iPhone OS 3.0 Unveiled: Rights Many Wrongs

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 17th Mar 2009
iPhone OS 3.0 Unveiled: Rights Many Wrongs
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After the disappointing iPod shuffle launch and the farce of authentication chip embedded earphones it was about time Apple gave us some good news this week, so did iPhone 3.0 OS deliver it? YES!!

In a far more open minded and wide ranging announcement than I think anyone expected from the company today it finally answered the vast majority of criticisms its two year old mobile platform has suffered.


In short here's what we DID get:
  • Copy and Paste (including Cut!) between applications, in emails and from Safari with undo support ("security issues" blamed for the delay)
  • Push notifications (true multitasking claimed to deplete battery 80 per cent faster)
  • MMS
  • Landscape keyboard in "all key applications" (SMS, email, notes listed)
  • Forwarding SMS & individual message delete
  • Mobile Spotlight (much like Palm Pre) searches all apps, iTunes & App Store from home screen. Accessed by swiping my home screen from the left.
  • A2DP Bluetooth steaming enabled on iPhone 3G for wireless music
  • Bluetooth pairing between iPhones (only) using Bonjour to make an IP connection allowing music streaming, multiplayer gaming
  • Multiple image emailing
  • Native Voice memo application with editing capabilities (goodbye third party solutions)
  • Native multiple calendar support and CalDAV and .ics compatibiliby
  • Turn by turn directions (3D mapping to be provided by third parties)
  • Search in calendars
  • Search in email (carried over IMAP if results not found on handset)
  • Auto filling forms
  • Notes synchronisation
  • YouTube app account support
  • Stocks updated with addition of news stories and a landscape view
  • Tethering (may be delayed due to individual network negotiations)
  • In App purchasing (eBooks: books, magazines: subscriptions, games: extra levels, etc)
  • Mail access direct from applications, much like Safari currently

And on the no list:
  • Video recording
  • Flash
  • MMS & A2DP Bluetooth omitted from iPhone 2G (due to different radio chipset)
Yep, the first two would have been nice and the final point is something of a kick in the teeth for day one fans but the overall picture is vastly better than could have been expected.

Developers will be able to get their hands on a beta of iPhone OS 3.0 today while consumers will have to wait until "the summer" (when likely a third generation handset will also be announced). It will be a free upgrade for iPhone owners with the - now typical - iPod touch (first and second generation) $9.95 update cost.

Well done today Apple. You've earned your praise.

Link:
iPhone OS 3.0 Official Page

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Latest 4 of 30 Comments

Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.

comment ravmania said on 18th March 2009

It's getting to the point where there are less and less missing features and I'm tempted.

@Gordon
Music player is obviously second to none. Video U... more

comment Gordon said on 18th March 2009

@ravmania - fair point. AVI support would've been one of my primary requests...

comment joose said on 18th March 2009

@Gordon - lower cost would be mine ;)

comment Kanu said on 15th April 2009

"The Most Advanced Phone OS In the World" did not have copy & paste, MMS, search in email and calendar, or Notes synchronisation? And then having charged outrageous p... more

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