Apple Reveals Final iOS 4.1 Features For iPhone and iPod touch

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If you weren’t aware, Apple’s special press conference is well underway with CEO Steve Jobs taking center stage. The first announcement Apple is bringing us is the newest version of iOS for the iPhone and iPod touch version 2.1 which launches in about a week. If you’re wondering why they won’t include the iPad in this roll out, it’s because that device will be making the jump right to version 4.2, which we’ll tell you about in just a minute.

Anyways, iOS 4.1 will bring with it some features that any iDevice touting owner will be happy to acquire. First and foremost, Apple says that iOS 4.1 will fix a plethora of annoying bugs that were introduced within iOS 4.0. Proximity bugs and Bluetooth bugs are among the fixes that the new version is said to feature. However, if you’re an iPhone 3G owner you’ll be happy to hear that iOS 4.1 fixes those frustratingly sluggish bugs.

Second up is HDR photos. If you’re not familiar with this term it stands for High Dynamic Range photographs. According to Mr. Jobs the iPhone’s version of this technology uses a series of “complicated algorithms” to make for photographs with more accurately rendered lighting. Certainly not new technology, but a welcome addition nonetheless.

Next we have HD video upload over WiFi. This doesn’t really need an explanation but it will give aspiring YouTubers a much easier way to upload high definition video without having to bust out a USB cord.

Another small addition that Apple revealed for the forthcoming iOS 4.1 is TV show rentals. Previously, you were able to purchase TV show episodes through iTunes but with iOS 4.1 you will actually be able to rent them – a welcome addition as well.

And finally, Game Center – We’ve seen this touched on in the past so today we don’t really learn anything that we don’t already know. Luckily, iOS 4.1 will actually introduce Game Center to the masses and focus on multiplayer games. One such game that was demoed was codenamed Project Sword from Epic Games – the makers of the popular Gears of War franchise.

Game Center will allow players to challenge friends and compare scores. However, in the words of Jobs, if you don’t have any friends rest assured that Game Center will feature a sort of matchmaking allowing you to pair up with strangers and compete against one another.

FaceTime via email, like we told you about before, is expected to be announced with the new iPod touch so stay tuned.