With the undeniable popularity of Apple's iPhone, it's easy to forget that the super-slick handset has been missing what most would deem basic functionality since its arrival to market in June 2007.
The lack of support for MMS, the inability to copy and paste text and the absence of mail search functionality has thus far done little to hamper the iPhones success. However, in the face of increasing competition from smartphones such as the BlackBerry Storm and Palm Pre, Apple is working to fix the usability quirks for its next major software update - Apple iPhone OS 3.0.
Available today as a beta for registered developers, and coming free of charge to iPhone customers this summer, OS 3.0 promises over 100 new features. The notable inclusions, detailed by Apple, are as follows:
- Cut, copy and paste
- MMS (iPhone 3G only)
- Landscape view for Mail
- Text and Notes
- Stereo Bluetooth
- Syncing Notes to the Mac and PC
- Shake to shuffle
- Parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store
- Automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots
- Voice Memo app
- Expanded search capability for all key iPhone apps, as well as Spotlight search across the iPhone or iPod touch.
Despite offering a number of a welcome features, the forthcoming OS is far from groundbreaking and Apple's efforts appear to have been focused on the updated Software Development Kit (SDK). Apple claims to have added 1,000 new APIs to its SDK, including in-app purchasing, peer-to-peer connectivity, an app interface for accessories and push notification.
Following the success of Apple's iPhone App Store, it hopes its overhauled SDK will pave the way for next-generation applications that help introduce the handset to new audiences. Demoing early builds of applications built for iPhone OS 3.0 at its preview event in California, Apple showcased a wide range of usage scenarios available as a result of the new APIs - including multiplayer FPS gaming, turn-by-turn map navigation, and a third-party accessory that allows diabetics to check sugar levels and catalogue previous readings.
While the OS itself might not introduce anything revolutionary, Apple appears to believe that third-party applications will continue to breathe new life into its handset. Judging by the progress of its SDK and the interest of big-name developers such as Electronic Arts, we reckon it has a point.
Official press release: Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0
