Release record

iOS 3.0

Full article

Public release

Recorded milestones: 7
Beta cycle: 92d
Average interval: 15d
Public release: Jun 17, 2009

Release notes

Overview

Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.

Apple released iPhone OS 3.0 on June 17, 2009. Its user-facing scope included cut, copy and paste; MMS where supported; Spotlight and in-app search; landscape keyboards; Voice Memos; Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe through MobileMe; and broader direct media downloads.^[1]^[2]

The developer release added more than one thousand APIs spanning purchases, peer connections, accessories, maps, and push notifications. Apple’s separate security advisory documents repairs across graphics, media, messaging, networking, configuration, Safari, and WebKit. Hardware, carrier, and service qualifications in Apple’s announcement remain part of this historical record.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Source ledger

References

Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.

Apple security updates (15-Jan-2008 to 03-Dec-2009)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · iOS 3.0 Software Update — 17 June 2009
Back to text ↑
Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet
Apple Newsroom · 2009-06-08T00:00:00Z · iPhone OS 3.0 features; Pricing & Availability
Back to text ↑
About the security content of iOS 3.0 Software Update
Apple Support · 2009-06-17T00:00:00Z · iOS 3.0 Software Update security content
Back to text ↑
Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet
Apple Newsroom · 2009-06-08T00:00:00Z · MMS and MobileMe qualifications
Back to text ↑
Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0
Apple Newsroom · 2009-03-17T00:00:00Z · SDK APIs and principal user features
Back to text ↑
Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet
Apple Newsroom · 2009-06-08T00:00:00Z · iPhone OS 3.0 features; June 17 availability
Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0
Apple Newsroom · 2009-03-17T00:00:00Z · SDK APIs and user features

Documented & observed

Changes in this version

Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.

Release changes

Changed in this release

Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.

developerApi · introduced

Applications could communicate with external accessories

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this External Accessory capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; hardware accessory API

developerApi · introduced

Maps became available inside third-party applications

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Maps capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; Maps API

enhancement · introduced

Built-in applications expanded their search controls

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Search capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; search in built-in apps

enhancement · introduced

Known Wi-Fi hotspots could log in more automatically

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Wi-Fi capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; Wi-Fi hotspot login

developerApi · introduced

Bluetooth supported peer application links

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Bluetooth capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; peer-to-peer connectivity API

developerApi · introduced

The push notification service entered the SDK baseline

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Push Notifications capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; Push Notification service

compatibility · introduced

Calendar added CalDAV and subscribed-calendar support

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Calendar capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; calendar interoperability

feature · introduced

Music playback added a shake-to-shuffle control

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Music capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; music playback features

developerApi · introduced

Applications could sell content from within the app

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this In-App Purchase capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; developer APIs and App Store

enhancement · introduced

Notes could synchronize with a computer

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Notes capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; Notes synchronization

feature · introduced

Spotlight provided device-wide search

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Spotlight capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; Spotlight Search

feature · introduced

A built-in voice recording application was added

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Voice Memos capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; Voice Memos application

enhancement · introduced

More built-in applications supported landscape entry

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Built-in applications capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; landscape keyboard support

feature · introduced

Stereo Bluetooth audio joined the feature baseline

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Bluetooth audio capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; stereo Bluetooth support

feature · introduced

Messages added multimedia messaging support

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Messages capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; MMS feature overview

feature · introduced

System editing gained cut, copy, and paste

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Text editing capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; consumer feature overview

enhancement · introduced

Parental restrictions expanded to media and applications

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Restrictions capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; parental controls

developerApi · introduced

Applications gained access to the device music library

documentedconfirmed

Apple's opening preview places this Media Player capability in the first retained iPhone OS 3.0 developer baseline.

Recorded at Beta 1

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 1; iPod library access

compatibility · knownIssue

Carrier-gated MMS availability

partiallyDocumentedcorroborated

Beta 2 reporting still placed MMS behind unavailable carrier support rather than presenting it as a generally usable seed feature.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases second beta of iPhone 3.0 Software to developers · Beta 2; MMS availability limitation
[2] iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2 Released · Beta 2; MMS availability limitation

developerApi · introduced

Push notification testing became available

partiallyDocumentedcorroborated

Beta 2 evidence places this Push Notifications state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases second beta of iPhone 3.0 Software to developers · Beta 2; Push service testing
[2] Apple releases iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2 with push notifications · Beta 2; Push service testing

