First of all, why I put a question mark at the last of the title because this is still in beta version but all the iPhone software developer can start to download the beta version of SDK for iPhone 3.0 through iPhone Developer Program

Before I go into the new features and updates for the new iPhone OS, iPhone 3.0, I would like to share my opinion after watching the presentation.

When the iPhone first generation came out, it really created a very huge shock to the mobile phone market, majority not because of its OS but its multi touch screen feature and accelerometer. These were the brand new feature on mobile phone when it was 2 years ago. When the 2nd generation of iPhone, iPhone 3G came out, it gives slightly improve from the 1st generation, majority is the 3G feature and the OS update. But on March 17, Apple was introducing a new generation of iPhone OS and it is really impressive. It starts to change my mind that whether I should get a iPhone at the future.

First, let's take a look of new feature for iPhone 3.0 SDK and what will happen for the future developement of the application. I am standing at the point of view as a handphone user but not a iPhone supporter.

1. In App Purchase
This idea is seriously attractive to the developement company. Basically, the idea is when you need to get new additional levels, items and features on the games, you can just purchase the items you want directly through the application and it makes the whole process faster and easier rather than go through iTunes Store and do it step by step. This new feature will just simply handle it all. So maybe this will attract more company to join in and develope more and more application for iPhone but it will be quite costy to play games.

2. Peer to Peer Connectivity
By adding multi player feature into your game, you can now play the games with your friends through peer to peer network connection and Bluetooth. This feature will not be just limit to games but it also enable for other application. Will it be better than Nokia N-Gage platform? We will see...

3. Apple Push Notification Service
This is seriously brilliant after a 6 month developement from Apple by redesign the whole server architecture. So now, they introduce this service. Let's take an example to make it simple. Usually, if you are running a instant messenger on your mobile phone, you can receive the messages when you are turn on the program but if you quit the program, the connection between server with your phone will break. It is possible to run the program at the background but it will cause the battery life drops significantly. To solve this battery life issue, apple come out this idea and it can ensure that you still can receive the service without running the application. The data will go through the apple server from the service provider and send it to your phone by sms. Brilliant isn't it? Seriously I am not a iPhone supporter but this new feature is really impressed me.

4. Maps
Will we feel sometime that the google map feature is just not enough and has the room of improvement? Here is the great new for the developers and users. The developers can embed maps into your applications by using the new Map Kit framework. It works with the Google Mobile Maps Service and features panning and zooming, custom annotations, current location and geocoding.

5. Accessories
For now, usually iPhone and iPod Touch users will just dock their devices with speakers but with the new feature available by new SDK, the speaker company can just add in more features like putting new applications that can enhance the experience with playback the songs through the speakers, like putting equalizer, visualizer and so on. During the presentation, the LifeScan by Johnson & Johnson company introduced a new equipment that can help diabetic to control and maintain their health. The equipment can connect to iPhone by using the connector and it will transfer the reading from the equipment to iPhone and analyze it. This is just more than a mobile phone can do and it will bring a lot of benefits to the patients. Brilliant idea once again.

6. iPod Library Access
Feel boring for the soundtracks during the moment of playing games? With updated Media Player framework, you can access your itunes library to play, repeat and shuffle songs or whole playlists, or create sequences of songs on your games and applications.


Beside these features, 1000 new APIs are prepared for developers. Developers will have the tools to enable in-app purchases — like subscriptions, additional game levels, and new content. They can also create apps that connect peer to peer via Bluetooth, communicate with hardware accessories, and use the Apple Push Notification service to provide alerts. Nothing is impossible with this new SDK.

After a briefly look for this SDK, now is the moment to get into the new iPhone OS, iPhone 3.0. 100 more new features are been added into it to make it better. The most exciting feature is cut, copy and paste feature.

I found this screenshot from a CrunchGear that show the procedure for copy and paste.

After you double tap on the text area, you can select a region that you wish to cut or copy. You can just resize the region pretty easily by holding the blue bar and draging at the same time.


The undo feature is even more awesome. I don't have any idea that which way can be better as what apple come out with, simply just shake the phone then the option will appear.

Another great feature is spotlight. It is a search engine that allow you to search all the files and applications in your phone and email inbox. Just simply press the home button when you are at the home screen or just switch your home screen to the most left page then it will show the search bar there. Spotlight is also one of the famous and useful feature that built in the Mac OS. I am really glad to see that because I am also a mac user.

I am afraid that I can't stop writing this post if I want to clearly explain all the features. Something i am wondering about is how the Bluetooth function will be improved? What I know so far is it can support to stereo Bluetooth headset and link to other devices but does it possible to transfer data through the built in Bluetooth? How about video recording feature?

Anyway, the iPhone 3.0 is still in beta version now. It still can be improved by apple before it release on this coming summer. So I hope that other mobile phone platform like Symbian, Window Mobile and others can come out something great as well to fight with Apple. Let's see how the thing will change in this summer....