Apple began a new operating system for its popular iPhone stage Tuesday aimed at keeping the smart phone ahead of a pack of opponents who also are looking to use software to close the remoteness.
The iPhone “OS 3.0”, which will work on iPhones and the iPod Touch, contains more than 100 developments and will be existing this summer. The updates and skin texture target end-users as well as the iPhone's burgeoning developer socity, which has created more than 25,000 apps in just eight months using open software tools.
Scott Forstall said, "We are so excited about this," senior vice president of iPhone software at the company's Cupertino headquarters. "There are unbelievable features for our developers and our users."
For iPhone users, the enhancements include long-anticipated upgrades like cut and paste, picture messaging, stereo Bluetooth and a landscape typing role for e-mails, notes and messages. Spotlight, a search function for the Mac operating system, will be available on the iPhone, giving people the chance to conduct universal searches across all their iPod content, contacts, applications, messages and notes. The OS also will feature improved calendar and stock apps and a new voice memo program.
The more profound changes, however, involve updated tools for developers. Apple released a beta software development kit for the iPhone OS 3.0 that includes much more access to the core system, giving code writers the power and flexibility to create more robust programs.
A new push notification system allows developers to send alerts to users for apps that are not actively running. A peer-to-peer function allows designers to link two iPhones via Bluetooth for multiplayer gaming or information sharing. Developers also can enable payments inside their apps so users can buy new updates and items.
Some hoped-for improvements like voice-dialing, video and Adobe Flash support, however, were not included in the update. IPhone tethering, which allows the phone to be used as a 3G wireless modem, has been enabled but its use will be left up to operators. Presented iPhone users will be able to get the updated operating system for free; iPod Touch owners will have to pay $9.95 for the new software.
While the original iPhone wowed users with its elegant user interface and applications, the opening of the system to outside developers in July made the platform even more attractive to consumers. By the end of 2008, Apple had sold more than 30 million iPhones and iPod Touches, and users have downloaded more than 800 million applications in eight months.
That fast-growing mobile market continues to draw developers eager to cash in.
Seth Sternberg, co-founder of instant messaging site Meebo, unveiled the company's first IM app for the iPhone on Tuesday. He said the company was waiting for the push notification feature to be enabled before it launched its program.
"I think the new OS will absolutely accelerate developer adoption of Apple's iPhone platform," Sternberg said.
That continued developer momentum is key to Apple's future success, said analysts who attended the media briefing. As competitors such as Research in Motion, Nokia, Google, Microsoft and Palm prepare to start up mobile application stores, Apple needs to stay ahead by giving developers plenty of reasons to keep building off its operating system, said Nathan Brookwood, a market research analyst and consultant with Insight 64.
Brookwood said Apple appears more than up to the challenge.
"This is awesome stuff," he said. "It not only unleashes creativity but does it in a consistent way. Apple is putting more distance between itself and the competition because of its user interface and the large number of apps."
Apple shares closed up $4.24, or 4.44 percent, to end the day at $99.66.
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