IPhone OS 3


iPhone OS 3 is the third major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 2. It was announced on March 17, 2009, and was released on June 17, 2009. It was succeeded by iOS 4 on June 21, 2010; the new version dropped the "iPhone OS" naming convention. iPhone OS 3 was the last version to use the "iPhone OS" naming convention.
iPhone OS 3 added a system-wide "cut, copy, or paste" dialog bubble, allowing users to more easily move content. It also introduced Spotlight, a search indexing feature designed to help users locate specific information on their device, such as contacts, email messages or apps. The home screen was expanded to let users add up to 11 pages, showcasing a total of 180 apps. The Messages app received support for MMS, while the Camera app received support for video recording on the iPhone 3GS, and a new "Voice Memos" app let users record their voice.

Apps

Introduction and initial release

iPhone OS 3 was announced on March 17, 2009, with a beta version available for developers the same day.
iPhone OS 3.0 was officially released on June 17, 2009.

Updates

3.0.1

iPhone OS 3.0.1 was released on July 31, 2009, as the first update to iPhone OS 3, with bug fixes, including a security fix for SMS messages.

3.1 / 3.1.1

iPhone OS 3.1 was released on September 9, 2009, along with iPhone OS 3.1.1 for the iPod Touch, with several new features and security fixes.

3.1.2

iPhone OS 3.1.2 was released on October 8, 2009, with bug fixes.

3.1.3

iPhone OS 3.1.3 was released on February 2, 2010, with bug fixes, including security fixes. It was the last version of iPhone OS 3 to support the first-generation iPhone and the first-generation iPod Touch.

3.2

iPhone OS 3.2 was released on April 3, 2010, as the initial software release for the first-generation iPad; it was released only for the iPad. It included user interface changes to make better use of the tablet form factor.

3.2.1

iPhone OS 3.2.1 was released on July 15, 2010, for the iPad. It included several bug fixes, including a Wi-Fi bug.

3.2.2

iPhone OS 3.2.2 was released on August 11, 2010, for the iPad. It included security fixes.

System features

Cut, copy, or paste

iPhone OS 3 introduced a "cut, copy, or paste" bubble dialog when users double-tap text. The "paste" button would incorporate anything stored in the device's clipboard into the marked area.

Spotlight

is a system-wide indexing and search feature, aiming to help users search their device for specific contacts, email messages, calendar appointments, multimedia files, apps and more. It is accessed by swiping to the right from the home screen.

Home screen

iPhone OS 3 expands the maximum number of pages on the home screen to 11, for a total number of 180 apps.

App features

Messages

The Messages app received native support for the Multimedia Messaging Service, allowing users to send and receive messages that also contain pictures, contacts, locations, voice recordings, and video messages.

Camera and Photos

The Camera app introduced video recording for iPhone 3GS.
The Photos app featured a new copy button and the ability to delete multiple photos at once.

Voice Memos

iPhone OS 3 added a "Voice Memos" app, allowing users to record their voice.

Cost

Upgrading to iPhone OS 3 was free for iPhone. Upgrading to iPhone OS 3 cost iPod Touch users $5 to $10, depending on device purchase date.
iPhone OS 3 was the last major version of iOS for which there was a charge for iPod Touch users to upgrade. Starting with iOS 4, iOS upgrades became free for all users, including users of iPod Touch.

Supported devices

iPhone