While Apple's registered developers already have access to the iPhone OS 3.0 beta software release, regular iPhone and iPod touch users will only get the update in summer, when Apple feels confident the OS will behave well on every device. Just like it always does with major software releases, Apple has set a $9.95 upgrade price on the software for iPod touch users. iPhone owners benefit from the 100+ new features included with OS 3.0 free of charge.

The company's official report “Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0” outlines every important announcement made during yesterday's event. The Mac maker reveals that iPhone OS 3.0 Beta includes an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with over 1,000 new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) aimed at things like:

- In-App Purchases
- Peer-to-Peer connections
- an app interface for accessories
- access to the iPod music library
- a new Maps API and Push Notifications.

Apple also confirmed that over 100 new features would be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer. Those include cut, copy and paste; MMS; landscape view for Mail, Text and Notes; stereo Bluetooth; syncing Notes to the Mac and PC; shake to shuffle; parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store; and automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots. A new Voice Memo app and expanded search capability for all key iPhone apps will also be part of the new software, as well as Spotlight search across the iPhone or iPod touch.

However, all this comes at a price for iPod touch owners, who are freer to do what they want with their devices. An excerpt from Apple's report goes a bit like this:

The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and SDK will be available for registered developers to download starting today from developer.apple.com. iPhone customers will be able to download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software for free this summer and iPod touch customers will be able to purchase a software update for $9.95 (US).
(highlight ours)

Be sure to check out all related stories on Apple's March 17 event, right here on Softpedia.