No, downloading and installing it on your iPhone 2G won’t magically give it a better camera, video recording, or unicorn tear-powered 2x speed. (It will most likely give you heartache — never mix and match firmware!) but MacRumors forum has already found iPhone OS 3.0 for iPhone hardware 2,1 lingering about Apple.com.

(We’re betting it’s waiting in line for the hardware — curse those pre-order limits!)

Again, we don’t recommend doing anything with it — if you’re getting an iPhone 3G S it’ll come pre-installed. We simply present it as another check box on the road to release, like Find My iPhone going live, and Push Notifications hitting the App Store.

Fun week ahead, no doubt!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone 3G S Firmware Already Lining Up on Apple’s Servers?

UPDATED: According to the screenshot we just received, looks like Apple has, for the first time, re-jiggered the order of Apps on the Home Screen (previously they just added iTunes and then App Store). Now Voice Memo takes Clocks spot, Notes switches with Calculator, Clock goes where Notes was, and Calculator bumps Settings to the bottom row along with iTunes and App Store, which move left a slot to make room. Not sure about this new arrangement, what do you think?

Also, there’s apparently a new Settings panel for Store, although it sounds like it’s blank right now.

ORIGINAL: Sneaking in just before the end of March, Apple has released iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2, both SDK and firmware to developers. If you’re spinning apps for this summer’s big release, head on over to developer.apple.com and get your download on.

TiPB has already done a fairly extensive iPhone 3.0 walkthrough of the front-facing elements of Beta 1, but we’ll have to wait for the usual deep-code divers out on the internet to let us know if there’s anything new surfaced in Beta 2.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

UPDATED: iPhone 3.0 Beta 2 Now Available for Developers

With the iPhone OS 3.0 Preview coming this Tuesday, March 17, the question will inevitably become: when’s it shipping?!

However, Erica Sadun over at Ars Technica, in an article designed to help developers better target their firmware requirements, shows some interesting data on what firmware releases iPhone owners are actually using… and it isn’t always the latest.

iPhone users likely keep up to date more than almost any other smartphone platform on the planet simply because Apple and iTunes make it so drop dead simple to find out about, and install the OS updates. But even so, Sadun’s article shows not everyone is doing it:

The data, covering one week and provided by Headlight Software, showed no one on 1.x (thank Jobs for that!), less than 2% total on 2.0.x, less than 7% on 2.1.x, 26.61% on 2.2, and a whopping 65.49% on the current firmware, 2.2.1 released January 27.

So two-thirds on the latest/greatest firmware, just over a quarter on the previous release (yellowsn0w unlockers accounting for some of that, we suspect), and few stragglers back in the stone ages of 2.0.

As important as this information is for developers trying to figure out how to target their requirements, we’re also just plain curious. We figure TiPb readers are some of the smartest iPhone folks on the planet. So let us know, are you on the most recent iPhone OS 2.2.1 version, or are you deliberately staying on 2.2 for now? Anyone just not care about firmware and sticking with an older version that “just works” for you?

And how many would upgrade to 3.0 in a heartbeat the instant Apple dropped it?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

What iPhone Firmware are You Running?

Prototype as in the early engineering test unit we saw briefly on Ebay and YouTube, we’re guessing. Apple had that pulled. Will they be able to pull the firmware now that it’s been leaked onto the internet? Probably not, but they’ll likely not be able to pull Steve Jobs and his iCommandos off the person who leaked it either…

If it’s not a gag, hoax, or other form for silly fun, getting a look at the origins of the iPhone OS could potentially help some developers… and some competitors.

(via Arnold Kim on Twitter)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Prototype iPhone Firmware in the Wild

Out of nowhere Apple has quietly released a new firmware update for iPhone and iPhone 3G. This latest release, 2.2.1, weighing in at 246.4 MB, is said to have have improved general stability of Safari and has addressed the issue where some images saved from Mail did not display correctly in the camera roll. It is unknown at this time if Apple has snuck in any other tweaks or features, to follow along and report any findings be sure to head into our forums to the newly started thread – iPhone software 2.2.1 released?

