Today’s iPhone OS 4.0 preview included plenty of new features that have been requested by developers and users alike. We’ll run through a quick summary of the major additions to the operating system and go in-depth as more information becomes available.
One of the biggest features that Apple has now added to iPhone OS 4.0 is multitasking, implemented in a way that prevents Apps from draining the battery or slowing performance. Apple listed 7 core functions that would be provided by APIs for use by developers:
- Background Audio
- Voice over IP
- Background location
- Push notifications
- Local notifications
- Task completion
- Fast app switching
Applications that were demoed performing functions in the background include Skype, which allowed a call to remain connected, Pandora, which kept streaming audio running, and TomTom which continued to provide turn-by-turn directions even after the user had switched away from the App itself. Read more
iOS 4.2.1 now available on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
As we expected, Apple today released iOS 4.2.1 and brought all supported devices up to the same version of the operating system. You can upgrade by plugging in your device and checking for updates in iTunes.
The update is free for all devices that can run iOS 4, which at this point is every iOS portable device other than the first generation iPhone and iPod Touch.
For iPad owners, iOS 4.2.1 is a very significant upgrade; many of the features that other iDevice owners have been enjoying since iOS 4 was released this past summer are now available on Apple’s tablet. Game Center, folders, tv show rentals, the unified email inbox, and of course multitasking are all now available on the iPad. Read more