Apple announced the third major version of the iPhone and iPod touch operating system software at an event in California today. iPhone OS 3.0 focuses mostly on adding features long-demanded by iPhone owners and critics alike. For example, MMS (multi-media-messaging) will finally be implemented, so you'll be able to send images, sound files, and even GPS coordinates to your friends via text message.

Another much-anticipated addition is the ability to copy, cut, and paste text from any field in any application to any other. For example, you could pull a website address from the Safari web browser and paste a link to it in a text message or an e-mail.

Push notifications have also been added, so some apps will be able to tell you when something happens that demands your attention even if you've already returned to the home screen or opened another application. IM apps (like Meebo, which was announced at the event) will benefit from this in particular, but the potential uses are broad.

Apple boasts that the update adds over 100 new features. An early version is available to app developers today, but the public won't get it until sometime this summer. It will be free for all existing iPhone owners and $9.95 for iPod touch owners. It's worth mentioning that while the update will be available for the first generation iPhone (the non-3G one), some features — such as MMS and stereo Bluetooth — will not be available.

Keep reading below to see our list of some of the other features 3.0 adds to the phone.

• In-App Purchase: Purchase and download expansions, extra levels, and more from within an application or game.
• Peer-to-Peer: Connect to other iPhones over Bluetooth to share information or to enjoy multi-user apps or games.
• App developers now have the ability to control hardware accessories with the iPhone software.
• Apple is making the wider, landscape-mode keyboard accessible in all its key apps, including Mail, SMS, and Notes.
• Spotlight search: All key apps are now searchable, both from within the apps and from a new app called Spotlight that searches the entire phone.
• Google Maps are now accessible within third party apps, making things much easier for developers who want to incorporate location-based services.
• Turn-by-turn directions are now possible for third party apps thanks to GPS and cell phone tower triangulation.
• Modest updates to the Stocks and Calendar apps
• A new key app called Voice Memos will let you record audio files using the built-in microphone or an external one.
• Stereo Bluetooth support
• "Shake to shuffle" for iPod
• "VPN on demand"
• YouTube enhancements, including user account support, video subscriptions, and ratings.
• In-app voice chat for games.
• Notes Sync
• Encrypted profiles
• EAS policies
• Revocation of certifications
• OTA profiles
• Media scrubber
• Parental controls
• Call log
• Auto-fill
• Create meeting invitations
• Anti-phising
• EAP SIM
• LDAP
• iTunes account creation
• Wi-Fi auto login
• Proxy support
• Audio and video tags

[Image courtesy of Gizmodo.]