Apple Previews iPhone OS 3.0 Software Features

 
Ahead of the official iPhone OS 3.0 software update release for iPhone and iPod Touch this summer, Apple previewed some new features and also announced the immediate availability of the iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and updated SDK for registered developers. Perhaps Apple has been sensing all the excitement surrounding the upcoming Palm Pre smartphone from Sprint and are hoping to show iPhone customers that the iPhone OS 3.0 update is up to the challenge.

There's nothing exceptionally groundbreaking here, but iPhone 3g and iPod Touch users will be happy to know that Apple has over 100 new features on the way, including cut, copy and paste, MMS, landscape view for Mail, Text and Notes, stereo Bluetooth, syncing Notes to the Mac and PC, shake to shuffle, parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store, and automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots. You can also expect a new Voice Memo app, expanded search capability for all key iPhone apps, and Spotlight search for the iPhone or iPod touch. Sorry, no background apps or multitasking capabilities in this update. iPhone OS 3.0 will be free for iPhone owners, while iPod touch users will have to pay-up $9.95 for the software update.

For developers, the iPhone OS 3.0 beta release includes an updated SDK with over 1,000 new APIs. These include In-App Purchases, Peer-to-Peer connections, an app interface for accessories, access to the iPod music library, a new Maps API and Push Notifications.

The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and SDK include over 1,000 new APIs and are available today for all iPhone Developer Program members to use for development and testing of their apps for iPhone and iPod touch. Included in these APIs is the ability to leverage the incredible purchase model of the App Store within apps. In-App Purchases will allow developers to offer subscription content and provide the ability to sell new content and features in a simple and secure process. Developers can also more easily create peer-to-peer games for iPhone and iPod touch by using Bluetooth.

Another key developer feature in the iPhone OS 3.0 beta software is the ability for apps to interface with hardware accessories, creating a whole new element of control for iPhone and iPod touch accessory developers as well as a new ecosystem of solutions for customers. Developers will also be able to use Apple's new Maps API to integrate Google Mobile Maps services within their apps which will offer Google Map tiles, current location, custom annotations and geocoding. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software includes the Apple Push Notification service which provides developers with a mechanism to alert users with sounds, text or a badge.

Watch Apple's full Press event video here