Apple on Wednesday released the new iPhone 3.1 update for both the iPhone and iPod Touch in conjunction with the new version of iTunes, version 9. iTunes 9 adds many new features, such as application management and Genius Mixes, but iPhone 3.1 also added many new features, like a remote lock feature and MMS features (but still not actual MMS messaging yet in the U.S.).

Apple's iPhone 3.1 update is free for all users of the iPhone and $4.99 for iPod Touch users without 3.0 and free for current 3.0 users. It is a minor update, but it's definitely still worth the update if you use an iPhone because it's free.

Apple added a remote lock feature for users with a MobileMe account synced with their iPhone. If you lose your iPhone, simply log into MobileMe and you can set a 4 digit lock code that will instantly lock your iPhone for any use without the 4 digit password. This is dependent on the iPhone being connected to the cellular network, just as the Remote Wipe feature also is.

Recommendations have been added to the App Store similarly to how they are already in the music store. When you browse the App Store from your mobile device, it will suggest other applications based on your past purchases and other user purchases. This will make the App Store easier to browse and find applications because it can be hard to find just the right app among the 65,000 applications in the store.

Voice commands can now be dictated via Bluetooth headsets, but it varies whether or not this will work from headset to headset. Some headsets with both trigger and dictate voice commands and others will only do one or the other. This solely depends on the model you use, but this functionality, while incomplete, does help move the iPhone to a more handsfree world.

It should also be noted that while Apple did add the ability to import videos from MMS messages into Camera Roll, MMS messaging is still not enabled for iPhone users in the United States. AT&T says that will happen September 25th via a Software Update available through iTunes. Importing videos also has been added to work from e-mail messages too in 3.1.

There are a few other new features added worth mentioning:

• "Save as New" when editing a video on an iPhone 3GS
• Direct pasting of phone numbers into the dialing screen
• Phishing protection built-into Safari Web browser
• Wi-Fi performance has been increased when Bluetooth is simultaneously enabled for iPhone 3G users
• Improved Microsoft Exchange support

You can download version 3.1 of the iPhone & iPod Touch OS via iTunes 9.