Apple has just previewed its iPhone OS 3.0 software, and released a statement that a beta software release to registered developers is available. We are all looking forward to what the iPhone OS 3.0 beta release has to offer since the iPhone will be facing some serious contenders sometime this year as Palm launches their Pre, while there is whiff of news bytes pointing towards new Android-powered devices from HTC as well as Samsung among other cell phone manufacturers. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta release will also be accompanied by an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with more than 1,000 new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) such as In-App Purchases; Peer-to-Peer connections; an app interface for accessories; access to the iPod music library; a new Maps API and Push Notifications. Good news to Apple fans who have long clamored for the cut-and-paste function on their iPod touch and iPhone devices – Apple has confirmed that among the 100 new features available this summer, it will include that much desired capability.

Other features among the 100 new ones include MMS; landscape view for Mail, Text and Notes; stereo Bluetooth; syncing Notes to the Mac and PC; shake to shuffle; parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store; and automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots. Nice to see the iPhone OS 3.0 beta release include a new Voice Memo app as well as expanded search capability for all important iPhone apps. Spotlight search is also thrown into the fray to function with both the iPhone or iPod touch.

Even the Stock app will receive an update – it will now be able to display recent company news and current trading information like opening or average price, trading volume or Market Cap, alongside the ability to offer a landscape view to see a full screen of any stock chart. Shared calendars can also be viewed on their iPhone with CalDAV support, where they can subsequently synchronize with with iCal, Yahoo, Google and Oracle. You can pick up the iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and SDK if you’re one of those who have already registered as developers from today onwards. As for iPhone customers, they are able to download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software for free this summer while iPod touch customers will be charged $9.95.

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