To update simply connect your iPhone/iPhone 3G to your computer and “check for update” via iTunes.

Note to Jailbreakers/Unlockers: Do not update your iPhone/iPhone 3G until the all clear is given by the iPhone Dev Team.

[Thanks to forum member sting7k for the tip!]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone 2.2.1 Firmware Released

It’s been some time since the 2.2 firmware dropped, yet we have not heard of any developers getting their hands on the next version. So Dizzy wants to know, when is iPhone 2.3 firmware coming? That is a very good question, so check out that thread and let him know what you think…

Next up is a thread regarding the sharing of a single SIM card between your iPhone and another phone on the AT&T network. I’ve done it previously with no issues, now it seems like AT&T is tightening the screws just a bit. Have you tried sharing your iPhone SIM with another phone? Let us know how it’s worked out for you.

Forum member, EnterpriseGlobe, has started a fun thread – where did you get your iPhone? I stood in line for 2 hours or so on July 11th at my local Apple store. To kill time I emailed pictures and updates to Dieter while he was in line at the Providence, RI Mall. Oh the memories.

I know what you are thinking, this is an iPhone site, so why feature a thread about the upcoming Palm Pre? We all love competition, it just makes products better. Or at least that is the idea. To cut to the chase, what are your feelings regarding the recently announced Palm Pre? Is this real competition for the iPhone or is it simply one last ditch effort by Palm to try to stay afloat?

Finally, spidermanroach wants to know, Yahoo or Gmail? Which one do you think is better and why? Get in the forums and let him know!

Remember, before you can get in on any of the TiPb forum action be sure to register! It’s free and will only take a minute of your time.

See you on the forums!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Today on the Forums: iPhone 2.3 Firmware, SIM Card Sharing, Where Did You Get Your iPhone? Palm Pre, Yahoo vs. Gmail

Today on the forums we have a few interesting poll threads for you.

The cat is out of Apple’s bag regarding the 2.2 beta firmware and we want to know exactly what feature you most want to see added??? Take a look at the options and make your vote!

In the next poll we want to know how you spend most of your time on your iPhone? Browsing the internet? Talking on the phone? Emailing perhaps? Let us know!

Are you still on the fence about jailbreaking your iPhone? hermdog started a thread that lists a few good reasons why you should jailbreak! Jailbreaking really does open your phone up to another world. So if you know of any good apps that not many people are aware of, please post it up for others to check out.

Join our growing community and get in on the conversation!

See you on the forums!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Today on the Forums: What Do You Want From iPhone 2.2? Still On the Fence About Jailbreaking?

Today is a special day for all of us, so why not have a special edition of Today on the Forums?! It’s pretty much a no brainer… firmware 2.1! It’s finally here and the forums are buzzing!

Have the changes that Apple made improved your iPhone? Let us know how the 2.1 firmware is working for you so far!

Be sure to check out another great thread, strictly for undocumented features of the 2.1 firmware!

So get on the forums and start mixing it up with our growing community! As always, registration is free and simple. Heck, we like the back and forth so much we’re going to turn off comments on this post so you can head over and get your chat on properly.

See you in the forums!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Today on the Forums: How’s 2.1 Working for You?

Missed all the news this morning? Well now is your chance to watch today’s Keynote given by none other than Mr. Steve Jobs. And I am glad to report he is alive and well!

Head on over to Apple’s web site and check it out!

After watching it let us know what you think in the comments or head over to the forums and discuss firmware 2.1 available this Friday!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

“Let’s Rock” Keynote Now Streaming via Apple.com

Well it’s finally here. Spore! The game that we’ve been waiting for ever since the 2.0 firmware was announced.

It was released today and can be purchased at the App Store for a cool $9.99.

TiPb will be back with a hands-on review, but I played around with it early this afternoon and I must say it is a very well polished game that is worth it’s price tag.

Got Spore? Show us! Visit us on TiPb forums and show off screen shots of your Spores here!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Spore Origins: Now Available in App Store