iPhone to support paid DLC

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.