Apple just announced the future of iPhone. Here's what to expect from iPhone v4.0 operating system due out this summer:
- Multitasking (3GS only) - Active apps can be seen and accessed by tapping the Home button to bring up a popup window at the bottom of the screen. Local push notifications can be generated by apps to let you know, say, when a background upload completes. Multitasking is limited to streaming audio, voice over IP, GPS location services, task completion, notifications and fast app switching.
- Game Center - Multiplayer with social networking, leaderboards and achievements - basically, Xbox Live for iPhone. Bye bye Open Feint and Plus+.
- Folders - No longer will apps that exceed the iPhone 11-page limit need to be pushed out to invisible screens you can only access in iTunes. With this comes news that the app limit will be bumped to 2160.
- iBooks - Ebook reader from the iPad will cross over complete with page sync and bookmarks.
- Wallpaper - Decorate your home screen.
- 5x Digital Zoom - No longer requires a third-party app like Camera Zoom.
- Mail improvements - Threaded discussions, faster account switching and support for multiple Exchange accounts.
- Gift apps - Sounds like you'll be able to buy apps for friends with iPhones more directly instead of just buying codes (as iTunes now supports) or generic gift cards. (Couldn't find much detail on this one.)
The iPad already has a couple of these features, like iBooks and wallpaper, but the balance won't release until fall...
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