Brief Hands-On Report--Apple iPhone Software Update 1.1.1, Problems and a Fix

Apple released iPhone Software Update 1.1.1 after warning that iPhones using software or hardware changes not approved by Apple may have difficulties including becoming inoperable. Apple also noted that this issue would not be fixed under warranty. It would be smart to restore your your iPhone's software using v1.0.2 of the iPhone Software in iTunes if you have made any such changes, before you download and install the new version 1.1.1. We had problems and so have others. Fortunately, we found a simple fix to our problem.

iPhone Software Update 1.1.1 is obtained and installed via iTunes with your iPhone in its dock. The Update has many new features, including:

1. iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
2. Louder speakerphone and receiver volume
3. Home Button double-click shortcut to phone favorites or music controls
4. Space bar double-tap shortcut to intelligently insert period and space
5. Mail attachments are viewable in portrait and landscape
6. Stocks and cities in Stocks and Weather can be re-ordered
7. Apple Bluetooth headset battery status in the Status Bar
8. Support for TV Out
9. Preference to turn off EDGE/GPRS when roaming internationally
10. New Passcode lock time intervals
11. Adjustable alert volume

Apple's online iPhone manual had not been updated for these new features at publication time but there is a video that explains them on this Apple Web page. We point to #2, #7 and #9 as particularly welcome changes.

In addition, iPhone Software Update 1.1.1 provides security fixes. Here are the details:

Bluetooth--CVE-2007-3753--An attacker within Bluetooth range may be able to cause an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution

Mail--CVE-2007-3754--Checking email over untrusted networks may lead to
information disclosure via a man-in-the-middle attack

Mail--CVE-2007-3755--Following a telephone ("tel:") link in Mail will dial a
phone number without confirmation

Safari--CVE-2007-3756--Visiting a malicious website may lead to the disclosure of URL contents

Safari--CVE-2007-3757--Visiting a malicious website may lead to unintended dialing or dialing a different number than expected

Safari--CVE-2007-3758--Visiting a malicious website may lead to cross-site
scripting

Safari--CVE-2007-3759--Disabling JavaScript does not take effect until Safari is restarted

Safari--CVE-2007-3760--Visiting a malicious website may result in cross-site
scripting

Safari--CVE-2007-3761--Visiting a malicious website may result in cross-site
scripting

Safari--CVE-2007-4671--JavaScript on websites may access or manipulate the contents of documents served over HTTPS

We downloaded and installed iPhone Software Update 1.1.1 on our iPhone without first restoring it with the previous version 1.0.2 despite the warnings from Apple. This proved to be a mistake because we had added custom ringtones via iToner 1.0.2 from Ambrosia Software, at least we think this could have been the source of our problems.

When we checked to see if our iToner-added custom ringtones were still there, they were no longer on the ringtones list. However, our main ringtone and those of our contacts that we had assigned custom ringtones to still listed the custom name. And, indeed the main ringtone that played when we called our iPhone was the custom one.

Then, we noticed that our Apple Bluetooth Headset no longer paired with our iPhone when we turned it on. We deleted it from the paired list but could not pair it again. No matter what we did we could not get it to pair or work. The Bluetooth icon would not light or turn blue and the new headset battery indicator did not show up next to the iPhone battery indicator.

So, we bit the bullet and clicked the Restore button in iTunes and restored iPhone Software Update 1.1.1. Then, we had to reinstall all of our music, videos, contacts and iCal entries. When done, our headset paired and its battery icon appeared when the headset was turned on. Of course, there was no sign of our custom ringtones.

It is possible that we just had a hiccup during installation of the software update and needed to restore anyway. But, we think it could be because we had the custom ringtones installed by iToner 1.0.2. We are going to wait until Ambrosia posts a note or a new version before trying it again.

Our recommendation is that if you have installed anything non-Apple on your iPhone, it may be wise to run Restore before installing iPhone Software Update 1.1.1. [Bill Fox]