Apple to unveil iPhone 3.0 software upgrade

It is also expected to unveil a new software development kit (SDK) for developers.

Few details of the software have been released but analysts expect the code will include support for video, turn by turn directions and possibly support for Flash, after Adobe at Mobile World Congress this year that it was targeting the smartphone market.

The news comes days after Android that it will be releasing a new version of its operating system, codenamed Cupcake in April, so Apple’s announcement may be a tactic to jump ahead of that, as no release date for iPhone 3.0 has been suggested.

Android’s Cupcake will include adding a virtual keyboard, to augment the existing hardware one available on the G1, as well as support for video and voice recording.

Other upgrades expected include support for Bluetooth stereo headsets, adding cutting and pasting to the browser and better search capabilities.