Apple previewed its iPhone OS 4 software and unconfined a beta version of the software to iPhone Developer Program members. The iPhone OS 4 beta release includes an efficient Software Development Kit with over 1,500 new Application Programming Interfaces and over 100 new features that will be offered to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer. New features include Multitasking for third party apps; Folders to better sort out and access apps; improved Mail with a unified inbox, fast inbox switching and threaded messages; enhanced Enterprise support with even better data protection, mobile device management, wireless app distribution and more; Apple's new iAd mobile advertise platform; and iBooks, the delightful new ebook reader and online bookstore newly debuted on the iPad.
"iPhone OS 4 is the fourth most important release of the world's most advanced mobile operating system," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We're delivering over 100 new features, together with multitasking, folders, a unified inbox, deeper Enterprise support, and an iPhone version of our iBooks reader and online iBookstore."
iPhone OS 4's new multitasking offers users a new way to fast move between apps, and provides developers seven new multitasking services to easily add multitasking features to their apps.
These services include background audio, so apps like Pandora can play tune in the background, and VoIP, so VoIP apps can receive a VoIP call even when the iPhone is asleep or the customer is running other apps. iPhone OS 4 provides multitasking to third party apps while preserving battery life and foreground app performance, which has until now proved subtle on mobile devices.
Folders help users improved organize and quickly access their apps. Simply drag one app icon onto another, and a new folder is mechanically created. The folder is automatically given a name based on the App Store category of that app, such as "Games," which the user can simply rename. Using folders, users can now arrange and access over 2,000 apps on their iPhone. Users can also create and direct iPhone folders on their Mac® or PC using iTunes® 9.2.
Availability
The iPhone OS 4 beta software and SDK are accessible immediately for iPhone Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iPhone OS 4 will be obtainable as a software update to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer.* A version of iPhone OS 4 will be approaching to iPad this Fall.
*Some features may not be obtainable on all products. For example, Multitasking requires iPhone 3GS or third generation iPod touch (late 2009 models with 32GB or 64GB).
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