Apple’s media event has kicked off on schedule, and CEO Steve Jobs came on stage to introduce the first of many treats today: iOS 4.1.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs officially introduced iOS 4.1, the latest version of software for the iPhone and iPod touch which will be available next week. At the top of the list of are much-needed bug fixes for the proximity sensor, performance boosts for the iPhone 3G and Bluetooth as well as the return of Game Center, which went missing when iOS 4 was officially released and only recently returned with iOS 4.1 beta versions released to developers.

On the new feature front is HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos, which allows you to combine multiple photos taken at different exposures and combine them into a one high-resolution file. The demos look great, and your device keeps both the normal and HDR versions in your Camera Roll. HD video uploads over Wi-Fi will also make their debut with next week’s update, another much-requested feature.

Game Center makes its triumphant return to the iPhone and iPod touch with iOS 4.1 as well. A favorite with developers prior to the release of iOS 4 in June, the feature was sadly missing from the release version. Game Center brings leaderboards, friends lists, achievements, new game discovery and pop-up invitations with Accept or Decline buttons.

Last but not least, iOS 4.1 will bring TV show rentals to the iPhone and iPod touch, in keeping with today’s new Apple TV announcement. The release of iOS 4.1 next week is hardly the end of the story, either -- Jobs gave a preview of iOS 4.2 at Wednesday’s media event as well, claiming it’s “all about the iPad.”

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