On March 17, Apple presented the blueprint for iPhone OS 3.0, the next version of the world’s most advanced mobile platform.
Apple’s third generation of the iPhone operating system will correct some of the most glaring omissions to date. Key changes include cut, copy & paste functionality, stereo Bluetooth A2DP support, the ability to send and receive MMS messages and a new, universal Spotlight search.
New iPhone SDK___In addition, developers will have 1,000 new APIs (application programming interfaces) to play with that will unlock parts of the iPhone previously off limits or unavailable to third-party applications. Apple didn’t get into all of them, but talked about how developers can now stream audio and video, send e-mail from inside applications, and use the iPhone’s proximity sensor, which means Google will once again be in compliance with the iPhone SDK.
Push Notification__The Apple Push Notification service provides a way to alert your users of new information, even when your application isn’t running. The alerts supported by the service include changing of the app icon (addition of a counter icon badge), pop-up SMS-style reminders or sound alerts.
Cut, copy, and paste — Users finally have the ability to copy and paste text, even across applications. They demonstrated this feature on-stage, and it looked quite easy to use: You just double click on the text you want to cut or copy, and a menu balloon appears above it. If you want to select a more text, you can drag the selection bar to encompass an entire passage. You can also copy and paste multiple photos. This is one of the 100 new features Apple says it will be adding for iPhone users (as opposed to developers).
Syncing of Notes__Other new features include the syncing of Notes, iTunes account creation from the iPhone, YouTube accounts and subscriptions in the YouTube app, and of course stereo A2DP Bluetooth! A2DP is only for the iPhone 3G, but hey, pretty cool.
MMS__Also updated in 3.0, Messages, Apple’s text messaging app. As expected, it will soon support MMS, forwarding and deletion. Also some enhancements to Calendar: support for CalDev and subscriptions. Search has been added to all key apps — Mail, Calendar, iPod, Notes. And now an entirely new app: Voice Memos.
In-App Purchases__App developers will now be able to explore other models to make money, besides charging a one-time fee, or making the application free and running ads. Those models include subscriptions or charging for additional content, free apps will not be able to offer paid upgrades.
P2P__Another new addition to the platform: support for peer-to-peer connectivity. This will really extend the iPhone as a gaming platform. Automatic discovery through Bluetooth. No need to join a WiFi network.
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
The iPhone will also be able to support turn-by-turn navigation when 3.0 is released, although developers will have to provide their own maps due to licensing issues. Still, expect to see Garmin or some of the other big names jump on this bandwagon early.Maps
MAP__You can now embed maps within your applications using the new Map Kit framework. Map Kit works with the Google Mobile Maps Service and features panning and zooming, custom annotations, current location and geocoding.
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