News Analysis: Apple has released iOS 4.2, which means iPad owners can now enjoy multitasking, folder support, and many more features on their tablets.
Apple has finally released the long-awaited iOS 4.2 update
for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. But it's the operating system's
functionality on the iPad that means the most to folks, for with it comes all
the features that most consumers have been hoping to have since they originally
got their hands on the device earlier this year. Included in the update are multitasking
and folder support, among several other new features that will likely cause
many iPad owners to quickly update their tablet's OS.
But for those that haven't already done so, it's probably a good time to
find out what's in the new update-and what isn't. As mentioned, multitasking is
there, but Flash is still nowhere to be found. And with the new functionality
iOS 4.2 affords, it seems clearer now than ever that Apple's tablet is prepared
to take on netbooks.
Here are 10 things that every iPad owner should know about the new OS.
1. Here comes multitasking
Multitasking has been one of the most glaring omissions from the iPad since
the device launched. But now it's available, which means users can now open a
program, get out of it to open another, and quickly pick up where they left off
on the original app. It's an extremely important function for any mobile device,
and it's nice to finally see it on the iPad.
2. It's a major step up
The
first
thing users will realize when they start using iOS 4.2 on the iPad is that
it's a major step up over the previous software version they were using on
Apple's tablet. Not only does it come with several outstanding features, but it
also boasts some enhancements to the UI along the way that should make most
folks quite pleased.
3. AirPlay has arrived. . .
Apple's addition of AirPlay to iOS 4.2 could be a key component in how
people use their iPads going forward. With AirPlay, iPad or iPhone users can
"push" multimedia content from their devices to other
AirPlay-compatible products. It will come in especially handy for the Apple TV,
the hardware company's set-top box that allows users to stream content to their
televisions.
4. . . . And so has AirPrint
Perhaps one of the most important
updates in iOS 4.2 is the addition of AirPrint.
With the help of the new feature, users can print from several different
applications on the iPad to AirPrint-compatible printers. And it's something
that many enterprise customers should be happy to see.
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