14 DAY TRIAL // Apple Chief Executive Officer, Steve Jobs confirmed during the company’s media event held in San Francisco on September 1 that iOS 4.1 was on its way with cool new features, as well as a bag of fixes for existing issues, including the proximity sensor problem typical to iPhone 4 handsets.
Steve Jobs announced during yesterday’s event that one of the company’s new iPods, namely the new iPod touch, was shipping soon packing iOS 4.1.
Jobs noted that all iOS devices (except for the iPad) were getting the update for free, and that new features included high dynamic range photography, Game Center, iTunes Ping and more.
“The iOS 4.1 Software Update is the first major update to iOS 4, bringing Game Center, new iTunes features, high dynamic range photography, and more to iPhone,” reads a statement on the Apple.com web site.
“The new iPod touch comes with iOS 4.1, the newest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system,” Apple said in a press release.
“iOS 4.1 enables new features like FaceTime video calling, multitasking, folders and Game Center.”
The Cupertino giant confirmed that existing owners of a second or third generation iPod touch will be able to update to iOS 4.1 free of charge on September 8.
A full list of new features is provided on Apple’s web site under the iPhone and iPod sections, each with a brief description, as reproduced below.
Game Center
Experience social gaming on your iPhone. Find friends or use auto-match to play multiplayer games against new opponents. Track achievements and compare high scores.
iTunes TV show rentals
Rent TV shows commercial-free right from your iPhone for just 99¢ an episode and start watching them in minutes.
iTunes Ping
Take advantage of new social discovery features in iTunes. Keep up with your friends’ music and follow your favorite artists.
HDR photography
Take great photos that capture a wider range of light intensity using the new high dynamic range (HDR) setting on iPhone 4, which automatically combines multiple exposures into a single HDR image.
HD video uploads
Upload HD video to YouTube and MobileMe from your iPhone 4
Naturally, the iOS 4.1 Software Update also includes all the new features from iOS 4.
The iOS 4.1 IPSW file will be applicable to iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, the second-, third-, and the fourth-generation iPod touch.
iPhone 3G owners should keep their fingers crossed for iOS 4.1 may just make their phones operable again.