Those of us that own an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, or recent iPod Touch have been enjoying multitasking on our devices ever since the release of iOS 4.0, but iPad owners haven't been so lucky. That's where iOS 4.2 comes in, and the good news is that Apple has released the first beta of 4.2 to developers today. Along with all of the enhancements for iPad that were originally found in 4.0 (multitasking, folders, unified inbox, etc.), iOS 4.2 also brings: ability to search within webpages in Safari; AirPlay, which allows the iPad to stream video to an AppleTV; and AirPrint, Apple's new wireless printing service which will work on all iOS 4.2-enabled devices. If you're a registered iOS developer, go download the iOS 4.2 beta now! Also, you get the skinny on AirPrint by reading the press release down below.
Earlier this month Steve Jobs announced that iOS 4.2 would be released some time in November, so it's obvious that a beta would be released to devs to test beforehand. Still, I'm kind of surprised to see the beta already available. Hopefully this means that we'll be seeing iOS 4.2 publicly available near the beginning of November rather than the tail end of the month. I'm not sure how long iPad owners will be able to live without the sweet, sweet multitasking that iPhone and iPod Touch owners have had for so long!
Apple’s AirPrint Wireless Printing for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch Coming to Users in November
Available First on HP ePrint Printers
CUPERTINO, California—September 15, 2010—Apple® today announced that it is releasing a beta version of its AirPrint wireless printing for iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch® to members of Apple’s iOS developer program today, and that AirPrint will be included in the free iOS 4.2 software update in November. AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software. HP’s existing and upcoming ePrint enabled printers will be the first to support printing direct from iOS devices.
“AirPrint is Apple’s powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS—no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly to an HP ePrint printer or to a printer shared on a Mac or PC.”
“We’re pleased to work with Apple to bring Apple’s AirPrint to our fall lineup of ePrint printers in time for the holiday shopping season,” said Vyomesh Joshi, HP executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group. “Making it easy for our customers to print anytime, anywhere, is a key priority for HP. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch customers are going to love how easy it is to print using our new range of ePrint printers, creating high-quality printed pages in an instant.”
AirPrint is designed to support a wide range of printers from entry level inkjet printers to office laser printers. Additionally, iOS 4.2 devices can print to printers shared through a Mac® or a PC. iOS 4.2 compatible HP printers this fall include the HP Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro series ePrint enabled printers.
*AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second generation and later).
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
Via MobileCrunch, Apple
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