Out of the closest iPhone lover Paul Thurrott of the Supersite for Windows got his beige-boxy hands on pre-release version of the iPhone 2.0 software update and the pre-requisite iTunes 7.7 software, and ran the upgrade process through its paces.

His verdict?

[Installing the 2.0 upgrade] is a multi-step and time-consuming process but is largely hands-off. [...] There’s a new App Store icon on the home screen, for example, and the Mail application includes prominent links to Microsoft Exchange and MobileMe account types. [...] The old iPod Games entry in the Source list [of iTunes 7.7] has changed to App Store, for example, though selecting it now, before the July 11 launch, displays only whatever iPod Games you’ve purchased. [...] I’ll have a lot more to say about this impressive upgrade in the weeks ahead. So far, so good.

Check out his upgrade gallery, and massive iPhone 2.0 screenshot galleries.

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Upgrading Your iPhone to 2.0: Windows Preview Gallery

Real? Fake? Really fake? We don’t know yet, but Gizmodo is joining the growing crowd of logo distorted, cheesy-photoshop artifact’ed, no way this thing got within 100 miles (how far is Redmond again?) of Jonathan Ive, doubters.

While the accessory makers may have struck them some gold on the specs-side, it’s looking increasingly like our French compatriots were either duped, or helped consipire up some duping. Merde indeed:

Some frogsters* with no track record are claiming that this piece of scratched plastic—which in the photo looks like a cheapo LG cellphone clone wannabe—is the new iPhone 3G. Although it matches the rumored all-black and specs, we don’t believe it’s the real thing. The reason: these photos have been up since 12:04AM Central European Time and it’s now 4:04PM. That’s 16 hours up with no Cease and Desist order—and Apple Europe is as aggressive with leaks as Cupertino. In any case, check its back and tell us what you think after the jump.

What do you think?

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

Gizmodo Smash… er… Doubt Puny 3G iPhone Pics Leak!