iPhone software update 2.2 released

Posted by Al Warmington on Fri 21 Nov 2008

No, there's no copy & paste. Please stop asking.

iPhone users can now get their greasy fingers on a new software update. iPhone 2.2 is a 246MB update that brings a load of background tweaks and fixes to the snazzy mobile.

The main difference that you’re actually likely to notice is the addition of Google Street View to the Maps application. This is the service that taps into all those pics snapped by the search giant’s sinister camera cars that have been turning up in European cities over the past year.

A decent proportion of the US has already been recorded and has in some cases landed Google in trouble over privacy concerns. But despite upsetting a couple of sneaky porn buyers, it’s scaling up rapidly. The UK’s Street View has yet to go live, but a number of French, Italian and Spanish cities are already working.

Along with showing you the view from the ground, the updated Maps service will give walking directions and help you find public transport stops and timetables. You can also share your location by emailing a Google Maps URL to your contacts.

We can imagine the emails going along the lines of “Honestly, honey, I’m not down the pub. I’m working late at the office. Look, Google says so, and Google CAN NOT LIE.”

Other improvements include the option to browse and download Podcasts from iTunes on the handset. Unlike music downloads, you can now do this over-the-air using your 3G (or GPRS if you want to wait longer) connection.

Safari has been made more stable and has been given a more search orientated interface. And the Home button takes you back to the Home screen no matter what you’re fiddling with.

Apple