Apple showcases iPhone 3.0 software

Apple is updating its software for iPhones so that users can cut, copy and paste text  – a basic computing feature that many people had lamented was missing from the gadget that seems to do everything.

At a function held at its US headquarters, Apple previewed the third generation of iPhone software, due to be released this later this year, which it said will encompass over 100 other new features.

"The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike. It will keep us years ahead of the competition," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

These include:

• MMS, which gives the ability to send and receive photos, contacts, audio files and locations with the Messages app;
• the ability to capture and send audio recordings on the go with the new Voice Memo app;
• landscape view will be available for Mail, Text and Notes, giving users a wider screen to work on.;
• search capabilities will be expanded, allowing customers to search within Mail across other features;
• a search function called Spotlight will lets people hunt for information in multiple applications at once, including Notes, Calendar and iTunes.

However, the list of updates did not include support for video recording (a feature found in even the most common mobile phones), support for Flash-based websites, and tethering support, which would allow users to hook their phones up to a laptop and use it as  a modem.

The company also pledged to broaden the way that third-party software programmers can build and sell content for the device.

Among other things, software developers now will be able to create applications that have items for sale within them, such as electronic books or additional levels of a video game. And developers will be able to access the music within users’ iPhone libraries, so songs they own can be included in games, for example.

The event did provide a showcase for plenty of nifty new iPhone features, and the company trotted out a number of developers to demonstrate the remarkable applications being designed for the smartphone.

Today, the groundbreaking App Store has more than 25,000 applications available to consumers, and 15 more countries have been added so the App Store is now available in 77 countries, allowing developers to reach more than 30 million iPhone and iPod touch users around the world. Developers set the price for their applications and retain 70 percent of all sales revenue. Apple covers all credit card, web hosting and infrastructure costs associated with offering applications on the App Store.

Pricing & Availability
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).**

*MMS messaging is available only on iPhone 3G; fees may apply. MMS may not be available in all areas.

Related articles :

• The iPhone OS 3.0 Announcement Scorecard (mobilecrunch.com)
• iPhone 3.0 OS Guide: Everything You Need to Know ( Gizmodo.com )
  

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