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iPhone OS 3.0 Packs 100+ Features, Including Copy/Paste, MMS

Apple has also expanded Search to Mail, iPod and Notes

Mar 18, 2009 08:17 GMT  ·  By
March 17, 2009; Cupertino, California – Apple's Scot Forstall, confirming the new features to everyone's delight
   March 17, 2009; Cupertino, California – Apple's Scot Forstall, confirming the new features to everyone's delight

Scot Forstall, Apple's SVP of iPhone Software, revealed yesterday that iPhone OS 3.0 was the most advanced mobile OS ever created. Launching this summer as a free download to all iPhone owners, and as a paid upgrade to iPod touch users, the new software packs over 100 fresh features, addressing the needs of iPhone / iPod touch owners and developers alike.

With over 100 fresh features including cut, copy and paste which can be done within or across applications, MMS to send and receive photos, contacts, audio files and locations with the Messages app, and the ability to capture and send audio recordings on the go with the new Voice Memo app, Apple believes it has hit all the right spots this time around. There's more!

Landscape view will be available for Mail, Text and Notes, while the Search capabilities will be expanded to search within Mail, iPod and Notes or search across all key apps by typing a key word or phrase into the new Spotlight search – accessed from the Home screen. An updated Stock app will add the ability to display recent company news and current trading information. For example, users will be able to see opening or average price, trading volume or Market Cap, even in landscape view. Those running OS 3.0 will also be able to view shared calendars right on their iPhone (with CalDAV support), and sync their calendars with iCal, Yahoo, Google and Oracle, as well as read and compose email and text messages in landscape view.

With the new SDK, members of the iPhone Developer Program can build applications that do even more. Developers will have the tools to enable in-app purchases — like subscriptions, additional game levels, and new content. They can also create apps that connect peer to peer via Bluetooth, communicate with hardware accessories, and use the Apple Push Notification service to provide alerts.

The fresh iPhone OS 3.0 software will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer. It will be a free update to all iPhone users, while iPod touch owners will have to pay the usual $9.95 for the upgrade. Due to hardware differences, features such as A2DP and MMS won’t be available on the original iPhone. The developer beta of iPhone OS 3.0 is available as of today, accompanied by a new beta of the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK).