Why iPod Touch owners should upgrade their software to OS 3.0

By Donald Bell on 23 June 2009

For iPod Touch owners, iPhone OS 3.0 enhancements such as MMS and copy/paste aren't as relevant as the subtle improvements Apple has made to media playback and search.

New features such as music search (distinct from Spotlight), fine track scrubbing control, podcast emailing and an expanded iTunes store front won't grab many headlines, but they're certainly welcome additions to an already excellent product.

To make the point, this slideshow highlights some of the less-appreciated media improvements in iPhone OS 3.0. So whether you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, it's worth making the software upgrade.

Spotlight search

Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 provides several improvements to the way your iPhone or iPod Touch handles media playback.

One of the most useful new features is Apple's Spotlight search, which is accessible directly from the main screen. Spotlight provides a means to search all of your content: music, email, apps, everything. Search results appear after typing only a few letters and quickly refine themselves as you complete typing.

After you've located the file in Spotlight, selecting it will launch the file within its given app. From an iPod perspective, Spotlight provides the fastest access to finding and playing a specific song, with a minimum of clicks.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)

Topics: ipod, itouch, software, upgrade, OS 3.0, apple, music

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Comments (14)

  • MY IPOD IS AmAZING IS THE TOUCH 8 GB 2 G! commented on 03/08/2009 13:47

    I LOVE MY IPOD WERE MARRIED

  • sadeq commented on 23/07/2009 21:21

    no need to upgrade, its not worth the money.

  • KloneZeehx2 commented on 23/07/2009 13:08

    I first read before I upgraded but since i read it first people say 3.0 isnt go as the features weren't as good but i upgraded anyways there has been no problem the best feature i love is the bluetooth n shake shuffle, it helps me alot as they work perfectly on my 8gb ipod touch 2nd Gen

  • Ejay commented on 05/07/2009 04:48

    Shake to shuffle thing is not working properly in my opinion. Works only when the music player is open and iPod is not locked. There is no point in it because its faster to just push the "next song" spot than shake. If this thing worked while my iPod is locked it would be great, now it's not.

  • Annon commented on 06/01/2010 01:31

    although if it shuffled while it was locked it would be constantly changing songs while you walked, which would get quite annoying dont you think.
    and just to be clear, i think its a pointless gimick anyway, i just double click on my iphone headset controls

  • jcg commented on 01/07/2009 16:53

    i believe that stereo bluetooth is completely pointless, the update really was worth it though, now i can make video playlists, use the landscape keyboard... and most importantly in my opinion, the fact that i can now have 11 pages worth of apps, instead of a lousy nine; it made a real difference. The only way that i think apple could improve the ipod touch, is to add actual bluetooth, so that i can send and recieve files. I doubt that this will ever happen though because of the amount of money that would be lost.

  • Noel Stalker commented on 30/06/2009 23:28

    the ipod touch 3.0 update broke my 2nd gen ipod touch. I don't recommend installing it.

  • AndrewP commented on 30/06/2009 20:39

    Really wasn't worth the cash Apple asked for it though was it?

  • shuffle? commented on 25/06/2009 17:11

    is it just me or does the shake to shuffle function only work a) when the iPod app is open and the phone is unlocked. Once locked I cant get the shake to function

  • Paul B commented on 23/06/2009 17:38

    Current Version (2.x) allows you to redeem iTunes gift card credit in iTunes > click download then redeem

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