Rumours: iOS 4.2 out Friday, iTunes 10.1 today

iOS 4 has been around for a while now, but it's only with iOS 4.2 that iPad owners get to join the multi-tasking, Game Center-playing party.

Launch date rumours are flying thick and fast. Most seem to cite German Apple blog iFun, which discovered a link confirming carrier updates on November 12th, which may also carry iOS 4.2.

If that’s true, then we can expect iTunes 10.1 before then, and rumours strongly suggest that could mean today.

When iTunes 10.1 lands, we can expect a huge overhaul compared to previous versions.

It'll include a built-in networking tool called Ping, with all the social music functionality of sites like Last.fm, Spotify, and Soundcloud. There’s also a new logo, very clearly stating that CDs are a thing of the past.

The new iOS promises a range of new features, including folders for iPad, multitasking, and the ability to stream games, music, and video to new Apple TVs or speakers wirelessly.

Some of the advertised features look like they won’t make the final release, though. Most notably AirPrint,which promised to enable iPads to sync wirelessly with any printer.

According to TheAppera, the feature has now been officially canned, with Apple stating:

“Support for AirPrint on Windows and Mac has been cancelled. We will be in contact with you if another opportunity arises in the future.”

Of course, these proposed dates are only rumours, but if we see iTunes today it’ll be a sure sign that iOS 4.2 is soon to follow.

The release will be in US time, so we’ll keep an ear to the ground throughout the afternoon.