Apple launches iOS 4.2, iPad gets AirPrint

Apple's iOS 4.2 is now available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The most notable features include multitasking, unified inbox and AirPrint, a Wi-Fi printing architecture.

For Apple, the move is a nice way to update the iPad ahead of the Christmas shopping season. The new iOS also unified the iPad with the iPhone and iPod touch.

Among the notable items:

• AirPrint will allow the iPad to print to Hewlett-Packard printers such as Photosmart, LaserJet Pro and Officejet.
• GameCenter will allow friends to play games against each other.
• The iPad can now rent TV episodes directly from iTunes.
• There's support for 25 languages.

The iOS is available via iTunes 10.1.