Apple today unveiled the blueprint for iPhone OS 3.0 — the next version of the software for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Available today to iPhone developers, and released to iPhone owners sometime “this summer,” the new iPhone OS brings over 100 new features, including some that have been missing or promised for a long time.
Here are some of the more notable enhancements you can look forward to:
Push notifications, originally promised for September 2008, Apple claims that when they introduced the concept to developers, they came up with so many new ways of using this technology, they had to go back and revisit the server infrastructure to support it. Push notifications are significant to BigBlueBall readers, because they allow IM programs such as Meebo, Beejive and AIM to keep you connected, even though their program isn’t running (background apps are still a no-no on the iPhone).
Cut-and-paste makes its way onto the iPhone, allowing you to cut, copy and paste between apps.
MMS support arrives, but unfortunately for the early adopters, you must have an iPhone 3G or newer. Yes, you’ll finally be able to send and receive images and voice memos.
Peer-to-Peer connectivity via Bluetooth and wifi will allow gaming, file sharing and more.
Turn-by-turn GPS directions will now be possible in apps, but the developer will need to license those maps. I’m betting we’ll see something from Google.
And landscape typing will be an option everywhere, including the built-in mail app and SMS.
There are many more features, and since it’s not available until this summer, that gives us plenty of time to learn more about what we can expect.
Oh, and the upgrade will be free to iPhone owners. iPod Touch owners will pay $9.95 for the privilege.
For more great coverage of the new iPhone OS, check out tuaw.com and Engadget.
The push notification looks great, but then again, it’s sounded great for a long time already. It will be interesting to see what new uses the app developers dream up for push.
Having used a Windows Mobile phone for a couple years before I got an iPhone, I can honestly say I’d rather not run apps in the background. The push notifications sounds much more appealing. It will preserve memory and extend battery life significantly (vs background task).
All in all, this looks great. Is it summertime yet?
Some nice features, but will there be a new model to go with it?
Any truth to the rumor that Apple has let developers begin testing push notification today?