iPhone OS 4.0

Apple have announced the latest version of the iPhone OS, 4.0.

iPhone OS 4, will power iPhones, iPod touches and iPads across the globe sometime this summer (iPad in the fall), with the developer preview out now. iPhone 3GS and new-generation iPod Touch will receive all of the features, but due to technical limitations, some features will be excluded for iPhone 3G/2G and older iPhone touches. The biggest new feature is multitasking, which Apple say will be the “best” implementation on a smartphone, however it will be one of the features excluded for older devices.

  • New features for users:
    • Multitasking.
    • Spell-check.
    • Bluetooth keyboard support.
    • User-defined wallpaper.
    • Tap to focus, when recording video.
    • Playlist creation.
    • App folders – Allowing for the sorting of apps into folders
    • Enchanced Mail – Merged inbox view, sync with more than one Exchange account, threaded messages, in-app attachment viewing.
    • iBooks
    • Enterprise
    • Game Center – A gaming platform including achievements, leaderboards and match making.
  • New features for developers:
    • New SDK
    • 1,500 new APIs.
    • Background audio/VoIP/location data.
    • Local notifications – sends a notification straight from the app.
    • Fast app switching.
    • iAd – ads that keep you in the app.
    • In-app SMS.
    • Map overlays.
    • Quick look for previewing documents.
    • Access to Photo Library/Calendar/Camera/Video playback and capture.
    • Date and address data detectors.
    • Automated testing and performance/power analysis.