bugFix · knownIssue

Store account settings panel functionality

undocumentedcorroborated

Beta 2 exposed the Store settings surface while the retained reports still described its visible controls as unfinished.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases second beta of iPhone 3.0 Software to developers · Beta 2; Store settings panel
[2] Apple releases iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2 with push notifications · Beta 2; Store settings panel
[3] iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2 Released · Beta 2; Store settings panel

compatibility · knownIssue

Carrier-gated tethering availability

partiallyDocumentedcorroborated

Beta 2 sources said tethering would not be available during the beta program; later retained evidence shows that state changed without identifying the exact intervening seed.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases second beta of iPhone 3.0 Software to developers · Beta 2; tethering availability limitation
[2] iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2 Released · Beta 2; tethering availability limitation

developerApi · changed

In-App Purchase implementation guidance advanced

partiallyDocumentedreported

Beta 2 evidence places this In-App Purchase state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases second beta of iPhone 3.0 Software to developers · Beta 2; developer guidance and testing

enhancement · changed

General performance and stability improved

undocumentedreported

Beta 2 evidence places this System performance state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases second beta of iPhone 3.0 Software to developers · Beta 2; performance and stability observations

enhancement · changed

The home screen expanded to eleven application pages

undocumentedreported

Beta 2 evidence places this SpringBoard state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 2

[1] Apple releases iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 2 with push notifications · Beta 2; eleven home-screen pages

enhancement · changed

The built-in App Store felt more responsive

undocumentedreported

Beta 3 evidence places this App Store state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 3

[1] iPhone Software 3.0 beta 3 delivers gradual improvements · Beta 3; on-device App Store performance

knownIssue · knownIssue

Applications targeting earlier system versions could not be tested

documentedcorroborated

Beta 3 evidence places this SDK compatibility state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 3

[1] iPhone Software 3.0 beta 3 delivers gradual improvements · Beta 3; seed compatibility warning
[2] iPhone Developers Receive Third Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Beta 3; seed compatibility warning
[3] Apple Seeds iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 3 and New SDK to Developers · Beta 3; seed compatibility warning

enhancement · changed

Spotlight remembered queries and offered exclusions

undocumentedreported

Beta 3 evidence places this Spotlight state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 3

[1] iPhone Software 3.0 beta 3 delivers gradual improvements · Beta 3; Spotlight behavior observation

enhancement · changed

Keyboard input responsiveness improved

undocumentedreported

Beta 3 evidence places this Keyboard state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 3

[1] iPhone Software 3.0 beta 3 delivers gradual improvements · Beta 3; keyboard performance observation

developerApi · changed

Push registration separated alert capabilities

undocumentedreported

Beta 3 evidence places this Push Notifications state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 3

[1] Apple posts third iPhone OS 3.0 beta with minor API changes · Beta 3; remote-notification registration options

compatibility · changed

The SDK required an Intel Mac and Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this SDK installation state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 1; supported development host

developerApi · introduced

View controllers gained search-controller support

partiallyDocumentedreported

Beta 4 evidence places this UIKit state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] Details about iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 and prerelease iTunes 8.2 · Beta 4; UIViewController search integration

developerApi · introduced

Team agents could provision push components

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this Developer portal state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 2; portal provisioning

compatibility · knownIssue

Prerelease device downgrade restriction

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this Device installation state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 2; device lock warning

compatibility · knownIssue

Applications built with the beta SDK could not be submitted

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this App Store submission state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 2; submission restriction

knownIssue · knownIssue

Alternate SIM testing required an appropriate data plan

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this Cellular data state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 2; data-plan warning

enhancement · introduced

The App Store exposed a multiple-account sign-in flow

undocumentedreported

Beta 4 evidence places this App Store state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 4 Supports Multiple iTunes Accounts · Beta 4; multiple iTunes accounts

enhancement · introduced

iTunes added Notes synchronization

undocumentedreported

Beta 4 evidence places this Notes sync state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] Details about iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 and prerelease iTunes 8.2 · Beta 4; Notes synchronization and host requirement

developerApi · changed

Selected UIKit properties became nonatomic

partiallyDocumentedreported

Beta 4 evidence places this UIKit state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] Details about iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 and prerelease iTunes 8.2 · Beta 4; UIKit property attributes

compatibility · changed

Prerelease iTunes 8.2 installation dependency

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this iTunes state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 1; installation order

