Apple issues iOS 4 update to iPhone 3GS and iPod touch

Apple will release its iOS 4 software update to iPhone 3GS and third-generation iPod touch devices Monday, three days in advance of the retail debut of the iPhone 4. According to PCWorld, Apple has not specified what time it will issue the free iOS 4 upgrade, but if last year's iPhone OS 3.0 release is any guide, the update should become available via iTunes around 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Users must first upgrade to iTunes 9.2 before downloading iOS 4--earlier versions of the iPhone and iPod touch are not compatible with iOS 4, while the iPad (which currently runs iOS 3.2) will not support the new OS until September.    

Apple unveiled iOS 4 earlier this month in tandem with iPhone 4 during the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference event. Called "the most advanced mobile operating system in the world" by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the new OS includes 100 new features and 1,500 new APIs, highlighted by the introduction of multitasking, folders, a unified inbox and expanded search options. iPhone 4 itself boasts Apple's new FaceTime video calling solution, the new Retina display, a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, support for iBooks, Apple's A4 processor and a three-axis gyro that should herald significant strides in mobile gaming.

For more on the iOS 4 release:
- read this PCWorld article

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