the "Buy now" button.

I bought the album, and was prompted for my iTunes Store password. The selected music seems to "jump" down into the "Downloads" icon, and a small, red indicator slowly flashes red, indicating the number of tracks remaining.

Again I was amazed at how quickly it downloaded: 3MB and 4MB songs were taking 3 and 4 seconds.

Once the download was complete, a button for the newly-created "Purchased" playlist appeared in the upper right hand corner. Clicking it quit iTunes and launched the iPod software, where my music was ready to play. The whole process was fast and dead simple. Apple obviously contemplated (and nailed) every last detail.

Synchronizing with iTunes

Again, this was laughably easy. With my iPhone connected to my Mac, I launched iTunes and started a sync. iTunes saw and imported the new music. It also created a new, "Purchased on Dave's iPhone" playlist.

Other Features

• Live search: iTunes begins searching as soon as you start typing, which is pretty cool.
• Top Tens: Quickly jump to the top ten songs across genres, or view the store's over all top ten downloads.
• Download Extras: If an album contains extras, like a digital booklet or a video, it's described beneath the list of album tracks.

This is a very nice piece of software: Speedy, simple and similar enough to the "full"version of the iTunes Store that there's no learning curve at all. Feel free to share your own experiences in the comments.

When the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store at Starbucks launches in New York and Seattle on Tuesday, October 2nd, the coffee giant will be armed with promotions.

First of all, they'll distribute 1.5 million "Song of the day" cards across 10,000 locations. Each card will provide a free single from artists like Bob Dylan (Of course - Steve loves Dylan. In fact, Dylan's "Joker Man" will be the first giveaway), Paul McCartney and Dave Matthews via iTunes (US). They'll be valid until the end of 2007.

Also, select Starbucks locations will sell "iTunes Digital Release Cards," which allow customers to download music and bonus materials (like music videos and digital booklets) from artists like KT Tunstall and Eddie Vedder. These must be activated at Starbucks before use in the iTunes Store (US).

Finally, they'll also be selling the "Starbucks Card Plus Two"; a re-chargable coffee card that includes two free downloads from iTunes (US).

If you're unfamiliar with the partnership, the iPhone and iPod Touch will be equipped with software that can "detect" a nearby Starbucks (in participating locations), and allow customers to purchase the song playing over the store's stereo system directly from those devices. Starbucks will provide free wireless access to the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store (and only the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store - meaning you've still got to pay for wireless internet, email, etc.).

New York and Seattle will pilot the program, with more major metropolitan locations being added throughout 2008 and 2009.

In short, they're really going to push this thing. Since the launch date of the joint venture is Oct. 2nd, we probably won't see the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store on our iPhones or iPod Touches before then. Bummer.