Apple Officially Launches iOS 4.2 for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

“Apple’s iOS 4.2 Available Today for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch,” reads the latest headline over at the Apple.com PR section. Apple touts the software update as a “major” release, highlighting new additions like Multitasking, Folders, Unified Inbox, Game Center, AirPlay & AirPrint which specifically target the company’s tablet computer. As of this writing, the iOS 4.2 IPSW was not downloadable. The update should arrive shortly via iTunes.

The official announcement is reproduced below, including a statement from CEO Steve Jobs:

CUPERTINO, California—November 22, 2010—Apple® today announced that iOS 4.2, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, is available today for download for iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch®. iOS 4.2 brings over 100 new features from iOS 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2 to iPad including Multitasking, Folders, Unified Inbox, Game Center, AirPlay® and AirPrint.  

“iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Once again, the iPad with iOS 4.2 will define the target that other tablets will aspire to, but very few, if any, will ever be able to hit.”

Apple’s announcement continues with elaborated descriptions of the main features in iOS 4.2, including:

· the ability to run your favorite apps and switch between them instantly via multitasking;
· the ability to organize apps with drag-and-drop using Folders;
· the improved Mail app, which now features a Unified Inbox, fast inbox switching and a threaded message view.
· Game Center, which allows iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users to challenge and play games with friends online
· AirPlay, which streams music, video and photos wirelessly from iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to Apple TV
· AirPrint, the next-generation Wi-Fi print architecture that dramatically simplifies printing by completely eliminating printer drivers.
· Find My iPhone (or iPad or iPod touch): now free to use without a MobileMe subscription

Apple also confirms that iDevice owners have downloaded more than seven billion apps from the iTunes App Store. There are currently over 300,000 titles living in the online venue, 40,000 of which are native iPad apps, the company said.