"It wasn't important for features per se, it's important because it shows Apple can give the iPhone extended life by delivering upgrades through the iTunes utility that change and enhance the iPhone and the way it works.
It's really something no one else has done as well (Microsoft does offer some in place updates to Windows Mobile but it's rare that anyone has implemented them. MSFT also offers some ROM refreshes to carriers but rarely do we so those offered to consumers and they also require a complete re-setup of the device). The iPhone's updating mechanism is one of the un-sung feature of the line and it's something that, I suspect, is going to become even more important later in 2008."
