iPhone OS 3.1.1 enables Exchange device encryption; shuns iPhone 3G, 1G iPhone

Are you using your iPhone 3G to connect to Microsoft Exchange? Well, here’s a reason for you not to upgrade to iPhone OS 3.1.1 aside from it shutting the door on your unlocked iPhone.

Apple has just confirmed that new firmware also comes with an Exchange ActiveSync mailbox policy that now requires encryption on the device which, unfortunately, the original iPhone and iPhone 3G doesn’t come with. Only the iPhone 3G S supports this feature.

The solution? Ruling out the option of having to shell out your hard earned cash to buy the new iPhone 3G S, you’ll have to contact your Exchange Server administrator and hope that they’re amendable to turning off device encryption. That’s probably a long shot so the next best and most likely to work solution is to just lay off the iPhone OS 3.1.1 upgrade until a workaround is available.

[apple via engadget]