7) Stereo Bluetooth

Just last week, I was complaining about the iPhone 3G's lack of stereo Bluetooth, when my iPhone didn't work along with an in-car FM transmitter I was reviewing. (Every other device I employed worked just fine.)

iPhone 3.0 Stereo Bluetooth Icon

Well, that's about to change. iPhone 3.0 brings new stereo Bluetooth support to the iPhone and iPod touch, so users will be able to, say, listen to their iTunes music collections via wireless Bluetooth headphones and in-car systems.

6) MMS Support...Sort Of

U.S. iPhone users on AT&T will have to wait until "late summer" to access the feature, according to the carrier, but iPhone 3.0 will support MMS messages. That means iPhone owners will now--finally-be able send video, photos, audio, and contact info in SMS-text-like messages.

You'll also be able to take and send both pictures and videos directly from the Messages application.

It sure would be nice to have access to this cool new feature immediately, but AT&T--not Apple--is to blame on that front.

5) Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe (MobileMe)

iPhone and iPod touch owners who employ Apple's MobileMe service will get a brand new option called "Find My iPhone," which lets you pinpoint the whereabouts of your device at any given time. This could come in handy: if you misplace your handheld, you can order your iPhone or iPod to sound an "alarm" until you've found it. Or if the gadget is not hiding under the kitchen counter clutter, you can use the service to locate a lost or stolen Apple handheld.

The new MobileMe-based service also lets you remotely wipe your device, if need be.

This all sounds fine and good, but I've got to say, I'm curious about what privacy/security issues may come of this in the future.

4) iPhone Tethering

Once again, U.S. iPhone users get the short end of AT&T's stick here, but iPhone 3.0 will finally support tethering. Thanks--or no thanks--to AT&T, it won't be available in the U.S. immediately, but tethering enables you to utilize your iPhone's cellular or Wi-Fi connection to give your laptop Web access.

iPhone 3.0 devices will be able to "tether" to laptops via USB cable or Bluetooth, Apple says--just not immediately in the States.

3) Buy iTunes Movies, TV Shows, Audiobooks from iPhone, iPod

iPhone 3.0 will let you purchase films, television episodes and audiobooks directly from your iPhone or iPod. In the past, you could purchase music via iPhone, but that was about it.

Now you can pick up the latest 30 Rock episode or the new Eastwood flick without using your computer, though you'll need a Wi-Fi connection for downloads that exceed 10MB.