I know I’m a couple of days late installing the iPhone OS 3.0 Software Update – I blame the length of time it took to backup my iPhone (almost 2 hours) and my general busyness. But alas, it’s done and I’m very happy with the improvements. Especially had fun sending MMS messages to unsuspecting people in my contact list this morning. Being able to create voice memos is also a handy feature!

With all these fixes, I’m starting to question my desire to upgrade to the iPhone 3G S later on this week. Then again, increased battery time, video recording and faster CPU are still compelling reasons.

Here is the list of many of the  new features that are included in the iPhone 3.0 OS update:

• Cut, Copy & Paste with shake to undo
• Landscape keyboard in key applications
• Enhanced Messages application
- Send and receive photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS*
- Forward and delete single or multiple messages
• Added search feature in Mail, Calendar, Notes and iPod
• Spotlight search across iPhone
• Support for CalDAV and subscriptions in Calendar
• Improvements to Safari
- Performance
- HTML 5 support
- HTTP Streaming audio and video
- Auto-fill usernames and passwords
• New Voice Memos application
• Sync Notes with a Mac or PC via iTunes
• Internet Tethering over USB and Bluetooth*
• Browse and download movies, TV shows, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store**
• Stereo Bluetooth***
• Wi-Fi auto login
• Enhanced Stocks application
• More Parental Control options for Apps, Music, Movies and TV Shows
• iTunes account creation and login**
• YouTube account login and access to subscriptions, ratings and favorites**
• Shake to shuffle
• New languages, dictionaries, and keyboards
• Find my iPhone and Remote Wipe via MobileMe (subscription required)**
• Support for more Exchange policies
• Create and send Exchange meeting invitations
• Search mail on server (Exchange Server 2007 and supported IMAP servers)
• Search LDAP company directory
• VPN on demand and VPN proxy support
• Encrypted configuration profiles
• Encrypted iTunes backups
• 1,000 new developer APIs, including:
- In App Purchases
- Apple Push Notification Service
- Accessories support
- Peer to Peer Connectivity
- Embedded Maps
- iPod Library Access
• Bug fixes

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3G S

* Compatible only with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S and requires support from your wireless provider.
** Not available in all regions or in all languages.
*** Compatible only with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S.

For feature descriptions and complete instructions, see the user guide for your iPhone at:
<http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/iphone>

For more information about iPhone, go to:
<http://www.apple.com/iphone>

To troubleshoot your iPhone, or to view additional support information go to:
<http://www.apple.com/support/iphone>

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:
<http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222>

Jesus Diaz, from Gizmodo just posted an article where he is very sure that the above photos are taken from the upcoming iPhone 3G 2009.

He’s jumped the gun.

If you click on the UMPC referral link on the bottom of the Gizmodo page, Google translates the text from the Chinese post and reveals that the screens are in fact from an iPhone with the iPhone 3.0 on display. No where does he mention that it is from the new iPhone 3G 2009.

Visit this CNet iPhone 3.0 OS photo link, you’ll see that all these screens were posted months back. The Hong Kong poster could have just saved these onto his iPhones as images.

It is highly unlikely that some unknown Chinese blogger would be able to get their hands on an iPhone 3G 2009 before anyone else (no offence to him).

I’m a big fan of Gizmodo, so this is not an attempt to dishonor their good name at all – this is purely my personal opinion.

Via Gizmodo

Looks like Apple has listened to some of the gripes that many of us iPhone owners had with the previous version of the iPhone OS. Version 3.o promises to bring some very missed features including:

• Push notifications will be standard in iPhone 3.0. Apple claims that there was a scaling issue when they first announced this feature last year, with thousands of developers clamoring to use it, so it had to be delayed. Developers will be able to build message, sound, and badge alerts into their applications.
• iPhone will support cut, copy and paste — copy text and pictures, then paste them in any application on the device. If you change your mind about the newly pasted data, just shake to display a menu asking if you wish to undo the paste.
• In-App purchasing — developers will have the ability to charge a fee from within the application for more levels in a game, magazine subscriptions, eBooks, etc. This solves the problem of the 20 ebook readers that only allow you to read one book each.
• MMS — you’ll be able to use MMS on your iPhone 3G (yes, 1st gen iPhones will not get the fortune of using MMS due to the use of a different cell radio). The new Messages application will be taking the place of the SMS app and will allow you to send voice memos and pictures to your friends.
• Peer-to-Peer connectivity — allows iPhone apps the ability to find other iPhone users over WiFi or Bluetooth. This can be using for anything from gaming to sharing data.
• Third-party Accessories — app developers can now access third-party accessories attached to the iPhone. This could allow for developers to interface with their own accessories to create a truly unique experience on the device. One of the demonstrated uses was a prototype blood glucose meter for the iPhone, from a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, which is already getting attention from our readers; it’s not for sale yet!
• Apple will now be allowing applications the ability to get GPS coordinates from Core Location and turn that into software that provides Turn-by-Turn directions for iPhone users. However, due to the terms of use with Google maps, developers will be required to license their own maps for this use (meaning that Turn-by-Turn GPS applications will almost certainly be paid apps). This isn’t a problem for vendors like TomTom or Telenav, who already have licenses for their map data.
• A landscape keyboard option is now available in all iPhone applications, including the infamous Mail.app.
• Voice memos will allow iPhone users the ability to capture audio and then email it, or send it through the Messages application as a multimedia message.
• System-wide Spotlight searching is built right into the home screen. To the left of the first home screen, there is a magnifying glass, so by flicking to the left of the first home screen will show this search app. You can search for anything, including mail, music, and notes. There is no word yet on how this will interface with third-party applications.
• Stereo Bluetooth audio devices are now supported through the use of A2DP technology.

Follow the BGR link below to zoom over to the photos.

Are you happy with Apple now? I’m thankful.

Via Boy Genius Report & TUAW