In a special event today, Apple gave the world a peak at iPhone OS 3.0, the next operating system that will run the iPhone and iPod touch. Apple touts the new OS as adding 100 new features for users and 1,000 new elements for developers. Some of the highlighted features include:
- Copy and paste
- MMS, aka multimedia messaging service; text messages with photos and videos
- Bluetooth connections between iPhones and iPod touches (the OS also unlocks the Bluetooth hardware included, but not currently used, in the second-generation iPod touch)
- Bluetooth stereo streaming
- Spotlight search functionality on the home page
- Tethering, to allow use of iPhone as modem for computers (for an additional fee)
- Background push notifications so apps can deliver content when they’re not being run
- Support for peripherals through the dock connector
Some new Apple-authored apps – and changes to existing ones - will come with the OS, as well, including:
- Voice memos, which does what you’d expect from the name
- A revised Stocks app
- Landscape mode in mail, text, and notes
- Expanded search functionality
- Notes that can sync to Macs and PCs, unlike in the current OS
- Form auto-fill and anti-phishing tools in Safari
- Shake-to-shuffle in the iPod app, a la the 4th-generation iPod nano
IPhone OS 3.0 will be available to iPhone owners as a free update in the summer. As usual, iPod touch owners will need to pay US$9.95 to upgrade, through the unlocking of Bluetooth ought to make the upgrade decision easy for most.
Apple also said that the company has sold 17 million iPhones and 13 million iPod touches.
Comments
Hi..I have an ipod touch 2G purchased in the US but im using it in India..I need clarifcation on some things,
1.Will the app store be made available in India?
2.Is the bluetooth faciltiy limited ie-ipod to ipod only?
1. I believe it already is, though I’m not 100% sure. If it’s not, I believe it will be with iPhone 3.0.
2. You’ll have A2DP streaming via Bluetooth also. What other devices would you want to be able to connect to?
The Itunes store is not available though the app store is. Thanks for that.
I want to connect my laptop and cellphone via bluetooth with the ipod.
Ah, do you mean the iTunes WiFi Store on the iPhone? Not sure when that’s coming to India.
As to the Bluetooth, I don’t expect that you’ll be able to do that, but I guess we’ll see when the final details are revealed.