For the last two weeks, excited iPad and iPhone users (like myself) have been waiting for Apple’s version 4.2 update to the software platform. There was a false alarm last Friday, and I jumped the gun mistaking what was revealed to be the Beatles announcement for the iOS update announcement.  So now: Good news everyone! Apple has the update ready for final approval, and they’ve loaded the preliminary, developer version online. Since some folks just can’t wait to check it out, the guys over at CNET downloaded the developer version and gave it a spin.  From their highlight reel, here’s what users can expect:

– iPhone 4 users will see small interface improvements.  With this update, they’ll be able to print photos and web pages.  They’ll also get some additional parental controls. SMS will be able to link directly to FaceTime. The iPhone Safari browser will also support text searching in the browser window- a feature I know that I was definitely missing.

-iPad users will also get plenty of new features. The iPad update brings Multitasking, App folders, and GameCenter along with a few other interesting features. Similar to the iPhone, the iPad gets some print options (like searching for local printers), and Safari text search.

Although all of this stuff is fun and interesting, I think that I am most excited about being able to categorize my iPad apps into folders instead of scrolling through all those screens.  When the update is ready, users can get it easily by clicking the ‘check for update’ button in iTunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkbmshLfkg