iOS 4.2 Will Be the Biggest 4.x Release to Date. One Month to Go

Recent findings indicate that iOS 4.2, the forthcoming software update for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, will deliver the most changes of all incremental updates since the original iOS 4 release this summer.

After looking at various reports on the topic of iOS 4.2, Softpedia concludes that Apple is on track to offer a massive software update come November 2010, bringing not only new features, but the usual bag of fixes as well.

The first evidence that iOS 4.2 is big comes from Apple itself. Soon after ending the September 1 press event, the Mac maker posted a web page to preview the new additions. The page focused on the iPad.

According to the documentation, Apple plans to bring some of the features originally introduced in iOS 4.0 over to the tablet device. These include application folders, multitasking, and others.

One feature that Apple didn’t mention in the description (but did preview it during the Sept. 1 event) was Airplay, which allows users to wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from an iPad to the new Apple TV.

Additionally, the feature can be employed to stream music to AirPlay-supported speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express.

Soon after, Apple confirmed that AirPrint was also coming to iOS devices. Much like AirPlay, the wireless feature enables supported printers to communicate with an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, and… well, print.

Since iOS 4.2 will bring all the existing features of iOS 4.1 to the iPad, plus the new ones Apple touted during the Sept. 1 keynote, here’s a list of more upcoming additions specifically targeting the iPad:

- Multitasking - Folders - AirPlay wireless music, movie, and photo streaming - Printing support over wireless networks - Game Center for multiplayer and social gaming - Unified and improved Mail inbox - Search text within Safari - Enhanced enterprise support - Accessibility enhancements - Keyboard and dictionary enhancements

There’s more in store for iPad users.

There are lots and lots of subtle changes in the iOS 4.2 Settings menu, as revealed after the seeding of iOS 4.2 betas to developers.

· Events are now just another option for Picture Frame.

· It is now possible to disable 3G in favor of EDGE, which helps save battery life

· The location services menu now provides iOS 4-standard control over notifications and permissions for the location hardware in iPads.

· The Accessibility settings have gained larger text to make the iPad’s screen easier on the eyes of the visually impaired.

· New keyboards added along with a new spellchecker.

· Parental restrictions now include controls over deleting applications and changes to e-mail accounts, as well as disabling multiplayer games over Game Center.

· Spotlight gains options for the types of content searched by the user.

· New to the Calendar application are additional display options to use either the Buddhist or Japanese (imperial) date systems

Changes spotted in the second beta of iOS 4.2, seeded to developers earlier this week, include Internet Tethering options in the settings menu (Europe only, for now) for iPad, refined animations for iPad multitasking, new YouTube video uploading options for all devices (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad), and new Game Center compatibility indicators on the iOS App Store.

Now, this is just what Apple intends to throw at iOS device owners for the time being.

There’s still a month to go before iOS 4.2 reaches the masses. During this time, Cupertino is likely to spit out a third beta of iOS 4.2 to developers, perhaps even accompanied by a new SDK.

There’s also the plaguing proximity sensor issue that Apple has yet to find a cure for, and some other issues customers are crying about on the Apple Discussions forums.

Do we need to draw it for you? Lots more new stuff is coming in iOS 4.2!