iPod Touch 2.0 Firmware Review

[xxDriveNxx]

Well, I was lucky enough to be one of the first to get my hands on the iPod Touch 2.0 final firmware release, and I have been running it for the last few hours, so I figured that I might as well throw a well written review together for everyone here to read about it, to help ease the wait until the official release happens.

First, I will cover the iTunes aspect of the process. As soon as iTunes 7.7 is downloaded and installed, access to the App Store is granted, and you are able to download/purchase any applications that you want, and keep them in your iTunes. Useless without a device, but that is beyond the point.

Here are a few quick screenshots of the actual iTunes interface, when your iPod is upgraded to 2.0:



And one more of the Applications section:


The actual upgrade to 2.0 took around 20 minutes, as it needs to clear all data off of the iPod, and then upgrade it. Since I had around 2,000 songs, it took some time. However it was well worth it.

Onto the firmware itself. On the first boot, the only real differences noticable is the addition of the App Store icon, and the newly changed Music Store icon.

Screenshot of the Main Menu:


It looks much like 1.1.4, keeping the same default order, and the same dock. Nothing very major here. As you can see by the multiple dots, I have more applications installed. The ones that I have installed are a few free apps from the store, and Super Monkey Ball.

Installed Apps:


The first app that I'll go into a little detail about is the Facebook application. Most people would overlook it simply due to the fact that the actual Facebook website is already iPhone optimized. The application is actually very different, and focuses on different Facebook aspects, such as the actual ability to use the Facebook chat.



With the iTunes Remote application, you can actually control any instance of iTunes open on a computer on your network, or any Apple TV on your network, simply by verifying the iPod and pairing them together. The app is built very well, and for free, you can't go wrong.



Past the free applications, Super Monkey Ball is so far the only application that I have actually paid the money for, and tried out. So far, it's definitely been worth the $10. It's very fast, looks good, and has solid gameplay to it. I'll probably continue to play it until I've beaten it

A couple of screens:



Onto the App Store itself. It's got a very nice look to it, and all of the applications are laid out very well and organized, with information and screenshots for nearly all of them. Purchases/Downloads are painless, and the installation process is quick. Apple actually even put in a nice uninstallation feature, which is the same as removing webclips.

App Store:









App Removal:


Finally, I'll cover a few of the other 2.0 changes that are new but less important.

First, the Calculator with added scientific mode:



New Settings Menus:




And finally, images are downloadable!:


That is all for my review. If any of you have questions you would like answered, or something you would like to see, let me know and I will do the best I can to help you out.

[aries_green_monkey]

Great review!

I assume that no jailbreaking yet...

Comprehensive and interesting - but i like the myspace app, not facebook, haha.

[PowerOfCheese]

wow, this is cool! as soon as jailbreaking is possible, i might upgrade.

[iMod]

iPhone Dev Team jailbreaks firmware 2.0... before it's out - Engadget

[Twinkie]

Edited your other image, tard You fergot to block yer name

[Woodward]

its in the 1st 3 images. lmao. who cares what his name is?

[Twinkie]

lol crap. He probably doesn't want people knowing his full name (cept me of course)

[xxDriveNxx]

Originally Posted by Twinkie

lol crap. He probably doesn't want people knowing his full name (cept me of course)

I could really care less, I don't even know why I edited the facebook one.

[zim]

Looks sexy But I don't got a iPod any more .

[Kedzi]

Originally Posted by Twinkie

Edited your other image, tard You fergot to block yer name

His wifi server, if it's his name, you forgot it