Apple will display an "advance preview of what they're building" on March 17, Engadget reports. Allegedly, Apple will be offering members of the press 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).

From the original report...:

We just got the announcement, iPhone OS 3.0 is coming. Set your clocks, mark your calendars. It's going down March 17th. Apparently, we'll get a sneak peak at the new OS, as well as a look at a brand new version of the SDK.

According to the folks at The Boy Genius Report, Apple is adding MMS and tethering via Bluetooth and USB with the new software version. While Apple has announced a new iPhone OS version, a fresh device is still unconfirmed. However, most people are holding their breath for such an announcement come March 17.

But before Apple discloses the new stuff added in iPhone OS 3.0, as well as the changes occurring with the iPhone SDK, let's have another look at the release notes for the current firmware version, iPhone OS 2.2.1.

Enhancements to Maps

- Google Street View
- Public transit and walking directions
- Display address of dropped pins
- Share location via email

Decrease in call setup failures and dropped calls

Enhancements to Mail

- Resolved isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email
- Improved formatting of wide HTML email

Podcasts are now available for download in iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular network)

Improved stability and performance of Safari

Improved sound quality of Visual Voicemail messages

Pressing Home button from any Home screen displays the first Home screen

Preference to turn on/off auto-correction in Keyboard Settings.


The folks at GSM Arena have a “wish list” for future versions of the iPhone OS. Those include smart dialing (noting that even feature phones have that now); the Lock screen can accommodate some info plug-ins such as upcoming appointments and events, weather, stocks, news, RSS feeds, etc.; a Wireless manager would make turning on/off 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, Airplane mode, and Bluetooth much more user-friendly; hardware button for camera (would probably require a new device altogether).

And so the waiting begins...