WWDC 09 - OS3.0 Gives iPhone Much Needed Boost in Specs

It’s WWDC time, and Apple is gearing up the audience for the launch of the iPhone third Generation that could be announced at the event. As much as the anticipation is building up to a frenzy, Apple is at least showcasing the new features that OS 3.0 will be incorporating. Apple’s Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, gave the keynote at the event and demo-ed OS3.0 to the waiting public. According to the reports, here’s what we’ve got so far –

The new OS will have a built in mobile tracking and Remote Wipe feature that will be usable via MobileMe. Finally, a security precaution for a handset that fans consider the be all and end all of all mobile handsets. A space for storing anything and everything they own in a digital medium from simple contacts to business emails etc. This service called Find My iPhone (catchy name) will allow users to erase sensitive data off of the device and even locate it on Google maps. It’ll also activate a sound in the handset even if it’s in silent mode so you can even locate it at home if it’s misplaced. Move over Samsung Mobile Tracker. But is this enough? If my iPhone were stolen, I’d like to make absolutely sure no one uses it after. Simply being able to restore it to factory mode is not good enough, but it’ll have to do... for now.

Next up, Safari gets an upgrade to include JavaScript (3X faster), and support for QuickTime X-style HTTP streaming of audio and video. It will also have an AutoFill for forms and come with improved HTML 5 support including audio and video tags. This will make web browsing on the device a much better experience, I’m hoping.

As of now, the iPhone’s MMS option will be available from 29 carriers at the time of its launch. The carriers are yet to be named. This is about time.

Tethering your handset over Bluetooth and USB for Apple’s Macs and even a PC (thank goodness) is also going to be enabled. This means you’ll be able to use your handset as a portable modem, provided your service provider is on board of course.

Cut Copy Paste will now finally be part of the feature-set. No need to jailbreak it and install third party apps or purchase them off the AppStore.

It also looks like we’ll soon see a landscape QWERTY keypad for all apps that require tying and not just the browser. SMS in QWERTY – AWESOME!

Movies and even Audio Books will now be available for download and rent.

Bluetooth has also finally made a jump to a higher level in the handset and OS with the ability to support pairing between devices for games data transfers etc.

Tom Tom has also thrown its hat into the ring of iPhone developers with a Turn by Turn guidance system for the handset’s GPS module making it just that much better than it was. A Docking port has also been designed especially for the iPhone to cradle it in portrait and landscape modes.

OS 3.0 is free for iPhone users and will cost Rs. 473 ($9.95) for iPod Touch users. The new OS will be available from June 17th 2009. I can hardly wait!