Geekshow

MacGeek – Apple announces iPhone OS 3.0 features

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Copy/Paste and MMS are only a few…

Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, CA housed the iPhone 3.0 preview event. And let me first of all thank Engadget for doing such an amazing job of covering this preview.

Let’s get right into it. The major announcements include:

Cut, copy and paste. This works across apps and with multiple photos in email. Also, shake to undo/redo.

MMS at long last! Also forward and delete multiple messages.

Unlocked Bluetooth functionality on 2G iPod Touch.

A2DP stereo Bluetooth.

Spotlight – Universal search feature added to the left of the main home screen.

Tethering built-in to the 3.0 software, but implementation is ultimately up to the carriers.

Peer-to-peer connectivity over Bluetooth for gaming and other info-swapping. (ie contacts)

Paid apps will have the potential to be subscription fee-based, and can include optional paid content that can be bought from right inside the app.

Developers can now build apps that call out to Google Maps.

Turn-by-turn directions with access to Core Data. (Access to Google Maps not included – aka B.Y.O.M)

Devs can also connect with hardware accessories over in their apps now. Connectivity works through the dock connector or over Bluetooth. (keyboard?)

Long-promised push functionality will at last be included, but apps won’t run in the background. (kills battery life)

Developers can add streaming video and audio to their apps, along with in-game voice use.

Shake to shuffle iPod playback.

A new app called Voice Memos which lets you record notes and reminders.

A revised Stocks app with news stories and a landscape view.

Landscape view available for Mail, Text and Notes.

CalDAV support has been added to Calendar, along with subscriptions support in the .ics format.

Apple’s major apps have all been expanded with search functionality.

Note syncing to Mac and PC.

YouTube account support.

Form auto-fill.

Phishing protection.

A developer beta of OS 3.0 is available today, and the 3.0 update will be coming to consumers this summer as a free update to all iPhone 3G customers. It’ll also work for 1st gen iPhone owners, though they won’t receive A2DP or MMS due to hardware limitations. iPod touch owners will be able to update for $9.95, (Déjà vu, anyone?)

During the Q & A afterwards Engaget found out that due to “hardware limitations” MMS and A2DP are not going to be available on first gen iPhones.

(Engadget)