Apple to Unveil iPhone OS 4 on April 8th
The iPad runs iPhone OS 3.2, but its changes are so far limited to the iPad. For a look into the future of the iPhone OS, Apple has invited members of the media to the Apple campus in Cupertino on 8 April 2010. Our invitation says only, “Join us at an invitation-only event for a sneak peek of the next generation of iPhone OS software.”
There has been much speculation that Apple will start to allow some forms of multitasking in iPhone OS 4 (for more on that, see my article “Does the iPhone OS Need Multitasking?” 8 February 2010). What other changes would you like to see in the iPhone OS itself? Let us know in the comments!
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Please, don't beat around the bush. Tell us what you really think.
Getting files to/from the iPhone is tedious as heck. I want the ability (like the iPad) to easily transfer files back'n'forth--but more flexible. If I have more than one program that reads PDFs, I should be able to either transfer them to one specific app, or make them available to all apps that can handle that type of file, as I choose. Barring that, let the files be available to all apps that handle that file type; definitely do NOT lock us into "all .pdf files belong to one app" lunacy.
I couldn't care less about multitasking, and I fear it'll just make the OS drag.
Then don't multitask. :-)
I believe that this is already true for iPhone OS 3.2 on the iPad to a certain extent - you can transfer files to apps that can accept them in the Apps tab (scroll down). So hopefully we'll see this extending to the iPhone and iPod touch as well.
And as far as multiple apps supporting the same file type, I believe that's there too, in much the same way it is in Snow Leopard (apps register what they can open, and files with specific extensions are matched against that list of apps).
The single biggest issue for me by far is finding my way around all the apps I have installed. Springboard needs some big-time rethinking, and I'm sure this will be even more obvious on the iPad.
Multitasking is generally overhyped, misunderstood, and not a priority for me.
I'd like to see a less expensive data fee, so us common folk can afford to have an iPhone
Alas, that's unrelated to the iPhone OS...
Good suggestion - I know I have an excessive number of apps because of what I do, but heck, I don't even know what some of them are any more and there's no good way to organize them.
Graffiti-style text input with stylus.
I can see use for that on the iPad and I imagine we'll see apps doing it, but would it make sense on the small screen devices?
All I want is the phone to switch on when an alarm goes off. That way I could preserve my battery and be unreachable when I'm away from a power source rather than using Airplane mode, as I do now.
I would like my phone to sync with the time from my Mac along with every thing else it does. Pre-emptive tasking works for me thanks. I like long battery life :-)
What's important about syncing with the Mac's time? In theory, your Mac should be setting its time from Apple's time servers over the Internet, and the iPhone should be setting its time from the cell network (which should be equivalently accurate).
Wireless background syncing with iTunes. I've seen the same complaint in almost every iPad review: you get this shiny new device and then it just sits there inop for an hour while you sync with iTunes. Where's the "magic" in that?
Will the iPhone update to 4.0 be a freebie?
We won't know until Apple reveals more details. So far the iPhone OS updates have been free (except for small charges to iPod touch owners for accounting reasons; we've written extensively about it). But it also wouldn't surprise me if Apple charges an upgrade fee because they're making the jump to a full version number.
My gut says it would be free, because that keeps the majority of iPhone and iPod touch owners on the latest system, especially if there are dramatic architectural changes. And perhaps original iPhones can't be upgraded.
We'll see.