compatibility · knownIssue

Carrier service had to be activated before installation

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this Carrier activation state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 2; activation prerequisite

knownIssue · knownIssue

The companion iTunes build was limited to development use

documentedconfirmed

Beta 4 evidence places this iTunes state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 software release - Pre-Installation Advisory · Beta 4; page 1; usage warning

bugFix · fixed

Store account settings panel functionality

undocumentedcorroborated

By Beta 4, contemporaneous reports described the previously unfinished panel as able to handle sign-in, payment information, and redemption tasks.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] Details about iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 and prerelease iTunes 8.2 · Beta 4; Store account controls
[2] iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 4 Supports Multiple iTunes Accounts · Beta 4; Store account controls

feature · introduced

iTunes exposed encrypted iPhone backup controls

undocumentedreported

Beta 4 evidence places this iTunes backup state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 4

[1] Details about iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 and prerelease iTunes 8.2 · Beta 4; encrypted backup option

knownIssue · knownIssue

A small AT&T test cohort could lose cellular data

documentedreported

Beta 5 evidence places this Cellular data state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released: MMS Hole Closed · Beta 5; preserved Apple cellular-data warning

compatibility · changed

Incompatible new applications could be rejected

documentedcorroborated

Beta 5 evidence places this App Store review state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple developer compatibility message preserved in 3.0 Features thread · Beta 5; new-submission compatibility policy
[2] App Store Submissions Now Being Reviewed for iPhone OS 3.0 Compatibility · Beta 5; new-submission compatibility policy

enhancement · introduced

A trash control appeared in landscape-oriented applications

undocumentedreported

Beta 5 evidence places this Landscape interfaces state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released: MMS Hole Closed · Beta 5; landscape trash icon

developerApi · changed

StoreKit changed without a surviving detailed delta

partiallyDocumentedreported

Beta 5 evidence places this StoreKit state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple Releases iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 and New iTunes 8.2 Pre-Release to Developers · Beta 5; reported release-note summary

behavior · changed

The carrier-file update control was disabled

undocumentedreported

Beta 5 evidence places this Carrier settings state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released: MMS Hole Closed · Beta 5; carrier update control

removal · removed

The visible MMS activation control was removed

undocumentedcorroborated

Beta 5 evidence places this Messages state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 now available · Beta 5; MMS control observation
[2] Apple iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released: MMS Hole Closed · Beta 5; MMS control observation

bugFix · fixed

The outgoing SMS sound returned

undocumentedreported

Beta 5 evidence places this Messages state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released: MMS Hole Closed · Beta 5; SMS send-sound observation

compatibility · changed

New submissions were reviewed against Beta 5 compatibility

documentedcorroborated

Beta 5 evidence places this App Store review state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple developer compatibility message preserved in 3.0 Features thread · Beta 5; preserved Apple compatibility message
[2] App Store Submissions Now Being Reviewed for iPhone OS 3.0 Compatibility · Beta 5; preserved Apple compatibility message

compatibility · changed

Persistently incompatible applications could be removed

documentedcorroborated

Beta 5 evidence places this App Store catalog state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple developer compatibility message preserved in 3.0 Features thread · Beta 5; existing-application compatibility policy
[2] App Store Submissions Now Being Reviewed for iPhone OS 3.0 Compatibility · Beta 5; existing-application compatibility policy

compatibility · changed

Developers were asked to test existing applications

documentedcorroborated

Beta 5 evidence places this Application testing state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at Beta 5

[1] Apple developer compatibility message preserved in 3.0 Features thread · Beta 5; existing-application testing request
[2] App Store Submissions Now Being Reviewed for iPhone OS 3.0 Compatibility · Beta 5; existing-application testing request

feature · introduced

The on-device store added video downloads

partiallyDocumentedcorroborated

GM evidence places this iTunes Store state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at GM

[1] Apple unveils new iPhone 3.0 features, sets release for June 17th · GM; on-device media purchases
[2] iPhone OS 3.0 gold release in pictures · GM; on-device media purchases
[3] iPhone OS 3.0 coming on June 17 · GM; on-device media purchases

compatibility · changed

Developers were directed to verify compatibility and ratings

partiallyDocumentedreported

GM evidence places this App Store submission state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at GM

[1] Apple unveils new iPhone 3.0 features, sets release for June 17th · GM; developer compatibility guidance

behavior · changed

The iTunes Store rearranged its bottom navigation

undocumentedreported

GM evidence places this iTunes Store state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at GM

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 gold release in pictures · GM; store navigation observation

behavior · changed

The App Store grouped Top 25 and Redeem under More

undocumentedreported

GM evidence places this App Store state in the milestone while preserving its documentation boundary.

