Apple iOS 4.2 Beta Now Available to Developers, Brings Wireless Printing

It was just a few weeks ago that Apple made iOS 4.1 available to iPhone and iPod touch users. The mobile operating system also later showed up on the fourth generation iPod touch.

Today, however, Apple is making available the first beta release of iOS 4.2. The big news for iOS 4.2 is that this will be the first release that will bring the iPad in line with the iPhone and iPod touch when it comes to software releases. As a result, the iPad will finally gain multitasking, folders, and a unified inbox for the Mail app among other things that iPhone and iPod touch users have been enjoying for months.

In addition, iOS 4.2 brings the following features:

• The ability to search actual websites with Safari
• AirPlay multimedia wireless streaming
• AirPrint wireless printing for all iOS 4.2 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 Apple’s Philip Schiller. “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.”

IOS 4.2 should bow in completed form this November.