Engadget reports that iOS 4.2 for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad will become available for download this Friday, to be preceded by the release of iTunes 10.1 on Thursday (or, according to Redmond Pie, today).
As we’ve previously reported, iOS 4.2 is going to include a number of advances, most notably adding multitasking, folders, game center, etc. to the iPad, but it will also redefine the iPad’s “orientation lock” switch to a mute switch (with no way for users to change it back).
One of the features touted for the new iOS was “AirPrint”, the ability to print from the iPad to compatible printers, or to printers shared through OS X or Windows computers. However, MacStories reports a rumor that the ability to print to shared computers has lately been removed, making it considerably less useful than it first appeared.
For those who prefer to jailbreak their devices, Redmond Pie has some details about what sorts of jailbreaking procedures will be available for OS 4.2, and what you should do to prepare (as well as how to back up your existing OS in case you decide that you’d like to downgrade back to it later).