Expectations are over as the iPhone OS 4.0 preview event has finished. Apple has announced iPhone OS 4.0 is available for developers today and will be release for customers this summer. To download the iPhone SDK 4 beta, iPhone Developer Program members can visit the iPhone Dev Center.
Apple announced several features at media event which make easier to manage emails and interact with apps. Multitasking feature has seven new multitasking services that allow apps to perform tasks. iPhone OS 4.0 have separate folders for apps that we can browse quickly and manage up to 2160 apps. Unified inbox allows organizing messages from all email accounts. iBooks is also there to browse, buy and read books before you buy.
It offers developers over 1500 new APIs to create apps for release. Apple announces that SDK 4 provides new APIs to make their apps more powerful and more feature-rich than before and also use Gamekit APIs to develop Game Center. IAd feature allows full-screen video and ad content, and then users can get back to their app at anytime.
Highlights of the iPhone OS 4.0 includes Multitasking, iAd, Game Center, New APIs, New Tools and Compatibility. The seven multitasking APIs are available to developers which includes Background audio, Voice over IP, Background location, Push and Local notifications, Task finishing and Fast app switching. New APIs are Calendar Access, In-App SMS, Photo Library Access, Video playback & Capture, Map Kit Improvements and Quick Look. It has new tools that automate the application to test using new UIAutomation Instrument.
iPhone OS 4.0 is compatible with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Mobile devices like iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch will not support multitasking.
