However, the site also says -

The simplest workaround I’ve heard of for the DFU issue is to copy one or two of the 10.5.5 frameworks files over the newer ones.

But till a definite guide is not released by the iPhone Dev team, we suggest you update to the latest build only if you have to.

The release notes says it  “includes fixes to improve stability and performance.” Apple has never been clear on what changes are made at the back-end except when new features are released. We suspect this update might include changes for the upcoming iPhone/iPod firmware 2.1 2.01.

You can download this iTunes update by opening iTunes > iTunes menu > Check for Updates.

Update: There are reports that the update blocks cracked version of AppStore softwares doing the rounds on the interwebs.

As you can see, the prices in the receipt appear in US dollars, just like they do at the App Store. The $ 9.99 that I was charged for Super Monkey Ball, took over a week to hit my credit card, and came to about Rs. 450.

I hope Apple is really sure that they are ready for this, before more people are “pushed” this troubled service.

Related post: Apple posts Mobile Me status

It even lets you add pictures to a post from your photo library or; in case of an iPhone, allows you to take one with the built-in camera. You can preview the post, however in the current version the preview does not show any pictures. They show up once the post is published.

Update (made from the good old web-based interface): After completing this post, I was a little confused about how I should publish it. The UI didn’t have any obvious “Publish” button. It then occurred to me that to publish a post, I had to change the post’s status to Published and then hit Save:

Update: Here is the link to the Wordpress app (link opens in iTunes)

You can click the Check for Updates link to have iTunes check for updates for any of your applications. You’ll be prompted to sign into the iTunes Store. In case an update is available, iTunes will take you to the an App Store page which will have just the updates specific to your apps listed:

From here you can either click Download All Updates or click the Get Updates button next to each app. I have a feeling that these are not “delta” updates i.e. you end up downloading the complete app (the newer version) all over again. In case of “heavy” games that could mean having to download anywhere between 20-50 MB.

The update process works from iPod Touch/iPhone as well. Just click on the Updates button in the App Store application, select the app you want to update, tap it to go to its detailed description and then click the Update button.

The Update button will turn into a green Install button, tapping on which will ask you for your iTunes Store credentials. After you sign-in, the updated version of the app will start downloading and will eventually replace the existing version on your iPod Touch/iPhone.

Kudos to Apple for having thought through the update/upgrade scenarios!

All these apps work on the same basic principle – fill the entire screen with white color so that there is enough light coming from the phone. Hardly novel (or should I say illuminating?). And some of them are not even free! It’ll be interesting to see if Apple tightens things in future or lets the App Store become another bazaar and lets the wisdom of crowds pushes the bad apps down.

Install iTunes 7.7 if you haven’t done so already. Launch iTunes and click on the iTunes Store link in the side bar. iTunes store will try and deduce your country from your IP address and will directly take you to the correct store for your geography. Sometimes it is unable to guess your location (as happened with me) and in that case, you’ll be redirected to a page with flags of all the countries where iTunes Store is now available. You’ll see the Indian tricolor here, click it to navigate to iTunes Store for India.

It might so happen, that your location is guessed wrongly and you are taken to iTunes Store for a different country. Scroll all the way down and select your country from the drop-down list (or click the flag icon next to it to go to the page with flags for all countries).

Perhaps the first thing that you’ll notice is that there is no music available for purchase in India. At this point, India only gets the App Store subset. I am trying to see the glass half-full here, so lets explore how we purchase an app (or download a free one).

Click on the Sign In button in the top right corner of the iTune Store pane.

You’ll be prompted for signing in with your Apple Id. If you’ve ever logged in and posted on Apple’s support forums, you already have an Apple Id that you can use here. Otherwise, click on the Create New Account button to get started.

I’ll assume that you already have an Apple Id, but you haven’t used with iTunes store before. You’ll probably get a message box saying that “This Apple ID has not yet been used with the iTunes Store”. Click the Review button.

You’ll now get a welcome splash-screen inside the iTunes Store pane. Click the Continue button to get started.

The next screen will show you the iTunes Store Terms & Conditions. Read it if you have time, inclination and love for legalese or check the box next to “I have read and agree to the iTunes Terms and Conditions” like the rest of us. Click the Continue button.

This is where you’ll need to provide your credit card and billing information. Sadly, this information is mandatory for completing the sign-up process – even if you want to download the free applications. Visa, Master Card and American Express cards are accepted.

Update: Looks like there is a workaround to avoid giving out your credit card. As a bonus, you can sign up for the US iTunes Store and also enjoy freebies like iTunes free single of the Week. Don’t count on it to work forever though!

Click the Done button. iTunes Store will now verify your information and hopefully will tell you that your account has been successfully created.

Click the Done button to come back to the store.

At this stage you should be already signed in – the text on the Sign In button changes to your Apple Id when you are. If not, just click on the Sign In button and provide your Apple Id and Password. Browse through the available applications. You can click on an application’s icon to see more details about it. If you want to buy it, just click on the Get App button.

The app will be automatically queued for downloading. Your credit-card will be automatically charged if the app is not free. Once the app finishes downloading, it’ll show up under the Applications section of your Library. (The Applications section will be automatically enabled once you have an app or you can enable it yourself from Preferences > General).

The next time you connect your iPhone (3G or the older one with iPhone 2.0 firmware) or iPod Touch (again with 2.0 firmware), the app should sync and become available on your home screen. I am yet to get my hands on the 2.0 firmware, so I’ll update this post with my experiences once I have it up and running. Update: Firmware 2.0 and the iTunes App Store experience in India.

Overall the purchase experience is quite smooth. There are some quirks though – especially for the Indian users. The application prices are quoted in US $. What comes on your credit-card statement in Indian Rupees will depend on the exchange rate on the day the charge hits your card. Also, if you have the mini iTunes Store enabled, instead of suggestions relevant to your currently playing song, you’ll just get an empty frame – a direct consequence of the iTunes Store in India being App only.

Did we miss something? Got questions about purchasing apps from the iTunes Store? Let us know in the comments and we’ll try and get you an answer.

If you are in India, you can now access the iTunes Store. You cannot browse or purchase music (bummer!), but the App Store is now available. Which means you can purchase and download apps for your iPhone or iPod Touch. A lot of quality apps are available for free while quite a few of them are very reasonably priced at under 10 USD (~430 INR). One caveat though – be prepared to prove your location by providing your credit-card information – even if you intend to download one of the free apps. The store accepts Master Card, Visa and Amex cards.

We’ll shortly post a walkthrough showing how you can sign-up and purchase applications online.

Update: The walkthrough is now up.