Apple releases iPhone 2.2 update

Apple has unleashed a whole new update for the iPhone that includes a raft of improvements and new features. Its timing is, of course, in no way related to the recent launch of the touchy feely BlackBerry Storm or Google powered HTC G1. Not one bit.

Search me

Despite the obvious rivalry between Apple and Google on the touchphone software front, the latest 2.2 iPhone update still gets some Google love – specifically in maps. Google Street View is now included (although, it's not currently available in the UK) and it now stretches to walking and public transport directions for route planning too.

Other notable items include support for podcast downloads directly on the device – either over Wi-Fi or via the mobile network – and a new interface for Safari that is more search-friendly (not that the old one was anti-search, you understand).

There's also the somewhat confusingly described Home Screen Shortcut: "Take a shortcut from any Home screen back to your first Home screen by pressing the Home button."

We think we're going to actually have a play with it to get our heads around that one, but we're confident that once we do, it'll no doubt be amazing!

Availability

If you're reaching for your iPhone already and getting ready to dock, the good news is the update is out now. Just fire up iTunes and 250MB later you'll be greeted by an iPhone that's at least 0.2 better than your current one. Happy times.