New iPhone software has copy-paste, no Flash.

Byline: AFP(AFP)

CUPERTINO: Apple on Tuesday unveiled next-generation iPhone software with copy-paste and multimedia messaging features but no sign of much-coveted Flash for digital video.

Apple gave analysts and reporters a demonstration of the coming iPhone 3.0 operating system during an invitation-only event at the firm s headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The software is available for outside developers interested in crafting mini-programs for popular iPhones and iPod Touch MP3 players but the operating system will not be publically released until mid-year.

"It s a significant update," said Gartner analyst Van Baker. "When it ships, cut, copy and paste as well as multimedia-media messages will resonate most with consumers."

IPhone 3.0 software will be a free upgrade for owners of the multi-function, Internet-linked mobile telephones. The new software will cost iPod Touch users about 10 dollars each.

The improvements in iPhone 3.0 addressed some of the complaints that iPhones lacked functions basic in competitors such as the Blackberry Storm, the Google Android G1, and the as-yet-unreleased Palm Pre.

Upgrades did not include being able to record video with iPhones or play video made using Adobe s ubiquitous Flash software; an omission deeply irking many iPhone owners.

During a question-and-answer session, Apple executives responded with "No comment" to clamors for video recording and compatibility with Flash.

"They did not address the camera, which is a fairly low quality for a smartphone these days, and they also did not mention video support, which would be nice to see," said Creative Strategies analyst Tim Bajarin.

"But, you can only do so much with the existing hardware. This is still a significant update," he said.

Apple senior vice president of iPhone software Scot Forstall demonstrated how text and photographs can be copied from webpages on iPhone browsers and then pasted into an email or any other application.

Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC 2009

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