iOS 4.2 to Release Today

ByMike Moffit

Apple has announced the imminent release of iOS 4.2 for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The update, which has been long awaited by iPad users, brings owners of the device over 100 new features. While the update will be simultaneously released for iPhone and iPod touch, it will undoubtably have the biggest impact on the iPad. Multitasking, folders, unified inbox, Game Center, AirPlay, and AirPrint are only a few of the new features making their debut on the platform.

The extent of AirPrint functionality featured in the release is currently unknown. It has been rumored that Apple, at the last minute, may have removed some network/shared printer support. As AirPrint is one of the more revolutionary features of the release, expect a full write up once the software update becomes publicly available. Apple’s official description is as follows:

AirPrint—Print mail, photos, web pages, and more directly to a printer on a wireless network with an AirPrint-enabled printer.

The update also brings full AirPlay support to Apple’s family of iOS devices. Previously only available through iTunes, iOS 4.2 will allow users with compatible devices to wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos to the new Apple TV. AirPort Express owners will also be able to utilize the new feature to stream music from their iOS devices to a set of remote speakers. While we have yet to test the full gamut of AirPlay’s capabilities, the prospect of instantly–not to mention wirelessly–sharing photo and video content with an Apple TV from a mobile device is amazing.

The third all-new feature of iOS 4.2 is a free version of Find My iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Previously a MobileMe exclusive, Apple has included the device tracking application for free within the update. Though this inclusion will certainly be appreciated by users should their devices go missing, there is a catch. At this time it appears the Find My “Device” functionality is limited to the iPhone 4, iPad, and 4th gen. iPod touch. iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 2nd/3rd gen. iPod touch owners will not be able to use this feature–or at least not in the same way as those with current generation hardware. Sure to elicit some controversy from users, the omission of this feature from older hardware seems like a clear message from Apple to upgrade.

Whether or not your device supports all of the new features of iOS 4.2, it is a promising upgrade and an especially momentous occasion for iPad users. The update will be available through iTunes later this afternoon. For more information on iOS 4.2 click here

UPDATE – 1:00 PM EST: iOS 4.2 is now available. Users can obtain the software update by connecting a compatible device to iTunes and following the prompts to update. If you do not receive an automatic prompt, simply select “Update” from the device’s main screen within iTunes.

Compatible Devices

  • iPhone 3G
  • iPhone 3GS
  • iPhone 4

  • iPod touch 2nd gen.
  • iPod touch 3rd gen.
  • iPod touch 4th gen.

  • iPad

Similar Posts

  • Apple Updates Roundup

    As promised, Apple today launched iOS 5 and iCloud. Accompanying these, Apple today also released a slew of updates and apps for iOS…

  • iOS 4.3 Released Today

    Apple released the latest version of their mobile operating system iOS 4.3 today.  This is a free download and contains some exciting new…

  • Apple Releases iOS 4.1

    As announced last week, Apple released the first major revision to their iOS 4 mobile operating system this afternoon. The much anticipated iOS…

  • iPhoto '11 New Features Overview

    iPhoto ’11 was released today at Apple’s Back to Mac press conference as part of the new iLife ’11. Some of the standout new features include:

    New Full-Screen Modes iOS-like full-screen mode for editing and viewing photos Use every inch of your display to browse and edit your photos. This is much more advanced than the full-screen editing available in previous versions of iPhoto. More screen real estate means a bigger workspace for perfecting each shot or creating nifty iPhoto projects.

    Facebook Enhancements – Share your photos and view comments without ever leaving iPhoto. iPhoto and Facebook are now even better friends. iPhoto even shows you all of your Facebook photo albums, including the ones you published using another application. You’ll always know which photos you shared (or didn’t share) on Facebook, because iPhoto keeps track of that for you.

    Emailing Photos – iPhoto now includes eight Apple-designed themes that you customize with your own images and words. Rearrange photos with a simple drag and drop, adjust the image mask, or change the size and style of your text. Plus, iPhoto optimizes your message so it’s never too big to send. iPhoto also works with popular email services like MobileMe, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, and AOL. And since iPhoto keeps track of all your email messages with photos, you’re free to open a sent message, make changes, and share it with someone new, anytime you want.

    New Slideshows – New animated themes — like Holiday Mobile, Places, and Reflections — give your photos movement and help you avoid typical, photo-by-photo, fade-in, fade-out slideshows. Each shot is centered and framed perfectly, thanks to face detection. And the animated themes include their own soundtracks, so your photos and music play together flawlessly.

    Big Leap in Books iPhoto ’11 makes it even easier to create professional-quality books using your own photos. Building your book starts with a new dynamic Theme browser. Pick a theme, and an even smarter Autoflow instantly goes to work, placing your images for you. Higher-rated images are featured more prominently. Photos taken on the same day appear together. And all the while, face detection ensures that photos of people are cropped and framed properly. Change the background color, font, layout, and more. Add eye-popping full-bleed, two-page spreads.

    Letterpress Cards – For the first time, traditional printing techniques join modern digital photography on a large scale. With iPhoto ’11, you can create custom letterpress cards personalized with your photos and text. Each iPhoto letterpress card is made from premium paper and produced using a centuries-old printing method. Then it’s digitally processed with your photos and text. iPhoto letterpress cards are available in 15 beautifully crafted themes complete with matching envelope. There’s just something about the elegant look and feel of a letterpress card.

    As John Gruber from Daring Fireball tweeted: “Can you imagine any other computer company offering letterpress as a mass-market printing technology?”

    iLife is a $49 upgrade for existing Mac users, and comes free with every new Mac. It’ll be listed on our site for sale and shipment shortly.

  • Happy Birthday, iPod!

    Today, Apple’s iPod turns 7. On October 23, 2001, Steve Jobs introduced the 5GB iPod to the world, declaring it “will put 1,000…