The iPhone OS 3.0 beta release includes an updated software development kit (SDK) with more than 1,000 new application programming interfaces (APIs). The mobile platform also offers an app interface for accessories, access to the iPod music library, a new maps API, and push notifications.

A Bold Statement

"The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing. "It will keep us years ahead of the competition."

"Years ahead of the competition" is a bold statement from Apple. But the Mac maker is offering some proof. In addition to the more than 1,000 new APIs, Apple also announced 100-plus new features for the iPhone and iPod touch. Some of those features include cut, copy and paste, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), landscape view for mail, and text and notes.

The iPhone OS 3.0 also offers stereo Bluetooth, syncing notes to the Mac and PC, shake to shuffle, parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store, and automatic log-in at Wi-Fi hot spots. It also offers a new Voice Memo app and expanded search capabilities for all key iPhone apps, as well as s Spotlight search across the iPhone or iPod touch.

With the new APIs, developers can leverage the App Store purchase model within apps. In-App Purchases allows developers to offer subscription content and sell new content and features. Developers can also more easily create peer-to-peer games for the iPhone and iPod touch, using Bluetooth.

"Today we saw a lot of evolutionary features combined with some potentially revolutionary changes. Cut, copy and paste and MMS are things that have been in other platforms for years," said Michael Gartenberg, a vice president at Interpret. "Those features don't seem very revolutionary, but Apple did a very strong implementation of both of these things on the device."

The Next iPhone

What lays the groundwork for potentially revolutionary is the 1,000 new APIs, Gartenberg added. With support for embedding map applications in location-based services, support for applications to connect directly to hardware , and support for push notifications and streaming video and audio, he said, Apple has given developers plenty to work with.

The final iPhone OS 3.0 software will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer. The upgrade will be available for all iPhone models, making it possible to enjoy many of the new features on the first-generation hardware.

"This sets the stage perhaps for the next iteration of the iPhone this summer," Gartenberg said. "And remember, when it comes to the iPhone it is a combination of software and hardware that differentiates. So it will be interesting to see what's next from Apple from a hardware perspective."