Get the iPhone 2.0 software now
As you may already know, iTunes version 7.7 launched a few hours ago. This is the update that’ll allow you to download the 2.0 software for the iPhone and iPod Touch along with features such as the App Store. However, no iPhone/iPod Touch update was ready to go at launch. It is now.
Though you still cannot get it through doing a regular “Check for Update” in iTunes, manually downloading the .ipsw file found at this link will get your the 2.0 software a little bit early.
In order to install it after you’ve downloaded, you’ll have to hold the Option key (on Windows it’s the Shift key, thanks Jesme) when pressing the “Check for Update” button in iTunes. You will then select the file you’ve downloaded manually. I just did it and it was very simple.
This manual method will not work with the iPod Touch yet, according to Mac Rumors.
If you don’t feel comfortable updating your iPhone this way, the automated update should work shortly.
Apple has additional information for updating and restoring the iPhone and iPod Touch software here.
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About the Author, MG Siegler
MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.