We had reported last week that a screenshot of iPhone firmware 2.2 had revealed that iPhone users will have the ability to download podcasts directly on the iPhone in the latest firmware update.
German blog Schimanke.com has published new screenshots from iPhone firmware 2.2 that confirm over-the-air podcast downloads direct to the iPhone.
The screenshots below reveal the new iPhone podcast directory interface. It also appears that iPhone users will be able to not only download new versions of already-subscribed podcasts but also browse for new podcasts on the iTunes App.
iPhone firmware 2.2 will also support video podcasts. One of the key features would be the ability to download podcasts not only over Wi-Fi but also over the EDGE or 3G data connection.
It is expected that the over-the-air download feature will be for podcasts which are less than 10 mb just like the App Store.
There is still no sign of the Push Notification Service which was expected to be released in September. The Push Notification APIs is Apple's solution for one of the features that we have been asking for, ability for iPhone apps to run in the background especially for applications like Instant Messenger, Facebook etc. However, Apple had strangely pulled out the Push Notification Service APIs in the 4th Beta version of iPhone Firmware 2.1 for "further development". It is speculated that Apple has delayed the push notification service due to major issues with the initial implementation.
iPhone firmware 2.2 Beta 2 and Beta 1 have already revealed the following features:
- Google's Street View including walking and public transportation routes for directions
- Japanese Emoji Icons & Turn Off Auto-Correction
- Tweaks to App Store Application
- Tweaks to iPhone Safari's user interface
Apple has not given any indication on when iPhone firmware 2.2 will be released to iPhone users.
I think we have seen and heard enough of iPhone firmware 2.2, Apple should release it soon so that we can start speculating about the other must-have feature like Copy & Paste, MMS in the subsequent firmware update.
What say folks?
[Schimanke.com via Mac Rumors]
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So, still nothing the users have been asking for.
Horray! I can download podcasts on the phone now! That on top of the slightly modified Safari interface with make this the best firmware yet! Weeeeeeeeeeeee!
Seriously, it's just like that MadTV skit with the iRack. Why doesn't Jobs come out and say to the iPhone users "I know what you're asking for, and the answer is NO." Come on. It can't possibly be THAT hard to put Push and Copy/Paste into the damn thing.
The only thing that's slightly useful about this update is the new features in Google maps, but with Google Earth out now we pretty much already have those.
Most of the podcasts that I am watching are off course video casts which are more than 10 MB and that means I may not be able to download and watch them on 3G, how bad!
I hope they don't limit downloads to 10mb… that eliminates a big chunk of my podcasts!