Apple has previewed its iPhone OS 3.0 software update and announced an immediate beta release to registered developers. The software updates a variety of modifications to the iPhone's operating system, including 1000 new APIs, peer-to-peer connections, a new Maps API and push notifications.

In addition, iPhone and iPod Touch users will be able to access over 100 new features from summer 2009, including landscape view for Mail, stereo Bluetooth, shake to shuffle, parental control for TV shows and movies and apps for the app store.

However, the two most widely anticipated features to be introduced later this year through the software update are multimedia messaging and the ability to cut, paste and copy text - features that, to date, iPhone and iPod Touch users have been without.

The lack of these tools has been a sticking point with consumers, as many iPhone competitors - including BlackBerry handsets and Windows Mobile devices - come complete with such functionality. Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said: "The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike. It will keep us years ahead of the competition."

IPhone users will be able to download the operating system update for free from this summer, while iPod Touch users will be charged $9.95 (around £7). The release signals positive things for the iPhone's 2009 performance - not just for consumers, who will benefit from its new features but for developers too, who stand to expand the revenue made from applications.

Apple's App Store is currently home to more than 25,000 applications in over 77 countries.