iPhone OS 2 is the second major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 1. It was the first version of iOS to support third-party applications via the App Store. iPhone OS 2.2.1 is the final version of iPhone OS 2. It was succeeded by iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009.

iPhone OS 2
Version of the iOS operating system
iPhone OS 2 running on an iPhone 3G
DeveloperApple Inc.
Source modelClosed, with open source components
Initial releaseJuly 11, 2008; 15 years ago (2008-07-11)
Latest release2.2.1 (5H11 / 5H11a) / January 27, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-01-27)
Update methodiTunes through a computer
Package managerApp Store
Platforms
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
LicenseProprietary except for open-source components
Preceded byiPhone OS 1
Succeeded byiPhone OS 3
Official websiteApple - iPhone - Software Update - 2.0.0 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 12, 2008)
Support status
Obsolete, unsupported[1]

iPhone OS 2 became available on July 11, 2008 with the release of the iPhone 3G. iPhones and iPod Touches running iPhone OS 1 are upgradable to this version. This version of iOS introduces the App Store, making third-party applications officially available to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Prior to the public release of iPhone OS 2, Apple held a keynote event to announce the iPhone OS Software Development Kit ("SDK") to developers. Originally it was called 1.2.[2]

Default apps edit

Dock edit

History edit

iPhone OS 2 was introduced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference keynote address on June 9, 2008.
iPhone OS 2 was released on July 11, 2008. It was released along with the iPhone 3G, and ran on the first-generation iPhone as well.

Features edit

App Store edit

The most notable feature of iPhone OS 2 was the App Store. Before this feature was introduced, the only way to install custom applications on the device was via jailbreaking, which is strongly discouraged and unsupported by Apple. There were 500 applications available for download at the launch of the App Store, though this amount has grown dramatically since then. Now, the App Store has more than 4 million apps and games as of 2021.[3][needs update]

Mail edit

The Mail app had a makeover, having push-emails that provide an always-on capability. It also supports Microsoft Office attachments, as well as iWork attachments. Other new features including support for true BCC, multiple email delete, and the ability to select an outgoing email.

Contacts edit

The Contacts app now has a new home screen icon that is only available on the iPod Touch. Along with the release is the ability to search contacts without being searched one-by-one, as well as SIM contacts import ability.

Maps edit

New features were added to the Maps app in the iPhone OS 2.2 software update. Among the features added are the inclusion of Google Street View, directions to public transit and while walking, and the ability to display the address of a dropped pin.

Calculator edit

When the device is in landscape mode, the calculator app displays a scientific calculator. Also, the app icon is updated.

Settings edit

Settings now has an ability to turn Wi-Fi back on while in Airplane mode, as well as the ability to turn Location Services on or off.

Reception edit

Rene Ritchie at iMore said, "Overall, iPhone Firmware 2.0 is a stunning achievement that really puts the iPhone on par with the Apple II and Mac as one of the great revolutions in modern technology. It takes it beyond simple Phone + iPod, or even smartphone, and makes it the leading contender for the next great shift in computing." However, they criticized it for having stability issues and overall sluggishness.[4] Macworld said, "The iPhone 2.0 software is full of the kind of refinements that you'd expect from a second-generation Apple product. The iPhone OS still isn't perfect, and we wish Apple has addressed some lingering shortcomings, but it's a welcome step-up for what was already arguably the best mobile platform on the market."[5]

Update price for iPod touch edit

While the update from iPhone OS 1 to iPhone OS 2 was free for iPhone users, it cost $9.95 for iPod touch users,[6] due to accounting rules and the need to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These accounting rules were later changed after lobbying from Apple and other software companies.[7][8][9] Free copies of the iPod touch update circulated online.[10] Minor updates to iPhone OS 2 were free for iPod touch users.

