Apple has unveiled the new features and details of the iPhone 3.0 OS today. The developer beta SDK will be released later today and iPhone 3.0 will be set free to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer. Many dreamed about features will soon be on your iPhone!

Features include Push Notification, MMS support, cut-copy-paste across most all key apps, landscape mode in most all apps, notes syncing, better calendar support, built-in voice memo app, Spotlight search, stereo Bluetooth audio support, mailing multiple photos, Peer-to-Peer connectivity (without WiFi), improvements in the YouTube app, auto-login for Wi-Fi hotspots, Safari will now able to remember login credentials and detect phishing attempts. Not mentioned was video recording, Flash support or tethering.

This update will be free to all current iPhone 3G and original iPhone users, but Apple points out some features will not be available to the original iPhone like stereo Bluetooth support and MMS support. iPod touch users will have to shell out $9.95 for the 3.0 update.

With push notifications, applications for Instant messaging, news readers, social networking, and calendaring will be able to use alerts and notification even when they are not running while saving resources and battery, unlike background processes.

iPhone Software 3.0 will also see a big changes in Google Maps. Developers will now be able to embed a map directly within their applications. The maps will support regular map, satellite, and hybrid views; adding your own locations; pinch-and-zoom; and GPS and Wi-Fi/cell location. And speaking of GPS, Apple will now allow third-parties to create GPS applications the offer turn-by-turn driving (as long as developers provide their own maps—they can’t use the included Google Maps functionality).

Overall, I have to say I am quite happy with the added features and the way the iPhone has evolved. The 3.0 release has filled in most of my wishlist.

    | Tags: Apple, iPhone, ipod touch