The paragraph below which you wrote were functions that were ALREADY in previous versions of the iPod/iPhone software:

“When playing music or video, double tapping the home button brings up playback controls regardless of which app you’re using at the time—very, very handy. Likewise, if you’re listening to music and your touch is locked, double tapping the home button will bring up the iPod controls without going through the rigamarole of unlocking, which is especially handy if you’ve configured your handheld to require a password in order to unlock.”