14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has posted new iPhone OS 3.0 launch dates on corporate websites like Apple Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand because of earlier-than-US time zones. Although Apple is falling late in delivering the software, iPhone OS 3.0 should become available any minute now, worldwide.
Territories such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand are on the list for a June 18 launch:
New Zealand - 11 hours ahead of GMT; Australia - nine hours ahead of GMT; Japan - eight hours ahead of GMT; Hong Kong and Singapore - seven hours ahead of GMT.
So, in case you were thinking of suing Apple, calm down and wait for the update to appear in iTunes. Be sure to connect your device and to hit “Check for Update” from time to time.
Apple already published the iPhone2,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw file to its servers yesterday, although the package in question is applicable only to iPhone 3G S handsets. The new device is due on June 19, two days from now. Holders of a current-generation iPhone are anxiously waiting for files listed as iPhone1.2_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw (which is the correct file name for the OS 3.0 Software Update aimed at the iPhone 3G) or iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw (the 3.0 Software Update package for first-generation iPhones).
The much-craved-for iPhone OS 3.0 packs new functionality, including Copy and Paste, MMS, Spotlight Search (to search across iPhone or within Mail, Contacts, Calendar and iPod, landscape keyboard for Mail, Messages, Notes and Safari), expanded parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store, and the ability to capture and send audio recordings on the go with the new Voice Memo app. The ability to wirelessly download movies, TV and audio programs is also included with iPhone OS 3.0 and the enhanced version of iTunes. iTunes U is also supported right on the iPhone / iPod touch, under the new OS.
But that’s not all! iPhone 3.0 software will offer a new Find My iPhone feature that integrates with MobileMe to help the user find his / her phone, in case they've lost it. The feature can show them their phone on a map, send a message that appears on the phone's screen, or play a sound to help them find it even in their own house. In case of theft, the user can choose to remotely “wipe” all data on the device. To use the Find My iPhone feature, iPhone owners will also have to be MobileMe customers. The service is already live, according to at least one source.