iPhone OS 3.1 Next Week

iPhone OS 3.1 is likely to ship next week, alongside the Apple event on September 9.

Along with the update, it is speculated that AT&T will announce that it will support MMS, that is sending multimedia files in messages, support for which was added in iPhone OS 3.0, but AT&T has yet to support the feature. AT&T has previously stated that MMS support will be added by the end of the summer and it is quickly approaching that deadline.

iPhone OS 3.1 will also add support for file transfers via Bluetooth and modem tethering, which will allow the use of AT&T’s cellular network to access the Internet on a computer when the iPhone is plugged into it. Tethering will likely require a separate plan, though we can always hope that AT&T will allow us to use the data plan purchased for the iPhone for tethering too. 3.1 will also increase battery life for the iPhone 3GS, make starting up and shutting down apps faster and increase the performance of Quartz and OpenGL. iPhone 3.1 will also include updated developer tools that allow for the optimization of apps for the iPhone 3GS, which has a faster CPU and GPU than the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G.

[via geek.com]

Update: MobileCrunch reports that AT&T has officially announced that MMS will be enabled by a software update on 25 September.

The AT&T’s full update from its Facebook page is posted below:

An Update on iPhone MMS for our Mobility CustomersWe know many of our iPhone customers are eager for an update on our rollout schedule for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). We’ve been working for the past several months to prepare our systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches – and that launch date is: September 25 for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day.We know that iPhone users will embrace MMS. The unique capabilities and high usage of the iPhone’s multimedia capabilities required us to work on our network MMS architecture to carry the expected record volumes of MMS traffic and ensure an excellent experience from Day One. We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end.We’re riding the leading edge of smartphone growth that’s resulted in an explosion of traffic over the AT&T network. Wireless use on our network has grown an average of 350 percent year-over-year for the past two years, and is projected to continue at a rapid pace in 2009 and beyond. The volume of smartphone data traffic the AT&T network is handling is unmatched in the wireless industry. We want you to know that we’re working relentlessly to innovate and invest in our network to anticipate this growth in usage and to stay ahead of the anticipated growth in data demand, new devices and applications for years to come.We thank you for your business and look forward to keeping you updated on our initiatives.