Apple has finally released iOS 4.2, the latest updated version of its operating system used for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. The release of the 4.2 version has been highly anticipated, as owners of Apple products waited to see what new improvements and features it would bring. While iOS 4.2 has something for each of Apple's touch-screen products, its improvements for the iPad are the most dramatic.

The iOS 4.2 software update is free. To download it, you must be running iTunes 10.1. The update will work with all versions of the iPad. Compatible iPhone versions include the 3G, 3GS, and 4. The update is also compatible with the 2G, 3G, and 4G versions of the iPod Touch. In other words, owners of the first generation of the iPod Touch are out of luck. Installing the update is as easy as visiting iTunes, connecting the device to a Mac or PC, and following the on-screen instructions.

As mentioned, iPad owners are likely the ones who will be most impressed with the changes that iOS 4.2 brings to the popular tablet device. Before the release of 4.2, iPad owners were relegated to using the older iOS 3.2.2 version, which held back the iPad's features when compared with other Apple products such as the iPhone.

The highlights of the improvements for the iPad include the ability to multitask and switch quickly between different apps and easy organization of apps using folders. With the ability to group similar apps into folders, iPad enthusiasts now can clean up their tablets and gain quicker access to their favorite apps.  Owners of the iPad can also look forward to threaded email messages, wireless app distribution, and the ability to tag Faces and Places in the Photos application. 

Business users will now be able to take advantage of a unified email inbox that eliminates the need to jump between different inboxes. Security improvements come in the form of new integrated management capabilities that IT workers can use to secure iPads for enterprise use, as well as support for SSL VPN connections. While the iPad has already become increasingly popular for enterprise use, these new tweaks will do a lot to make it an even more attractive alternative for business users.

In addition to the main highlights, the iPad has also received some improvements to call its own thanks to a larger form factor than the iPhone or iPod Touch. The iPad's display is much larger than its Apple counterparts, and the extra real estate allows for more room and extra features. In mail messages, users can now choose between different size settings for photos before sending. Also, the multitasking bar includes a brightness slider to easily adjust screen brightness when necessary. 

One of the iPad's physical controls gets added functionality, too. Prior to the release of iOS 4.2, the switch on the side of the iPad was used for locking screen rotation. It can now be used as a mute switch if desired.

For more on this topic, visit the Computerworld story.  

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