Deadhouse Gates

Apple launched a preemptive strike of sorts in the battle of the smart phones releasing the iPhone 2.2 softwaree-mail from POP and Exchange accounts; faster installation of third party applications; and a fix for bugs that caused hangs and crashes with a number of third party applications. upgrade at midnight, just hours ahead of the highly anticipated release of the Blackberry Storm. The move caught Apple fans by surprise, as the update appeared set for Friday. Users can access features using iTunes 8 and connecting the iPhone to a computer for download. The iPhone improvements include a decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls; significantly better battery life for most users; reduced time to backup to iTunes; better e-mail reliability, especially in accessing

Safari has also been upgraded on the iPhone and now has a new search-friendly user interface, better performance and more stability. The iPhone update also means that users now have access to millions of free podcasts on the iTunes Store via Wi-Fi or a cell network. The Maps feature has also been revamped, with Google Street View, which lets users take a virtual walking tour by navigating through street level-pictures of areas that have been located through Maps.