Apple has unveiled what it calls a "major update" to the operating system that drives the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Some of the 100 new features included in the update replicate those already offered by other smart phones.
The new functions include cut, copy and paste, long demanded by iPhone users, picture messaging and an in-phone search feature, but not Flash video(

).
"The upgrade is a big big deal (

) and will help persuade consumers to stay with Apple," said Gartner analyst Van Baker.
The operating system upgrade, the third for the iPhone, will be available from the summer and free to all iPhone users.
Users who want to download the 3.0 software onto their iPod touch will have to pay a fee of $9.95 (£6.80)

.
The upgrade will be free for all iPhones but not for the iPod Touch
Industry watchers are speculating that a new iPhone will also be released around the same time as the software upgrade.
"It wouldn't surprise me to see some new hardware come the summer," said Van Baker, of Gartner. He noted that Apple is facing increasing competition from other smartphones.
Gartner recently put Apple's share of the worldwide market at 10.7%


, compared to
Nokia at over 40% 
and Research in Motion, which makes the Blackberry, at under 20%
BBC NEWS | Technology | Apple unveils new iPhone features