SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Inc on Monday released iOS 4.2, the latest version of its mobile operating system, in an effort to boost the sales of the company's mobile devices in the upcoming holiday shopping season.

The new software is now available for download to iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch by syncing the devices with iTunes application, Apple said.

The update means iPad tablet computer users can now enjoy many features already available on iPhone and iPod Touch such as multitasking, which enables users to switch between third-party applications instantly.

"iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season," Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive officer, said in a statement.

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"Once again, the iPad with iOS 4.2 will define the target that other tablets will aspire to, but very few, if any, will ever be able to hit," he added.

Other notably features of the new software include AirPrint which supports wireless printing from Apple devices, as well as AirPlay which allows users to stream music, video and photos wirelessly from their devices to TV screen through the company's Apple TV set-top box.

Apple also announced that a feature called "Find My iPhone" is now free for use on iPad, iPhone 4 and the latest generation of iPod Touch.

The feature lets users locate a missing device on a map and have it display a message or play a sound. Users can even remotely lock or wipe data from a lost device.