iPhone OS 4, Multitasking and iAds
On April 8th Apple unveiled the developer beta version of iPhone OS 4, the software update that will be available for iPhone and iPod Touch in the summer, and in fall for the iPad.
Third party multitasking is probably the most awaited feature by iPhone owners. Apple has developed 7 APIs that will make the OS handle background processes, while making app switching fast and battery efficient.
Music streaming apps, VoIP calls and chats, GPS will be running while the user is performing other tasks, but these features will work only on iPhone 3GS and the 3rd gen iPoud Touch devices. iPhone OS 4 hardware compatibility issues could make iPhone 3G owners consider the purchase of the rumored iPhone HD that could be released after the summer.
iBooks will be available from the iBookstore, making iPhone the ultimate mobile haiku poem reader. The unified inbox is another important feature that will let you check multiple email accounts in one screen, but for many iPhone users and app developers the game changer is the introduction of Folders, that will allow app organisation and clear categorisation, lifting the 180 app limit.
Speaking of games, iPhone OS 4 introduces a social gaming platform called Game Center, similar to the one used by Xbox Live. Challenging other gamers and communicating with friends will add a social layer to Apple’s handheld gaming and will open new opportunities for game developers.
Enterprise integration will benefit from improved data protection, SSL VPN support, Exchange Server 2010 compatibility and wireless app distribution.
iAds takes mobile advertising to a new level
Apple announced also iAds, a new advertising platform for mobile ads that will allow developers to insert advertisements in free apps and keep a 60% revenue share. Ads will be integrated in apps (no browser windows will be opened) and pre-approved by Apple, to ensure that they will be as “emotional” as those seen on tv.
If iPhone OS 4 can guarantee high-quality, immersive advertising on its mobile platform, iAds could potentially unlock an enormous revenue source for Apple.
Surprisingly enough, iPhone OS 4 didn’t introduce its own social networking app to aggregate feeds from all different social networks and update them from one single app, but this could be one of the features of next year’s update.
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