Supported devices edit

Version history edit

Version Release date Notes
2.0 July 11, 2008 Initial release on iPhone 3G
  • Adds Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Dutch, Korean, Brazilian, and Portuguese language support
  • Allows importing contacts from SIM
  • Adds BCC support in the Mail app
  • Multiple calendars can now be used in Calendar and are differentiated via color-coding
  • Calendar menu is added to Settings
  • App Store is added, allowing installation of third-party apps
  • Adds support for WPA2 and 802.1X
  • Allows enabling only Wi-Fi while in Airplane Mode
  • Allows taking screen captures
  • Adds support for SVG images
  • Allows saving pictures from Mail or Safari to Photos
  • Adds Parental Controls
  • Allows toggling Parental Controls
  • Photos taken in Camera can be geotagged
2.0.1 August 4, 2008
  • Improves Contacts app stability
  • Improves Calendar app stability
  • Improves keyboard responsiveness[11]
2.0.2 August 18, 2008
  • Improves cellular communication on the iPhone 3G
  • Removes the "Update All" button in the App Store[12]
2.1
2.1.1[a]
September 12, 2008[13]
September 9, 2008[a]
Initial release on iPod Touch (2nd generation), not released on iPhone 3G
  • Used storage space is now visible on-device
  • Updates are now faster
  • Fixes a passcode bypass
  • Increases speed of third-party app installation
  • Improves battery life
  • Improves 3G cellular strength reporting
  • 24-hour clock is now usable to UK users
  • Fixes the calculator bug where incorrect answers were reported if a calculation involved pi
  • Adds the option to erase all data after ten failed passcode attempts
  • Adds creation of Genius playlists
2.2 November 21, 2008
  • Addition of Google Street View and walking and public transit directions on the iPhone[14]
  • Podcasts can be downloaded from the device, without needing to sync with iTunes[14]
  • New option to turn off auto-correct[14]
  • Support for Emoji, exclusive to Japanese iPhones[14]
2.2.1 January 27, 2009
  • Updates the baseband to patch a security exploit that allowed unofficial SIM-unlock of the iPhone 3G[15]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b iPod touch (2nd generation) only

References edit

  1. ^ Patel, Nilay (June 30, 2010). "iPhone OS 2 apps no longer welcome on the App Store". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  2. ^ Wilson, Ben (December 5, 2008). "First downloadable application for iPhone OS 1.2 "Aspen"". CNET. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  3. ^ Ceci, L. (August 31, 2021). "Number of apps on Apple's App Store 2021 | Statista". Statista. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Ritchie, Rene (Jul 14, 2008). "iPhone OS 2.0 review". iMore. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Moren, Dan (Jul 15, 2008). "Review: iPhone 2.0 software update". Macworld. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  6. ^ Cheng, Jacqui (2008-07-14). "The Second Coming: Ars goes in-depth with the iPhone 3G". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-09-01. Due to differences in Apple's accounting practices between the iPhone and iPod touch, owners of the latter must pay $9.95 for the update.
  7. ^ Foresman, Chris (2009-09-14). "Accounting rules change could end iPod touch update fee". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  8. ^ Sorrel, Charlie. "The 3-G iPhone: What To Expect". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  9. ^ Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (2009-09-16). "Accounting rule change in Apple's favor - Apple 2.0 - Fortune Brainstorm Tech". CNN Money. Archived from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  10. ^ Bell, Donald (July 14, 2008). "iPod Touch firmware leak". CNET. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  11. ^ Wilson, Ben (December 5, 2008). "iPhone OS 2.0.1 released: what's fixed, problems applying". CNET. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  12. ^ Marsal, Katie (18 August 2008). "Apple launches iPhone 2.0.2 update". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  13. ^ Cohen, Peter (September 12, 2008). "Apple releases iPhone 2.1 update". Macworld. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d Chartier, David (21 November 2008). "Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update (Updated)". Ars Technica. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  15. ^ O'Grady, Jason D. (January 27, 2009). "iPhone firmware 2.2.1 released, unlockers beware (updated 3x)". ZDNet. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  16. ^ Krazit, Tom. "New iPhone software improves Safari stability". CNET. Retrieved 7 May 2023.

External links edit

Preceded by iPhone OS 2
2008
Succeeded by