iOS 4.2 brings printing and multitasking to iPad today

The long awaited 4.2 update to Apple’s iOS software is released today bringing two major new features to the iPad, printing and multitasking, as well as other further improvements to the catalogue of iDevices.

As well as wireless printing (AKA AirPrint), the update also adds the AirPlay feature, letting you stream content from one Apple device to another, which might help Apple TV owners squeeze some sort of purpose out of the device.

Other key features among the 100+ announced are the arrival of folder support and Game Centre for iPad.

“iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Once again, the iPad with iOS 4.2 will define the target that other tablets will aspire to, but very few, if any, will ever be able to hit.”

A completely new product? OK Steve, whatever you say. Most of these updates have already been available to iPhone users for months. But it’s undeniably got some much wanted features packed in for iPad users, so make sure you grab iOS 4.2 when it rolls out later today.