Apple has announced that iOS 4.2, the latest version of the company’s mobile operating system (OS), is available for download for the iPad, iPhone as well as the iPod touch.

 

iOS 4.2 brings over 100 new features from iOS 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2 to the iPad such as multitasking, folders, a unified inbox and Game Center. The update also boasts new functionality such as AirPlay, which enables users to stream music, video and photos wirelessly from their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to Apple TV and AirPrint, which allows a user to send files over Wi-Fi to an AirPrint-enabled printer. There is currently a selection of AirPrint enabled printers from HP including the HP Photosmart, HP LaserJet Pro and HP Officejet that support printing directly from iOS devices.

 

The ‘Find My iPhone’ (for iPhone 4, iPad or 4th generation iPod touch) feature is now free to use without a MobileMe subscription and will assist users to locate their missing devices.

 

Other new features that iOS 4.2 brings to the iPad includes the ability to rent TV episodes directly to iPad using the iTunes App with a 30 day viewing window and a 48 hour session window once playback is started, as well as the ability to find and highlight specific words and phrases on web pages in Cupertino’s Safari browser.

 

“iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder and CEO. “Once again, the iPad with iOS 4.2 will define the target that other tablets will aspire to, but very few, if any, will ever be able to hit.”

 

Users simply have to connect their device to their web-connected computer to be able to download (just over 400 MB) the update for free. iOS 4.2 is compatible with the iPad, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, 2nd and 3rd generation iPod touch (late 2009 models with 32 GB or 64 GB of memory) as well as the new iPod touch.

 

Have you downloaded iOS 4.2? Let us know about your experience by commenting below.