iPhone 2.0 software update successful – at last

The iPhone 2.0 software is available now on Apple’s servers, but evidently the volume of requests is overwhelming and iTunes is not automatically updating the iPhone software for some folks. I updated my iTunes to version 7.7 this afternoon but still couldn’t get my iPhone software to update. I used the direct software link posted on MacWorld’s article from yesterday, “iPhone software 2.0 on Apple’s servers” to download the software to my MacBook, but then couldn’t figure out what to do with the downloaded and unzipped file to update my iPhone.

What to do? Reach out to someone in my personal learning network, of course! 😉

My cousin, Devin Henley, provided me with some live, just-in-time phone support (literally) and now I’m up and running with iPhone 2.0 software! Here’s what he had me do on my Macbook running Mac OS X 10.5.4:

1. Backup your iPhone data and settings first. I did this by holding down the CONTROL key and clicking on my iPhone in iTunes, and choosing BACKUP.
2. Download the iPhone 2.0 firmware file. If your web browser (I used Safari) unzips the file automatically, delete the “unzipped” version and find the original in your computer’s trash can.
3. Drag the zip file to the desktop, and rename it by removing the “.zip” extension at the end. (The filename for me was “iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw” after I removed “.zip” from the end.)
4. Open iTunes, plug in your iPhone, and when it mounts hold down the OPTION key when clicking CHECK FOR UPDATE in iTunes.
5. A popup window will open prompting you to find the firmware file. Navigate to the desktop and select the file you downloaded and renamed: iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw.
6. Wait and watch as your iPhone software is updated to version 2.0. (It takes awhile, at least 10 min.)
7. The iPhone will reboot several times. After it is updated, you’ll need to select RESTORE to put all your old settings back on the iPhone. Then click SYNC to copy all your videos, music, photos, and other data back from iTunes onto the iPhone. (The sync may happen automatically for you depending on how you had your iPhone preferences set up. I have my iPhone setup to not sync automatically, so I had to manually click “sync.”)
8. Now you should be all set! Off to the iTunes App Store!

Oh joy! My first download from the iTunes App Store? Something directly related to my work productivity to be sure… PhoneSaber!

The application description makes it clear my personal productivity is going to skyrocket with this tool at my fingertips:

Ever wished you could swing your iPhone around like a lightsaber? Well, now you can, with PhoneSaber.

As you swing your phone, a range of lightsaber sound effects will be emitted from your phone’s speaker (or connected audio output). Not only that, but you can also withdraw and put away your saber.

I know mobile technology is powerful, but this allows me to both experience and demonstrate the power of mobile computing in a memorable new way. 🙂

Thanks to Karen Montgomery for this iPhone web app recommendation, and developer Alex Price for creating it! 🙂

Now who’s the Mac Jedi?!

Technorati Tags:
iphone, webapp, software, update, tutorial, instructions, download, iphone2, starwars, phonesaber

If you enjoyed this post and found it useful, subscribe to Wes' free newsletter. Check out Wes' video tutorial library, "Playing with Media." Information about more ways to learn with Dr. Wesley Fryer are available on wesfryer.com/after.

On this day..

• iPhone Apps by Category (July 2013) Shared with ThingLink - 2013
• VERY limited cell phone reception - 2010
• Looking for a new wrapper or an entirely new sandwich? - 2007
• New tools and TIME - 2007
• Instructional Technology: PASSport II Resources for Oklahoma - 2007
• Congressional leaders forgetting the T in STEM - 2006
• Angus King on 1:1 - 2006
• Hao Wu released - 2006
• Walking amid shadows and light - 2006
• A great formula for talking to teens about iSafety - 2006