Rumor: iPhone OS 4.0 Features Multitasking, System-Wide Multitouch, New Syncing

The iPhone OS 4.0 will feature multitasking (the ability to run apps in the background), multitouch gestures system-wide, and several changes to the UI, according to Boy Genius Report, citing “one of our trusty Apple connects.”

According to BGR, the update to the iPhone OS, which may come as soon as the special Apple next Wednesday, will include:

There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
“A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.
Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

Half of this is pretty vague, but the UI changes to make the OS “easier and more efficient,” ring true. One of the biggest complaints against Google’s Android is the occasionally kludgy interface. Version 4.0 of the iPhone OS is a major milestone — and it sounds like it’ll be miles ahead of anything else out there.

DON'T MISS
Quickly Add Missing Contact Info To Your Address Book By Syncing Contacts With Facebook [iOS Tip]

4 comments »

About the author

Leander Kahney is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

(sorry, you need Javascript to see this e-mail address)| Read more posts by Leander Kahney.

Posted in Apple, iPhone, News, Rumors |

http://www.albertkinng.com albertkinng
I don’t get too exited about all of this. I was very disappointed the day they introduced the Macbook Air, the rumors were so upscale that I was waiting for something really big. let’s face it, the MB AIr it’s not a success. If your source is trustable I guess it will just be a new iPhone OS with a lots of GUI eye candy and little bit slower, a brand new iLife app that will be like Pixelmator just to piss more Adobe and a brand new selection of colorful iPhones. That’s it. I don’t think Apple will launch a Tablet, maybe iPhone will include Tablet functionality that’s all.
pointyfingers
Wow, way to kill the buzz albertkinng. I guess you’ve got a point though. Expect nothing.
http://www.toxicspark.com Andrew Macdonald
There is just too many sources, leaks, insiders blah blah for there not to be a tablet next week Albertkinng.
I know you can never trust unnamed sources, but when you get to a point when there are 20 / 30 different sources all some of whom have a history of being right with their leaks, there is just too much evidence for there NOT to be a tablet.
I think there will defo be a tablet next week, it probably wont go on sale for six months, and im also expecting the iPhone OS update. But as is always the case with Steve Jobs and Apple, they have normally got a few tricks up their sleeves so who knows what is coming. I would certainly have my money on a tablet for sure.
Mattzook
@albertkinng
Apple themselves just (1 day ago) announced: “See our latest creation!” So that is coming directly from Apple, implies that they do have some new device to show.
When Apple says “Come see our latest creation!” that probably means that some new device will be unveiled, rather than Apple just wasting time announcing some software updates. What exactly will that device look like, or what its features will be…. everything is speculation at this point.
Myself, I am hoping for the best, as I believe in Apple being one of the few companies to introduce revolutionary products that just forces us all to Think Different. But I am also prepared to be disappointed just a little bit, because all these rumors have blown things into the stratosphere. How can Apple meet such lofty expectations? Since I am slightly lowering my expectations, that is a healthy attitude in the long run…. so that I won’t be sorely disappointed with whatever they come up with. After all, I want Apple to succeed for many more years to come.