Apple previews iPhone firmware 3.0

Apple held a press event today to preview the next firmware version for the iPhone, announcing some long-awaited features and expanded access to iPhone hardware and functions for developers. One of the most-requested features, the ability to copy and paste text between applications, will be present in 3.0. Another highly-desired feature, multimedia messaging, will also make it, as well as the stereo Bluetooth profile, A2DP, that will enable the use of stereo Bluetooth headphones.

The complete list of new features that will be included is fairly substantial, and contains the push notification service Apple first announced several months ago, a global search function, landscape views and keyboards in more applications, a new voice memo application, and many more.

Developers now have additional access to iPhone hardware and functions through new APIs that will allow them to create applications that can make use of the proximity sensor, connect to nearby iPhones via Bluetooth, control external accessories, and more.

The software development kit for developers is available in beta version today. The 3.0 firmware itself will be released this summer and will be free for iPhone users and $9.95 for iPod Touch users. Apple will post a video of the event later today on their site here.