Updated 26 May, 2012, 11:56 am IST

Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 Brings Relevant Upgrades

18 Mar, 2009, 10:02 am IST | by Shayne Rana |

Hang onto your headsets people, Apple has previewed their Apple iPhone OS 3.0 software and it’s a doozy!!! The beta software release to registered developers is going to be available immediately. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta release includes an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with over 1,000 new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) including 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.

Apple also announced over a 100 new features that will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer including cut, copy and paste and here’s a good one - MMS!!!

Some of the other new features that 3.0 brings to the table will include –

Cut, copy and paste,
System-wide landscape keyboard,
Forward and delete individual messages
Text and Notes,
Stereo Bluetooth (FINALLY!),
Syncing Notes to the Mac and PC,
Password login manager for Safari
Shake to shuffle,
YouTube accounts and YouTube subscriptions available
Parental controls for TV shows,
Movies and apps from the App Store, �
Automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots,
Voice Memo app,
Live video and audio streaming
Expanded search capability for all key iPhone apps
Spotlight search across the iPhone or iPod touch

“The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike. It will keep us years ahead of the competition,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

The MMS feature will finally enable users to send and receive photos, contacts, audio files and locations with the Messages app; and also allow them to capture and send audio recordings on the go with the new Voice Memo app. Search capabilities will be expanded, allowing customers to search within Mail, iPod and Notes or search across all key apps by typing a key word or phrase into the new Spotlight search, conveniently accessed from the Home screen. The updated Stock app will add the ability to display recent company news and current trading information like opening or average price, trading volume or Market Cap, and will offer a landscape view to see a full screen of any stock chart. Customers will also be able to view shared calendars right on their iPhone with CalDAV support and sync their calendars with iCal, Yahoo, Google and Oracle.

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Included in the 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.

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The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and SDK will be available for registered developers to download starting today from developer.apple.com. iPhone customers will be able to download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software for free this summer and iPod touch customers will be able to purchase a software update for Rs. 512 ($9.95 US).

All I have to say is that things are finally looking up for iPhone and iPod Touch users. For more screenshots click here. To view the video presentation click here.

Tags: Apple , iPhone 3G , iPhone OS 3.0