It could be said that the iPad is the winner in the iOS 4.2 sweepstakes as far as improvements are concerned, but that does not mean that Apple neglected the iPhone and iPod Touch. Many iPhone owners, particularly those with the 3G model, had complained of lethargic performance on their mobile devices since the introduction of iOS 4. Apple heard their complaints and promised they would be addressed. Apple's promise was not pure rhetoric, as the iPhone 3G has received positive reviews in terms of performance improvements once iOS 4.2 is installed.

Depending on who you ask, the introduction of AirPlay capability in iOS 4.2 could be the most welcome addition. AirPlay increases the reach of Apple devices, so to speak, in that it allows users to stream content from their iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone to other electronics. For instance, you can share photos or video with others by streaming it wirelessly from your Apple device to a television. You can also stream music and audio from your device to a sound system that's compatible. 

In essence, AirPlay is a way to share content with others nearby. For AirPlay to work, the external devices must be compatible, and video will stream properly only if it works in iTunes. Streaming can be done in the background in case you want to perform a different task on your device while you stream content for others on an external television or sound system. 

Best of all, AirPlay is easy to use and does not require a higher level of technical knowledge to operate.  As long as your Apple device and the external device are connected to the same wireless network, an icon will appear. You can then choose to stream the content as you wish.

AirPrint is another welcome addition packed into iOS 4.2. AirPrint allows users to print using their iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. While AirPrint does come in handy when you need something printed, it is limited at this time by the number of printers it works with. Only one Epson printer and five HP printers will work with AirPrint. Since the feature is new to iOS 4.2, however, there is a good possibility that many more printers will become compatible with AirPrint in the future. 

Besides its compatibility issues with printers, AirPrint will also only work on Apple devices that have multitasking capability. The devices capable of multitasking include the iPad, the third and fourth  generation versions of the iPod Touch, the iPhone 3GS, and the iPhone 4. If you do have all the prerequisites to run AirPrint successfully, it serves as an easy way to print wirelessly.

Not to be forgotten is the inclusion of the Find My iPhone feature, which is now a free download for those running iOS 4.2 on an iPad, a fourth-generation iPod Touch, or an iPhone 4. Find My iPhone helps you track down your device should you lose it. Its free status for certain Apple products is a nice surprise, considering it was previously available for those who subscribed to Apple's MobileMe service at $99 per year. 

The release of iOS 4.2 will undoubtedly please many owners of Apple devices. At the same time, it will leave many yearning for more improvements and future releases of Apple's iOS.

For more on this topic, visit the Computerworld story.

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