Apple announces new versions of iOS

At a press conference in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced versions 4.1 and 4.2 of iOS. Version 4.1 will be released next week for the iPhone and should solve problems with the 3G version, but also introduce new features.

The 4.1 update will be available for download on iTunes from next week for the iPhone. In addition to a few bug fixes, including for the 3G version of the iPhone, the proximity sensor and support for Bluetooth, Apple also introduces a few new features with the iOS update. This makes it possible to upload HD video via WiFi and TV shows can be rented. Jobs gave no details on this.

It is also possible to take so-called ‘high dynamic range’ photos with the iPhone camera, a technique that should provide better quality photos. In fact, a photo consists of three separate photos with different exposures, which are then combined.

Another new feature is the ‘Game Center’, which supports multiplayer games. Owners of an iPhone with iOS 4.1 can play against acquaintances, but can also choose to be automatically linked to an opponent. One of the games that will be announced for the Game Center is the RPG Project Sword, which is developed by Epic.

Version 4.2 of iOS will be released in November, and will not only be available for the iPhone, but also for recent versions of the iPad and iPod Touch. That version introduces, among other things, AirTunes, with which audio, video and images can be streamed. How exactly this works technically was not shown. It is also possible to print wirelessly from an iPad.