We all knew an update to iPhone OS 3.0 would be on the way some time in the near future, but this is not only fast but significant too.

If you recall, last summers’ release of iPhone OS 2.0 was a bit problematic. An update was released within a few weeks but it simply made the new operating system not suck stink. Feature enhancements were made to that generation of the OS but those came later.

Well, OS 3.1 is on the way, and while it is filled with the requisite bug fixes it actually adds some significant enhancements to Video and Voice Control as well.

Early test with the OS indicate that it now allows you to edit video (if you can actually call the trimming capability “editing”) and then “Save As” rather than overwrite the original. (Obviously this enhancement only matters if you also upgraded your hardware.) With video playing such a significant role in the new iPhone this is a nice feature and bodes well for future enhancements, as well.

Another improvement is the ability to use Voice Control over Bluetooth. The Voice Control has been a bit of a letdown due to its limitations. This will lift one of them when it is released. Let’s hope a more robust set of controls is on the way some time in the future.

Other enhancements include improvements to the handling of app icons and a chance in the AT&T carrier profile.

No word on the public release of 3.1 but it can’t be all that far off.