Apple Announces New Features and Specs in iPhone OS 4.0
April 8, 2010 - By Phineas Delgado
At 10:00 AM PST, Apple unveiled the newest generation of its wildly popular smartphone, the iPhone, with over 50 million units sold. Officially known as iPhone OS 4.0, CEO Steve Jobs promised users that it will deliver a faster, more agile, and, most importantly, more powerful iPhone OS than they’ve seen in the past. While there have not been any major problems with any generation of the device, since its initial debut in 2007, consumers consistently crave more out of their mobile computing devices. It appears that Apple has been paying attention to the web-based articles, comments, and forum posts, all along.
The purpose of today’s event was to provide a Developers Preview. Jobs proudly reported the device was the winner of the JD Power’s customer satisfaction award in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He also revealed what Apple refers to as “7 Tentpole Features” that make up the next generation software. So what are the newest specifications and must-have 100 new features that Apple will include in OS 4.0? We outline them below, for your reading pleasure. Don’t get too excited yet, though, because you’ll have to wait until June 2010, to get your hands on one.
The 7 “Tentpole” features include new APIs that support:
- Multi-tasking
- VoIP
- Background location
- Push Notifications (from the server)
- Local notifications (from the device)
- Task completion (pending app processes notify you when they’re done)
- Fast App switching
Other new additions that will increase functionality:
- Addition of iBooks
- Folders (Allows grouping of apps into specific folders)
- File & delete Mail search results
- Separate Home and Lock screen wallpapers
- Support for Bluetooth Keyboards
- Gift Apps
- Playlist creation
- Digital zoom increased to 5x
- Persistent Wi-Fi
- Game Center (similar to an App Store for games?)
- Unified inbox
- Ability to open mail attachments with 3rd party apps
- Improved Enterprise support for SSL VPN, multiple Exchange accounts, wireless App distribution, and encrypted mail
- iAd (adds interactive advertisements within apps)
Who can upgrade their current iPhone to OS 4.0? Sadly, only iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3rd-Generation owners will be able to upgrade and take advantage of the new features. For all others who absolutely have to have multi-tasking functionality, the only option will remain the traditional and warranty-voiding jailbreak.
Of course, the event’s conclusion only signals the beginning of the speculation regarding how popular it will be, what was left out, etc. For now, though, Apple fans will have to be content with what is to come in iPhone OS 4.0. You can also be certain that the SDK, which is available for download now, will quickly become a hot commodity for developers, who will want to get a head-start on the application building process.
[...] Missed the event? Read the complete review of the iPhone OS 4.0 features and specifications here: Apple Announces New Features and Specs in iPhone OS 4.0 [...]
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I would have to think that a new iPhone model would have to be announced soon, especially if you’re not offering support for the 3G. I think that Apple doesn’t want to take the shine off of the iPad just yet though – a new iPhone announcement would kill the iPad buzz pretty quick.
Your theory sounds reasonable. I, too, thought the timing was pretty close to the iPad release. I can’t say I’m not a bit disappointed by the lack of a hardware update, myself, especially with the rumors of front/back touch-swipe functionality and rear/front-facing camera. Hopefully, you’re right, and we’ll see something more impressive sooner, rather than later.