Apple announces iOS 4.2 launch, free ‘Find my iPhone’ for Current devices

Apple’s press release:

Apple today announced that iOS 4.2, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, is available today for download for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. iOS 4.2 brings over 100 new features from iOS 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2 to iPad including Multitasking, Folders, Unified Inbox, Game Center, AirPlay and AirPrint.

“iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s 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.”

iOS 4.2 is expected to be released at 10AM PST.

In addition to updating iOS, Apple is also making MobileMe’s “Find my iPhone” feature free for all iPad, iPhone 4 and 4th-gen iPod touch customers. Find my iPhone allows customers to locate their device from any web browser or iOS device using 3G or (the less-specific) Wi-Fi. In addition to locating the device on a map, the feature allows users to send a message to their device, lock it with a passcode or even wipe it remotely. In iOS 4.2, this can be setup by going into the “Mail, Contacts, Calendars” settings and adding a MobileMe account. The system will now allow for a regular AppleID to be used for Find my iPhone.

Stephen Hackett, formerly a Lead Mac Genius at Apple, now spends his days running the IT department of a large non-profit in Memphis, TN. He writes about Apple, design and journalism at forkbombr.net. Like all twenty-somethings, you can find him… Full Bio