iOS 4.2 not needed for apps to register as file destinations

Checking the work website today, I discovered that a feature supposedly new to iOS 4.2 works on my iPhone running iOS 4.1. According to an announcement by Evernote, “iOS 4.2 allows apps to register themselves as destinations for certain file types.” Yet, I’m finding this feature already works with their updated iPhone app while running iOS 4.1.

Basically, certain file types in Safari or received in Mail can be opened with an app registered to that file type, in addition to the default. For example, I sent an MP3 to myself and found that a single tap opens it in the Quicktime player but a long press pulled up a submenu with more options. At the top was VLC. Other options included Evernote and Air Sharing. Thus far, I’ve found that the current versions of VLC, Air Sharing, and Evernote utilize this feature.

Matt Faulkner mentioned this also worked to open PDF in iBooks, so I did a check and found that iBooks could always open PDFs from email. I assume then that this “new” feature is actually an old one that Apple has unlocked for third-party apps. Or maybe the Evernote post was just mistaken. Regardless, this feature seems to work with any app updated to use it. No need to wait for iOS 4.2 (whenever that drops). At least on the iPhone. If it doesn’t work on your iPad, which hasn’t gotten a bump up to iOS 4, let me know.