iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 available with new features

Apple has just released the iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 build 7A312g to developers, only a week after beta 4 was rolled out. There are a number of updates to this version, including an updated version of the iPhone SDK and an iTunes update to version 2.8 (b10).

There are a couple of new features in the new beta.

Users can now email podcast links directly from the iPod app, so if you are listening to a podcast you want to share with a friend, you can easily do so now.

The new beta 5 now also comes with app store parental controls. Parents can restrict apps based on their rating.

 
It is unclear as to how the rating system will be designed, more likely, developers will choose a rating which would be approved by Apple along with the app, or perhaps via the community.

Another convenient feature Apple has added is a “Delete” button to contact profiles. You can now very simply delete a contact with one touch.

Remember, the new OS is only available to registered developers where the OS must be activated using iTunes and authenticated with the online Apple database.

You can download the OS from http://developer.apple.com/iphone/

The DevTeam has proved it can jailbrake the new iPhone 3.0 OS, but will only release the new Pwnage/quickpwn tools when Apple releases the firm version of OS 3.0.

In related iPhone news, Apple is expected to announce a new version of the iPhone at the World Developers Conference this June. There is also speculation Apple could lower monthly prices, maybe by $10 a month, to help maximize sales. In Q1 2009, rival BlackBerry topped the U.S. list as the best selling smartphone by outselling the iPhone which had the top spot.