Another free time waster (and useful feature) for iPhone owners, courtesy Apple's (AAPL) new iPhone 2.2 software update, which rolled out last night: Google Maps Street View.
This catches the iPhone up with Google's (GOOG) G1 'GPhone', though the iPhone doesn't seem to have the same automatic "digital compass" technology as the G1, so you have to move around manually. That's fine -- either way, very addictive.
The software update also includes some user interface improvements and lets you download podcasts over the air. It does not include over-the-air iTunes purchases, as we had supposed it might. Seems like that's a rights/pricing issue.
List of new 2.2 features, via MacRumors:
Enhancements to Maps
- Google Street View
- public transit and walking diretions
- display address of dropped pins
- share location via email
Enhancements to Mail
- resolved isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email
- improved formatting of wide HTML email
Improved stability and performance of Safari
Podcasts are now available for download in iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular)
Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops
Improved sound quality of visual voicemail messages
Pressing the Home button from any Home screen takes you to the first Home screen
Preferences to turn on/off auto-correction in Keyboard settings
See Also:
RIM's BlackBerry Storm Is No iPhone, But Should Sell Well
Next Year's iPhone Sales: A Crapshoot
BlackBerry Storm Coming Nov. 21 For $199, iPhone Not Toast
On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.
