We've recently become aware that a number of people are experiencing problems upgrading their iPhones to the latest iOS 4 software. Problems range from the upgrade process appearing to stall, to some users reporting partial or total data loss.
If you are one of those unlucky enough to encounter problems, we suggest you read the following suggestions and advice.
Firstly, if you suspect you have lost data, do NOT sync your iPhone with iTunes just yet. If you do, you run the risk that iTunes will overwrite any previous backup files you may have with fresh backups, which will no longer contain your missing data. Instead, browse to your iTunes backup folder and take a copy of any files or folders you may find there and save them into a completely separate location.
Under OS X, iTunes will store backups in /Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup.
Under Windows XP, iTunes will store backups in /Documents and Settings/USERNAME/Application Data/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup.
Under Windows Vista and Windows 7, iTunes will store backups in /Users/USERNAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup.
Secondly, try restoring your iPhone. This seems to have resolved many issues, albeit not all of them. As mentioned above, make sure you've copied any iTunes backup files to a safe location before you try this.
Thirdly, if the restore didn't work or you are still missing data, download and run the iPhone Backup Extractor. The free version will allow you to locate and restore individual files from within an iPhone or iPad backup file - just point it at the backup files you copied to a safe place in the first step (you did take a copy, didn't you?!).
If you want to know more about the iPhone Backup Extractor, visit our website at http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com
If you've found you have the need to retrieve files from an iPhone backup but cannot, you might want to have a look at our iPhone Backup Extractor. It works well on Windows and Linux, and can rapidly retrieve backed-up pictures, AppStore apps, SMSes, and the rest.
Mac users aren't in luck with this script, but there are some alternatives.
Be cracked by software
Unlike the older iPhone, the 3G can't... yet. So meantime you probably need a SIM card adapter.
Easily sync with Google Apps
It can and it can't. The email works well, but synchronisation of calendars or contacts requires Nuevasync. Nuevasync is free, works well, and doesn't need to be trusted with any of your passwords.
Work nicely with push data
Yes, it will if you have a nice Exchange server, or if you use MobileMe. But using MobileMe with Google Applications isn't straightforward, and neither is migration between the two. Hopefully Google will introduce push support soon. Emoze offer a push service to sit on top of other email providers, but it's not a quick win.
Let you swap tasks
Surprisingly, you can't switch between applications. If you're browsing the web the web and need to dip into your contacts, the web browser gets closed. Fortunately when you re-open your browser it will remember where it was, but the process takes time and other applications don't work so well.
Include copy and paste
So you've been emailed a thirteen-digit tracking code for your Royal Mail parcel and want to track it online? You cannot copy the number from email and paste into your browser, and -- as above -- switching between the two involves closing the former. There is an application called iCopy which emulates copy and paste, but it involves sending your "clipboard" data in plaintext over the web. Top tip: carry around a notepad and pen with your iPhone 3G.
Run quickly
Whilst the scrolling is usually lag-free, there can be quite a delay loading applications. If you have a few hundred contacts, prepare to wait a few seconds before your iPhone starts responding when you press "Contacts".
Provide Open Source or free RDP and VNC support
It doesn't, not yet, though there are commercial implementations of both, and limited "free" versions of those.
Have native office applications
No, it doesn't have word processing, spreadsheets or presentations.
Have native chat applications
There are plenty of web based chat systems that work with or are built for the iPhone 3G. But do you want to put your chat account data into those systems? And remember, when you want to switch to another application on the iPhone, your web browser will be closed. MobileChat has been around for a while but it's not free and their servers have been falling over since launch.
Have a task list application
The best it'll do is get you into the iPhone version of RememberTheMilk. A native application would be preferable, as whilst the web solution looks lovely, parts are cryptic. After fifteen minutes of playing with it I think I can do everything apart from mark a task as completed.
Use OpenVPN
There's no native client yet, so the office can wait.
Let you play Angband, Moria or Nethack
Whilst there is a port of Nethack available for the iPhone 3G, the touchscreen interface doesn't allow for enough 1-touch commands. It's possible to play any of the games in a terminal through an SSH session, but there's still a problem.
