Apple releases iPad-compatible iOS 4.2

Less than two months after the launch of iOS 4.1, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) issued its iOS 4.2 beta to registered iPhone, iPod touch and iPad developers, promising a series of new features highlighted by AirPrint, the computing giant's new wireless printing solution enabling users to print content from Safari, Photos, Mail and other programs over-the-air to any compatible printer unit. iOS 4.2 (slated for release to consumers in November) also boasts AirPlay, which gives users the flexibility to stream multimedia content to from their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to Apple TV with a single click. Other new features: iPad multitasking, iPad folders, iPad unified inbox and threaded mail, 'Find in Page' search in Safari and 30 new international keyboards. For more information, visit the iOS Dev Center.

iOS 4.2 also enables iPad developers to leverage Apple's fledgling iAd mobile advertising network as well as its new Game Center multiplayer gaming platform. An iOS Dev Center post urges developers to make certain their applications are properly enabled for Game Center prior to App Store review, a process requiring iOS developers to go to the Manage Game Center page from within the Manage Your Applications module in iTunes Connect and click on the ‘Enable' button. "This will allow you to test your app in the sandbox and set up metadata for leaderboards and achievements," Apple explains. From there, developers must go to the Version Details page and click on the ‘Enable for this Version' button. "This will allow this specific version of your app to access Game Center once its live on the App Store, and lets you enable or disable leaderboard, achievement and multiplayer settings on a per-version basis," the iOS Dev Center adds.

For more on iOS 4.2:
- read this MobileCrunch article

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