Apple iOS 4 Complete Overview

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Apple unveiled the fourth generation of its smartphone at WWDC today.  Given the hardware changes, iPhone iOS 4 inherits most features of its predecessor OS.
The OS comes with 100 new and upgraded features that will be rolled out with the new iPhone 4 next month. It will also be available as a free software update on earlier devices, including the iPad, iPhone 3GS, and second and third generation iPod touch with 32GB or 64GB storage.

In his keynote address, Steve Jobs chose to highlight a select few of the iOS’s new feature that includes multitasking, iBooks, advertising and file management. There wasn’t enough time to cover all the upgrades and improvements.

Some of iOS 4 featured that slipped under the radar include app gifting, wireless keyboard support and many others.

Multi-tasking

iOS 4 will ensure that multitasking doesn’t hamper the performance or battery life. Steve Jobs demonstrated the feature with services such as Pandora and navigation running in background while other apps were running in the foreground.

• Now you can play audio continuously even while surfing the web, playing games and more.
• VoIP can be used even better enabling users to receive VoIP calls and conversations while using another app. Users can even receive the calls when their phones are locked in their pockets.
• New navigation apps can guide users who are listening to their iPods or using other apps. iOS 4 also offers battery efficient way to monitor location on the move.
• Now users can receive notifications from remote servers even when the app isn’t running.
• Users can now schedule events and alarms in the background, it doesn’t require any servers.
• All developers should be able to take advantage of the fast app switching feature, which will allow them to leave an app and come right back to where they had left.

There are two other remarkable iOS 4 features that adds to the party. Mail app’s major facelift and all-new app organization functionality.

Users can organize separate iPhone apps into one single app and access it easily. Folders will feature the familiar drag-and-drop functionality that Apple device users are use to.

Multimedia

iPhone 4 has undergone some remarkable changes in multimedia functionality. iOS 4 has been designed to support custom playlist creation for iTunes, tap-to-focus video, 5x zoom for camera functions.  What’s more, photos feature called Faces and Places. It allows users to sort and view photos based on where they were taken and who appears in them.

Email

Email on the iPhone is also getting a major overhaul in iOS 4. You will be able to view messages from all the accounts in a single, integrated inbox. Messages will be threaded, and you will able to open attachments using third-party apps.The mail has a spell-checker and other apps.

iAd

Apple will be having a new mobile advertising platform, blending the emotion of TV ads and the interactivity of web ads. iAd allows users to navigate back to their app and it is often difficult or sometimes impossible to return to exactly where they left. iAd solves this problem by displaying full-screen video and interactive add content without leaving the app and allowing the users to return their app anytime they choose. With  iPhone SDK 4 in iOS 4 developers can embed Ad opportunities within their apps and deliver the ads dynamically and wirelessly.

Game Center

Apple had been blaring about  iOS 4’s gaming features. Game Center will be Apple’s new social gaming network. Users can invite their friends to play games; start a multiplayer game through matchmaking, track their achievements and compare their high scores on a leader board. The iOS 4 GM seed software and SDK offers developers preview of the the GameKit APIs using which developers can create apps for Game Center.

Compatibility

iOS 4 works on both iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The OS will also support the for the second and third-generation iPod touch. iPad support is expected to be available this fall.

Applications can be gifted and shared with friends and family members. The background wallpaper on your home screen can be easily changed.  If enabled with wireless keyboards it will play nicely with the operating system.