iPhone Update Pitfall

Well, Apple have just wasted the best part of two hours of my time on an iPhone update.

Apple have just released the latest version of the iPhone software (3.1). It works with (i.e. requires) the latest version of the iTunes system (v. 9).

But if you (accidentally) decline to update to the new version of iTunes,the old version will cheerfully offer you the new iPhone software and try to install it for you.

And then fail, leaving the phone completely non-functional (just an apple on the screen -- it won't even turn off in that state).  Bad for the bowels, that one...

Which means you have to figure out how to force the phone to turn off (hold the on/off button AND the "home" button at the same time, for several seconds.

Then you have to install the new version of iTunes.  Then you have to turn the phone back on and connect it to the computer.  Then you have to wait while (the new)  iTunes restores your phone.  At this point your phone starts working again.  Then you have to disconnect the phone and re-connect it again and wait while iTunes re-installs your Apps.

It's all fairly straightforward.  But it takes ages, and your phone is non-functional for well over half an hour...

And all this is could have been avoided if the iPhone update had checked the version of iTunes...

Bargle.