14 DAY TRIAL // Kevin Rose claims to have "confirmation" that copy-paste is the centerpiece of the new iPhone OS (3.0) set to be unveiled tomorrow, March 17. The Digg founder also mentioned multitasking and some “Palm Pre” functionality in a live episode of Diggnation recorded at Austin's South by Southwest festival.
Softpedia published a report last week saying that Apple was set to display a preview version of the new iPhone OS on March 17. According to Engadget, Apple will merely offer a sneak peek at the fresh iPhone OS 3.0, as well as a look at a new version of the Software Development Kit (SDK). The full-fledged iPhone 3.0 software is launching at a later time.
According to Rose citing a "friend" who has previously been a reliable source, to select text, users would double-tap on a word to bring up the iPhone's magnifying glass and then extend quotes (“...”) to select the text the user wishes to copy. Rose makes no mentioning of the “cut” functionality.
See the Diggnation live recording here. Viewer discretion is advised due to potentially offensive language.
The Digg founder also mentions "multitasking" but is interrupted by the cheering crowd. The feature would let users launch new apps without quitting an active program. This and other Palm Pre functionality is said to be making its way into the fresh OS.
While Rose accurately leaked the fourth-generation iPod nano and key components of iTunes 8, he has inaccurately predicted Blu-ray support and a number of iPhone features in the past, AppleInsider notes, citing a mixed track record for Apple-related rumors, as far as the Digg founder is concerned.
However, this time around, there is strong indication that Rose's forecast is indeed correct, most notably, a Gizmodo report which also claims to have similar tips relating to copy-and-paste - independent of Rose's comments, AppleInsider adds. Apple itself suggested the feature would eventually arrive. Seemingly, the main drawback has always been “a checklist of priorities” which, until now, pushed copy-and-paste out of all major revisions to the iPhone OS.
As always, readers are encouraged to leave their comments expressing their satisfaction / discontent with the rumored upcoming iPhone OS features.