Apple to upgrade iPhone with 100 new features

18 March 2009

Apple Inc yesterday unveiled the first major upgrade to its iPhone operating system in nine months at its Cupertino, California headquarters, introducing software that allows the smart phone to perform many functions that other high-end phones already can – particularly the long-missing 'cut and paste' option.

Apple said the new operating system, the third for the iPhone, will be available in the summer, and will boast 100 new features. The operating system is expected to be used in the next version of the iPhone, suggesting a new model might be released around that time.

The company also rolled out new development tools for companies building and selling iPhone programmes, and a revamped App Store, which sells iPhone downloads.

Apart from cut and paste capability, other new features include the ability to attach voice recordings, photos or contact files to emails; and a search function, dubbed "Spotlight," for scouring the phone's contents. The new iPhone can also be used to provide an Internet connection for notebook computers and other devices.

Senior vice-president Scott Forstall said Apple was late in delivering the technology. "We had to rebuild the software to do it," he said. "Here it finally is."

The operating system upgrade, the third for the iPhone, will be available from the summer and free to all iPhone users. However, users who want to download the 3.0 software onto their iPod Touch will have to pay a fee of $9.95.