Apple has released a version of the iPhone 2 software (v2.1) to beta programmers along with an updated SDK. The firmware release supposedly includes additional core GPS features that allow computation and use of direction of travel and speed. This is good for those of us waiting patiently for turn-by-turn direction software for the phone.

Apparently there's also some functionality that enables apps to process push notifications in the background, as well. I, for one, hope for more background processing capabilities in general in the app arena. Would be nice to have Pandora keep playing music when exiting, or not to have to reload any of several twitter clients every time I click a Safari link and want to go back.

Read the story at Mac Rumors and Gear Live.