Only two weeks after launching the 3.0 software update for iPhone and iPod Touch, Apple is now working hard on delivering an update to the iPhone OS. The iPhone SDK 3.1 beta has been pushed out to developers last night, which already reported a few new features and refinements.

Apple has not mentioned specifically the improvements in the iPhone 3.1 beta update, but numerous developers have downloaded the software and reported on forums and blogs some of the new things they discovered within the update.

At a first glance, reports say that the iPhone 3.1 improves Voice Control functionality (introduced with the iPhone 3GS), which now works over Bluetooth as well. Video editing on the iPhone 3GS is going to be improved also, as users will be able to save a copy of the original video before they start trimming.

Other visible user interface improvements reported include tactile feedback (vibration) when moving applications icons on the screen and paste capabilities in the dialer application. The dialer app will also convert alphanumeric numbers (such as 1-800-MY-APPLE) into regular phone numbers when pasted in.

Developers also found a few under-the-hood changes in the iPhone 3.1 software beta to the OpenGL and Quartz engines and an Video Editor Controller API, which allows third-party applications to call up the video editing interface.

The MMS functionality is enabled by default say developers, but it still doesn’t work for AT&T users (although the AT&T profile was updated to 4.2). It is yet unclear whether this change signals that AT&T will enable MMS messaging as soon as the iPhone 3.1 software update is widely available to the public.

Apple has not said when a final version of the 3.1 software will be released to all iPhone users or whether this update addresses the latest iPhone 3GS overheating reports.

Already looking forward to the iPhone 4.0 software release? So are we! Check out our iPhone 4.0 OS wishlist and let us know which other features you would like to see. Meanwhile, make sure you have a look at the 10 Hidden Features in the 3.0 Software Update.

If you have not upgraded to iPhone OS 3.0 yet, the next iPhone OS upgrade should be coming with version 3.1. While there is no change log available on the new version, it should include numerous bug fixes and the mms feature is said to be turned on by default even if you are on AT&T network. We will keep you updated once we have the information on the detail change log.

iPhone SDK 3.1 beta and iPhone OS 3.1 beta are now posted to the iPhone Dev Center. These versions are for development and testing only and should be installed on devices dedicated to iPhone OS 3.1 beta software development. Please read the iPhone OS Pre-Install Advisory and the iPhone SDK 3.1 beta release notes before downloading and installing.

iPhone OS 3.0 was just released 2 weeks ago, with the addition features like copy & paste, mms (depends on your regions) and landscape keyboard.

The iPhone 3.1 beta has been released to developers, and includes some cool features, including Voice Control over Bluetooth.

Baseband has been updated to 5.08.o1, so don’t install the beta if your iPhone has been unlocked with the ultrasnow hack — it will permantly lock it.

The beta also allows edited videos to be saved as a copy, preserving the original. And MMS is on by default, but doesn’t work for AT&T subscribers.

The full list, via the QuickPwn website, after the jump.

According to the QuickPwn website, here’s what’s been discovered in the iPhone OS 3.1 beta so far:

* The baseband has been updated to 5.08.01 – ultrasn0w users should not use the iPhone OS 3.1 beta, otherwise their iPhones could be permanently locked!
* iPhone 3GS – When you’re trimming your videos you now have the option of saving the original video by tapping the “Save as copy” button.
* Voice Control is finally working over bluetooth now!
* When you move your icons around the iPhone vibrates
* MMS is enabled by default but does not work for AT&T users
* The AT&T profile is updated to 4.2
* Improvements to OpenGL and Quartz
* There’s now a VideoEditorController API – Allows third party apps to call up video editing UI
* Video picker API