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iPhone to support paid DLC

Bluetooth multiplayer too in OS 3.0.

Dark blue icons of video game controllers on a light blue background
Image credit: Eurogamer

Apple has announced the feature set of the next version of the iPhone operating system, OS 3.0, and much of it is relevant to the game's burgeoning gaming scene - especially paid-for App updates and peer-to-peer Bluetooth connection.

Although iPhone users will probably be most excited about the arrival of cut, copy and paste (finally!), in-application purchasing means developers can start charging for downloadable content for their games.

At yesterday's preview event, this was demonstrated with a preview of EA's iPhone version of The Sims 3, in which you'll be able to buy virtual items directly from an in-game store. The game also makes use of in-App access to your iPod library for your own music.

Peer-to-peer connectivity via Bluetooth will make local multiplayer possible for the first time, and there will also be in-game voice support and notifications pushed to your phone within an App - for example, notifications of a request for a match with another player.

Rolando publisher Ngmoco showed two new games at the event: the Nintendogs-style Touch Pets, and Live Fire, a multiplayer FPS with 3G and wireless internet support and an in-game weapons store.

OS 3.0 is due for release "this summer". Touch Arcade has all the details and some photos of the games.

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