Recorded at GM

[1] iPhone OS 3.0 gold release in pictures · GM; App Store navigation observation

feature · introduced

Cut, copy, and paste

documentedconfirmed

Users gained cut, copy, and paste operations that Apple described as working within or across applications.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · iPhone OS 3.0 feature list

developerApi · introduced

Maps and push-notification APIs

documentedconfirmed

Apple added a Maps API for tiles, location, annotations, and geocoding plus the Apple Push Notification service for sound, text, and badge alerts.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Maps API and Push Notifications

developerApi · introduced

Commerce, peer, and accessory APIs

documentedconfirmed

The 3.0 SDK added in-app purchases, Bluetooth-based peer connections, and an application interface for supported accessories.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · New SDK APIs

feature · introduced

Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe

documentedconfirmed

Apple connected iPhone OS 3.0 with MobileMe so a user could locate a device, display a message, play a sound, or erase its contents remotely; a MobileMe subscription was required.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · Find My iPhone; Pricing & Availability

enhancement · changed

Expanded direct media downloads

documentedconfirmed

Apple expanded on-device iTunes access to movies, television, audio programs, and iTunes U material.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · New iTunes features

enhancement · changed

Calendar and Stocks expansion

documentedconfirmed

Calendar added CalDAV and shared-calendar support, while Stocks added news, more trading metrics, and a landscape chart view.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Calendar and Stocks

security · fixed

Safari history and web-isolation protections

documentedconfirmed

The update synchronized search-history removal with Safari history clearing and repaired clickjacking, cross-site scripting, cross-origin image, redirect, object, and frame-handling weaknesses.

Recorded at Public

[1] About the security content of iOS 3.0 Software Update · Safari and WebKit

security · fixed

Graphics and document parser hardening

documentedconfirmed

Apple repaired multiple crafted-content paths in CoreGraphics, ImageIO, FreeType, and MPEG-4 processing that could terminate software, reset a device, disclose data, or execute code.

Recorded at Public

[1] About the security content of iOS 3.0 Software Update · CoreGraphics, ImageIO, and MPEG-4 Video Codec

security · fixed

Mail, Exchange, and profile protections

documentedconfirmed

Apple added control over remote image loading, corrected certificate-exception and call-confirmation behavior, and prevented a profile from weakening an Exchange passcode policy.

Recorded at Public

[1] About the security content of iOS 3.0 Software Update · Exchange, Mail, and Profiles

feature · introduced

Voice Memos

documentedconfirmed

The new Voice Memos app recorded audio and supported sending recordings from the device.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · iPhone OS 3.0 feature list
[2] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Voice Memo app

feature · introduced

MMS in Messages

documentedconfirmed

Apple added MMS to Messages on supported iPhone hardware and service, while explicitly noting carrier and regional limits.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · iPhone OS 3.0 features; MMS qualification
[2] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · MMS

security · fixed

Networking and telephony resilience

documentedconfirmed

Apple updated the IPsec library and corrected handling of crafted network requests that could exhaust resources or reset a device.

Recorded at Public

[1] About the security content of iOS 3.0 Software Update · IPSec and Telephony

enhancement · changed

Landscape keyboards

documentedconfirmed

Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari could present landscape-oriented text input on supported devices.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · iPhone OS 3.0 feature list
[2] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Landscape view

security · fixed

WebKit memory and privacy protections

documentedconfirmed

Apple documented fixes for crafted web content that could execute code, crash or reset software, track a session, or expose information across origins.

Recorded at Public

[1] About the security content of iOS 3.0 Software Update · WebKit

feature · introduced

Spotlight and expanded app search

documentedconfirmed

Spotlight searched across key applications, while Mail, iPod, and Notes received their own expanded search capabilities.

Recorded at Public

[1] Apple Announces the New iPhone 3GS—The Fastest, Most Powerful iPhone Yet · iPhone OS 3.0 feature list
[2] Apple Previews Developer Beta of iPhone OS 3.0 · Search and Spotlight

Release changes

Cumulative context

Broader context included for understanding, not claimed as new in this release.

developerApi · changed