iPhone OS 3.1 Beta 2 – The Visible Changes

Details regarding the changes in iPhone OS 3.1 Beta 2 are now available via reports, one of which emphasizes a new Wi-Fi connection feature that allows devs to connect devices wirelessly, instead of requiring them to use tethering for development purposes.

iPhone OS 3.1 Beta 2, only accessible to developers enrolled in Apple's Standard or Enterprise program, reportedly received the software beta along with a new SDK version on Tuesday evening. AppleInsider reports that, “The latest beta provides a number of fixes and features, including the ability to connect to and work with a system wirelessly, without the tether of a USB cable.”

The source cites ArsTechica for details on this particular feature, with one unnamed developer calling the addition “huge.” In keeping with the developer in question, the report says that, “[This feature is] primarily geared at those who need to attach something to their iPhone or iPod touch via USB, so freeing up the USB port during the development process goes a long way in that regard. It's also undoubtedly slightly less of a pain in the butt to be able to use WiFi, though Apple warns that USB is still preferred because it's faster and draws less power from the device than using WiFi.”

Other developers talking to the tech-focused website also mention that Beta 2 enables them to connect to their devices wirelessly, with the Wi-Fi connection supporting all the features a developer would get when tethered. However, they can't install applications from Xcode over Wi-Fi. Also unsupported via the wireless connection is debugging. “Other changes in the beta 2 include a handful of bug fixes to both Xcode and various parts of the iPhone software,” developers allegedly tell the site, but no significant changes have been noticed as of yet.