It was just
a few weeks ago that Apple made iOS 4.1 available to iPhone and
iPod touch users. The mobile operating system also later showed up on
the fourth generation iPod touch.
Today, however, Apple is making
available the first beta
release of iOS 4.2. The big news for iOS 4.2 is that this will be
the first release that will bring the iPad in line with the iPhone
and iPod touch when it comes to software releases. As a result, the
iPad will finally gain multitasking, folders, and a unified inbox for
the Mail app among other things that iPhone and iPod touch users have
been enjoying for months.
In addition, iOS 4.2 brings the
following features:
- The ability to search actual websites
with Safari
- AirPlay multimedia wireless streaming
- AirPrint wireless printing for all iOS
4.2 devices
“AirPrint is Apple’s powerful new
printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS—no set up,
no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download,”
said
Apple's Philip Schiller. “iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can
simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly to an HP
ePrint printer or to a printer shared on a Mac or PC.”
IOS 4.2 should bow in completed form
this November.
