Apple is ramping up to release the latest version of its iOS, which promises to up the ante on multitasking capabilities for the iPad.

Just this week, Apple treated developers to the golden master build of iOS 4.2, delivering iOS 4 features such as a unified e-mail inbox, folders and multitasking to the iPad, as well as unveiling AirPlay and AirPrint to the iOS line of devices. AirPlay lets users wirelessly stream videos, music and photos from an iPad to the new Apple TV, and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express. AirPrint, on the other hand, lets users print mail, photos, Web pages, and more directly to a printer on a wireless network.

According to a report from Apple Insider, the new update will deliver multitasking functionality and iOS Folders to the iPad, along with a variety of other features currently only available on the iPhone and iPod touch, such as support for multiple e-mail aliases, a unified inbox, and messages organized by threads in Mail, and the ability to open attachments in third party apps.New multitasking features will incorporate the software orientation lock and music playback controls available on the iPhone running iOS 4, which are accessed via swiping to the left from the list of currently running apps. The iPad also presents a brightness control.

In terms of losses, the iPad will shed its hardware toggle which is assigned to locking the screen orientation; the button will instead work to mute audio, just like the iPhone. The modification has irked some Apple users by refusing to offer them a choice of how their hardware buttons work.

AppleInsider also noted in a report filed in September that iOS 4.2 also incorporates support for Google's revised YouTube voting, a direct link to launching a FaceTime video call from within the SMS messages interface, and new CoreMIDI music APIs for music-related apps.