Sep 4, 2010 19:31 GMT  ·  By
At the September 1 event in San Francisco, Apple Chief Executive Officer, Steve Jobs confirmed the new additions in iOS 4.1, including fixes for the issues plaguing users
   At the September 1 event in San Francisco, Apple Chief Executive Officer, Steve Jobs confirmed the new additions in iOS 4.1, including fixes for the issues plaguing users

Tests carried out using a "final release" version of iOS 4.1 have revealed considerable improvement in the behavior of the software on iPhone 3G handsets, according to a technology web site.

Known to slow down old-generation hardware, iOS 4.0 was released this summer packing over 100 new features, including multitasking, application folders, an improved Mail with a unified inbox, Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform, iBooks and others.

Virtually an entire iPhone 3G community reported major issues with iOS 4.0, following the public release of the software.

Apple later acknowledged these issues and promised a firmware fix.

According to Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaking at the company’s Septmeber 1 event in San Francisco, that fix is scheduled to ship on September 8, inside iOS 4.1.

Apple also posted a message on its UK web site signaling that iOS 4.1 is to arrive on September 8.

Surprisingly, the company's US store still lists availability as "coming soon" (at the time of this writing)

Lifehacker now claims Apple has finally nailed pretty much every bug that slowed down iPhone 3G handsets.

The site posted a video comparing the behavior of one iPhone 3G unit running iOS 4.0 and iOS 4.1 subsequently.

According to the testers, the most noticeable difference was "UI responsiveness." The video, embedded below, stands as testimony.

The iOS 4.1 Software Update is the first major update to iOS 4. It brings Game Center, new iTunes features, high dynamic range photography, HD video uploads, and more to iPhone and iPod touch.

iOS 4.1 will be applicable on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, the second-, third-, and the fourth-generation iPod touch.

For iPad customers, Apple has prepared iOS 4.2, which the company previews in a special page on its web site.

With iOS 4.2, Apple plans to bring some of the features originally introduced in iOS 4.0 over to the iPad.

These include application folders, multitasking, and others. Apple previously noted that iOS 4 was due for iPad in Fall 2010.

“Look for iOS 4.2 coming in November for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch,” Apple now states.

Notably, the software also brings Airplay, a new feature recently announced by Apple that allows users to wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from an iPad to the new Apple TV.

The function also allows streaming music to AirPlay-supported speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express, Apple said.