Existing users, 
Apple confirms that it is triggering (or unlocking) iPhone updates over the network
Posted 15 August 2007 @ 12pm in News
We previously speculated that Apple is somehow triggering or unlocking iPhone functionality over the EDGE network (or perhaps over any IP-based network, including WiFi connections). The reason for the postulation: the addition of a “Send to Web Gallery,” button that appears in the Camera and Photos applications when clicking the share button (lower left corner when viewing a photo) that did not exist for any iPhone owner prior to August 7th, and did not require any iTunes-based software/firmware installation.
At the time, we noted that, in addition to there being no synchronization process, nor conspicuous software update to enable the new function, some users received the function early in the day, some later in the day, and some not at all.
Apple has now addressed this issue in Knowledge Base article #306272. The article outlines several requirements for invoking the “Send to Web Gallery” function, including:
- “iPhone Software Version 1.0.1 or later
- “An active .Mac account (full membership account—not just email)
- “iPhone configured with a .Mac mail account (the same account to which you published the Web Gallery)
- etc.”
What’s interesting, however, is the following paragraph:
“If the Send to Web Gallery option does not appear on iPhone, and you have installed iPhone Software 1.0.1 or later, press the Home button to exit Photos, wait an hour before you tap Photos, and then try again. During that hour, it’s OK to use other features of iPhone.”
This essentially confirms that some sort of network-based trigger — not a time-based mechanism — invokes the “Send to Web Gallery” option. Once the appropriate software is in place and a valid .Mac account is detected on the iPhone, it appears that some sort of fetching process is performed that delivers the new functionality.
Apple is still not revealing, however, whether the update trigger happens only over EDGE, or can occur over any type of valid network connection. Nor is it saying whether any actual application data is being transferred over the network, or just a unlock trigger.
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4 Comments
Posted by vlens
15 August 2007 @ 1pm
i use the iphone without sim hence without edge and stilli somehow got the web gallery button… probably got it over wifi then!?
Posted by dthreatt
15 August 2007 @ 3pm
I run eavesdrop and I believe that it was updated via a special EMAIL from the .Mac account. That is why YOU MUST have the .MAC email enabled. This can be the only way.
Posted by ipohneatlas.10.eitan
15 August 2007 @ 4pm
“This essentially confirms that some sort of network-based trigger — not a time-based mechanism” no it doesn’t.
It could just as easily be a very low priority thread running in the background that occasionally checks to see if the Photo app is running and only makes the update if it is not.
Posted by iphonedanny
15 August 2007 @ 6pm
How do you back up messages?