What's Expected at Apple iPhone 4.0 Event
As you may already know, Apple is holding a special event on Thursday to announce details for the iPhone 4.0 OS for iPhone. If you haven't, you should probably click the link I snuck into that previous sentence. Well in this article, I'd like to discuss what's expected to be in iPhone OS 4.0. Of course, Apple always has a few tricks up its sleeves that no one ever predicts, but the public is usually fairly good at digging into these things.
So, we will use a five star system for each candidate. Five stars means its most likely to show up at the event, with one star meaning its unlikely.
Multitasking - ★★★★★
Well duh! This is has been on iPhone users' wish lists since day one back in 2007. AppleInsider even gave some details as to how multitasking would work on the iPhone. This year, because of rising competition, its highly expected Apple will debut a multitasking solution.iPad Features (Background Customization & Rotation Lock) - ★★★★
I think since the iPad had them in OS 3.2, iPhone will probably be getting the ability to but a background behind apps and maybe even a rotation lock. The only problem with that is iPad has a physical switch for that lock. So maybe in the next-gen iPhone? (Which by the way we won't be seeing on Thursday, this is strictly firmware)
Universal Mail App - ★★★★
Steve Jobs apparently said himself that iPhone would soon get a universal mail application for organizing more than one mail account and other purposes. The question remains if he meant it would be in OS 4. There's a good chance, though.
Home Screen Contacts - ★★★
This was speculated earlier this year and late last year--the ability to add contacts to your home screen. Windows Phone 7 does have this, let's see if Apple adds it. It's a pretty subtle feature for most, but can be productive.
Location Sharing Features & iGroups - ★★★
Apple filed a patent for both of these things. First is iGroups, which is possibly a new app that leans more toward social networking on the iPhone with other iPhone users, along with possible integration with Facebook and Twitter. Second was quick and easy location sharing with others, which may be built into this iGroups app.
Turn-by-Turn GPS - ★★
While this has always been wanted, I don't see it as completely likely this year, but not completely unlikely. I was tihnking maybe in OS 5 or maybe a later version of OS 4. Unless they are really competing with Google, there are already some GPS apps in the app store. I could be completely wrong about this though.
Adobe Flash Support - ★
Yeah, this is not coming. Sorry folks. Apple had the ultimate chance to add support for Flash in the iPad's web browser and they chose not to because Apple seems to be really dependent on HTML5 technologies taking over the web as soon as possible. So, it's extremely unlikely it won't be in the next OS version for iPhone.
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