New features in iPhone OS 4.0

Apple will be launching its new OS for iPhone on Thursday, April 8th, 2010. This is surprising as this news would be taking our eyes off the new buzz in the "i" world, the iPad.

Expected new features in iPhone OS 4.0

Multi Tasking

Oh yes, the most important thing that our dear iPhone lacks is the multi-tasking feature. Some of the core apps has been supporting multi-tasking. For example, one can listen to music while browsing internet or composing mails. But what the heck, I must be able to seamlessly switch between apps and not close an app before opening another one.

It is rumoured that iPhone OS 4.0 will be supporting the multi-tasking feature as in the Mac Expose feature, where a combination of keys, like hitting the Home button twice perhaps, will trigger an Expose-like interface that brings up a series of icons representing the currently running apps, allowing users to choose the app they want to switch to. On clicking the icon, the iPhone OS zooms out of the Expose task manager and transitions to that app.

Mac Expose interface

Flash support ??

As a fan of both flash and iPhone, I hope at least in iPhone 4.0, there is some rudimentary support to flash. Atleast, iPhone 4.0 is hoped to support Flash lite if not the full pledged version of flash.

The chances are meagre since folks at Apple want to believe that flash spoil their "closed nature". Allowing Flash, which is a development platform of its own, would just be too dangerous for Apple, a company that enjoys exerting total dominance over its hardware and the software that runs on it. Apple developers' Terms and conditions prohibits usage of flash since the release of SDK.

No Flash even in iPad (Courtesy: The On Button)

Enhanced use of Camera

It is expected that the usage of the iPhone camera would be enhanced. This is particularly in favor of organizations which would want their executives to be anywhere ready for video conferencing.

Enhanced Syncing with PC/Mac

Its about time that we started syncing our iPhones with the itunes in our PC/Mac via bluetooth and not the wire. Bluetooth syncing will seriously enhance the usability of the iPhone as one would love his/her iPod touch or iPhone to be sitting comfortably in the 3rd party docking station and yet allow them to sync up with the iTunes of the PC and download songs.

It is also rumored that there will be a brand new syncing ability for contacts and calendars.

Dump Google Maps??

It somehow became the public knowledge that in November 2009, Apple was looking for a Full-Time employee who is an expert in Maps program. It is said that Apple wants to take the Maps program to "The next level". We know how successful Apple in changing the paradigm of human machine interaction.

Placebase in action (courtesy : Geeky Gadgets)

This rumor is supported by the fact that Apple acquired a mapping company, Placebase. Placebase, in addition to the features offered by Google maps, would offer features which involves the aggregating of different data sets onto maps. Apple can theoretically take advantage of this feature combining with details aggregated using GPS.

Other Rumors

• Unified inbox for Multiple email accounts
• Ability to place contacts directly in the home screen

Now we all know how secretive Apple is about its releases. We hope Apple includes all these in the new iPhone OS 4.0. This is going to take iPhone close to a complete gadget.