The iPad previously ran on OS 3.2. The upgrade gives the iPad some abilities that were already available on the iPhone 4.

The iPad previously ran on OS 3.2. The upgrade gives the iPad some abilities that were already available on the iPhone 4. (CBC)

A free operating system update for the iPad will provide it with new abilities such as multitasking and streaming movies to Apple TV.

"OS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, in a statement Monday coinciding with the release of the update.

The iPhone and iPod Touch can also be updated to OS 4.2. With the new software, devices can:

  • Stream video, music and photos to an Apple TV box via a service called AirPlay. Print wirelessly to printers supporting Apple's new AirPrint service.

Up until now, the iPad ran on OS 3.2, putting it a generation behind the latest iPhone, which was released in July.

Some of the abilities that the iPad gets with its operating system update were already available on the iPhone 4, such as:

  • Multitasking, which allows users to listen to music while performing other tasks, for example.
  • Multi-player gaming through Apple's "Game Center."
  • Folder creation for grouping similar apps.

Apple also announced Monday that a service to help users find their missing iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch is now free. The Find My iPhone service allows users to remotely make their device play a sound or display a message. They can also view its location on a map.