Small spot update to its mobile operating system often give Apple the chance to smoothen the edge of its major releases , while adding a few smaller features here and there . iOS 4.1 — announce last workweek to kick offApple ’s refresh of its iPod line — is dissimilar . This time around , Apple is putting a much expectant emphasis on new feature of speech , including livelihood for gamy dynamic cooking stove ( HDR ) photos , the new Game Center societal meshing , iTunes TV rental , and more . And if that ’s not enough , the company also pulled back the curtain on the outgoing Io 4.2 , which direct to ultimately amalgamate the software on the iPhone , iPod touch , and iPad , and has no shortfall of new features either .
What can you expect when these iOS update arrive ? Here ’s a rundown of what Apple ’s promise to deliver with its outgoing mobile operating system updates .
Which Io devices will support iOS 4.1 ?
Apple says that iOS 4.1 will work on the iPhone 4 , iPhone 3GS , and iPhone 3 GiB ; that suggests that it will run on the stand for iPod trace revision , which would be second - generation , and third - coevals equipment as well . Thefourth - coevals iPod mite — unveil at this hebdomad ’s iPod extravaganza — will ship with iOS 4.1 installed , Apple says . Of naturally , since this is a minor update to iOS 4 , some features — multitasking , for case — are still not usable on the iPhone 3 G and second - coevals iPod speck . And there ’s one gadget that wo n’t get the 4.1 update — the iPad .
Which Io devices will sustain iOS 4.2 ?
In his display Wednesday , Apple CEO Steve Jobs said iOS 4.2 was “ all about the iPad , ” delivering features specifically for that machine . But Jobs also enounce that update would work on the iPhone and iPod cutaneous senses as well — presumptively the same example that will bleed iOS 4.1 .
When will iOS 4.1 be released ? Will it be a free update ?
Apple said at Wednesday event that it would release iOS 4.1 “ next week”—that ’s the week we ’ve just started if you do n’t go on to have a calendar handy . Our colleagues at Macworld UK report that theApple UK Website shortly listed the launching appointment as September 8before speedily change the listing back to “ amount before long . ” That would intend the update arrive Wednesday , which seems as secure a time as any to release 4.1 .
What about iOS 4.2 ; when will it be put out ? Will it be a gratuitous update ?
You ’ll have to await a little second longer for the iPad to finally draw all the benefit of Io 4 : Jobs enounce the update will drop in November , but that it too would be a free download .
Will iOS 4.1 fix that annoying proximity sensor issue ? What about the insanely sluggish performance on the iPhone 3 GB ?
If you believe Steve Jobs — and really , why would n’t you?—then Apple has finally squashed both of these bug .
A lilliputian backdrop : Some iPhone 4 substance abuser have reportedproblems with the phone ’s proximity sensor . The sensor determines when you ’re carry the phone closely to your side — as you would when making a phone call — and it deactivates the iPhone ’s touchscreen so your cheek does n’t unknowingly brush up against any buttons . exploiter with misbehaving proximity sensor say that their iPhone 4 screens remain fighting during calls or that the cover fails to re - set off once the call is over . Apple acknowledged the trouble at aJuly 16 press conferenceand promised a hole in a future update .
As for carrying out issues , some users with older iOS devices — notably the iPhone 3G — have sound off that iOS 4 runs slowly on their handheld . Apps are wearisome to reply and prone to crashes . The onscreen keyboard occasionally suffers from delays between knock a paint and when that key stroke appears on the screen . Older iOS gadget run Io 4 are also prostrate to warming up in a hurry .
Last Wednesday , Jobs say both those issues will be resolved in iOS 4.1 , along with unspecified Bluetooth bug . Of course , the proof will be in the pudding — we’ll have to wait until the update is usable to see how well these fixes actually work .
What is AirPlay and when does it arrive ?
The AirPlay lineament allows you to swarm medicine , video , and photo from an iOS equipment . It ’s a rename — and more powerful — version of AirTunes , which tolerate for music streaming . job demonstrated the ability to seamlessly switch playback from one machine to another , but only showed it for switching from iPad to Apple idiot box using the iOS 4.2 update . That would seem to evoke it ’s arriving with the iOS 4.2 update in November . Apple ’s ownAirPlay Web pagedoesn’t spill any brightness level on the matter .
So what features can I bear in iOS 4.1
orchard apple tree promise several features in 4.1 beyond the bug fix we ’ve already tattle about . The update atomic number 8 will bring the debut of Game Center , which you may recall from Apple ’s spring preview of iOS 4 . Game Center offers genus Apis for developers that will help them well enforce multiplayer ascendance into their plot . But for those of us who just play game and do n’t build them , Game Center put up mountain of interesting feature film . For starters , it will be easy to challenge other players to game , whether those challenge go out to your supporter or strangers with whom Game Center “ motorcar matches ” you . Game Center also features a number of social networking elements like leader boards and features that help you discover new game by check what your friends are playing .
iOS 4.1 is more than just fund and games , however . Apple call iPhone and iPod mite drug user will be able-bodied to rent telly appearance from their machine for 99 penny . iPhone 4 user will be capable to upload HD video to YouTube and MobileMe from their phones . And then there ’s financial support for high dynamic range photography .
What ’s gamey dynamical range photography ?
you may get anin - depth account of HDR and what it means for the iPhoneelsewhere on Macworld.com . But in a nutshell , HDR epitome combine a series of photographs , each pip at a dissimilar photo to take out detail that might otherwise not be seen in a individual vulnerability . Apple ’s version of HDR immix three images look at with the iPhone ’s back camera in quick successiveness . An HDR button to the right hand of the newsflash button in the Camera app of iOS 4.1 will let you opt to salvage both the HDR ikon and the regular photo to your television camera roll or just the HDR photo .
Which iPhone and iPod feeling theoretical account hold the new HDR lineament for exposure ?
Apple suggests that the high dynamical range feature will only be available on the iPhone 4 . That ’s not entirely a surprisal , as the twist has far and away the best camera of any of Apple ’s peregrine devices ( and most of the iPod spot models do n’t have a camera at all ) .
Is the newfangled Ping feature let in in iOS 4.1 ?
in reality , reenforcement for Apple ’s new Ping social web was secretly present in iOS 4.0 for the iPhone and iPod touching as part of the iTunes Store app , but was bend off until Wednesday ’s iPod announcement . Ping wo n’t make it on the iPad until iOS 4.2 , however .
Is wireless printing available in 4.1 or not until 4.2 ?
job demo wireless printing as part and parcel of the iOS 4.2 update .
When will Apple support FaceTime on Macs ?
Your guess is as good as ours . With the iPhone and iPod touch now sporting front - facing photographic camera , it seems likely that a subsequent iPad rewrite — one that adds a camera to that twist — will bring that feature to the tablet equipment as well . But Apple ’s give no indication of when it might support FaceTime on the Mac .
