Apple shows off the iPhone OS 4 software and released its beta version for the iPhone Developer Program members. This beta release comes inclusive of an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) along with over 1500 new Application Programming Interfaces (API) and over 100 new features for the iPhone.
Apple has packed in some interesting features with the software update. These include multitasking for third party apps, better organizing of applications via folders, unified inbox and fast swapping between inbox and threaded messages. It also includes an improved enterprise support with better data protection, mobile device management and wireless application distribution. Moreover, the iPhone has been made compatible with Apple’s iAd mobile advertising platform and iBooks, the online bookstore.
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs quotes that, “iPhone OS 4 is the fourth major release of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. We’re delivering over 100 new features, including multitasking, folders, a unified inbox, deeper Enterprise support, and an iPhone version of our iBooks reader and online iBookstore.”
With the multitasking feature, users can easily navigate between applications while developers can add multitasking features to other applications from the seven pre-loaded services. These services are inclusive of background audio so as to allow Pandora to play music in the background, or even receive VoIP calls while accessing other applications. The new OS also permits multitasking to third party applications, at the same time preserving battery life and foreground application performance, which has otherwise proved ambiguous on mobile devices.
Users can now segregate their applications in an organized manner with the folders option. With the simple drag and drop function users can create a new folder. Moreover, the folder is named depending on the application stored in it, which can also be renamed later. With this feature, users can easily categorize over 2000 applications on their iPhone.
With the new unified mailbox feature, users can access mails from all their mail ids in a single inbox. To switch from one inbox to the other, users simply need to tap the screen and they are directed to that inbox. Besides, the feature also allows users to thread their messages conversation-wise, thus making it easier for the user to check on email updates. Users can even open attachments that are compatible with applications from the App Store.
The iAd application makes it easier for the user to view ads without having to leave the application mid-way. Earlier by clicking on mobile ads, users were directed to the advertisers’ page, thereby digressing from the application to a new web browser. However, iAd displays full-screen videos and interactive ad content without moving away from the application. Developers can integrate ads into their applications using iAd, and the ads are later displayed on the iPhone wirelessly.
The new beta release comes with the Game Centre preview, which contains APIs that allow developers to create applications that are multiplayer-enabled. They can even create games that allow players to start multi-player games through matchmaking, and then compare track records and high-scores to be the score-board leader. Applications created with GameKit APIs can work well with Game Center, Apple’s social gaming network that is to be made available for the iPhone users sometime this year.
The iPhone OS 4 also features improved security and compatibility. The new Mobile Device Management service can be combined with third party servers to wirelessly configure, lock or wipe iPhones. With the new OS, enterprises can host and wirelessly distribute their own in-house created applications to employees. The new Data Protection feature provides the user with passcode as an encryption key to access mail messages and attachments stored on the phone. The OS allows users to set complex passcodes to increase the security level of their mailboxes. Furthermore, IT professionals can use the iPhone OS 4 to set up multiple Exchange ActiveSync account. This software is compatible with Exchange Server 2010 and also includes support for the upcoming SSL VPN applications from Juniper Networks and Cisco.
The iPhone OS 4 beta software SDK has been immediately made available for the iPhone Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. The software can be accessed by iPhone users coming summer.