iPhone OS 4.0 Feature List

Published on the 7th of April 2010

Tomorrow Apple will announce and demo it's upcoming version of the iPhone OS. As a iPhone developer I'm obligated to keep a keen eye out for any new features and API improvements. And for that matter I'll also take a shot at guessing what will be new in 4.0.

My guess is the 4.0 version will introduce the following new features:

  • Limited third party multitasking. Multitasking, with some sort of restriction. UI wise it will have an appearance like Expose in Mac OSX.

  • Higher resolution support (4x the number of pixels). Of course with backwards capabilities for lower resolution iPhone apps, like the iPad has (minus the 2x button).

  • Springboard wallpapers. Like the iPad.

  • Improved 'lock screen' with missed calls / unread email indicators etc. They simply must have enhanced the lock screen... I would seriously be disappointed if they didn't enhance this!

  • Paid updates. Just a hunch, but I think Apple will introduce a model for developers to create 'non-free updates' for their apps.

  • iAds. Or whatever it's going to be called. I think Apple is going to demo an API that allows developers to easily integrate advertisements into their apps (interface designer support and everything)

  • File storage API. Some sort of system wide file storage capability.

  • Games. Demos of Unreal Tournament and some other big titles.

  • New developer API's. Over x number of new API's for developers. Love this one... (better gesture support, improved push notifications API etc.)

  • Verizon version. Nice for any Yanks with bad AT&T coverage.

  • Enhanced Bluetooth support. Support for Bluetooth keyboard, trickled down from the iPad.

What I don't think will be there.

  • Video conferencing. Although this is a feature I would really like to see, I don't think it will be in. Why not? The iPad doesn't have it... Knowing Apple they might consider that such a feature would 'underwhelm' the iPad...

  • Flash support. Simply isn't going to happen.

  • Codecs support. Nope. WMV, Dvix won't be playable.

  • Printer support. Printing would require another service, which is equal to more CPU cycles, which is equal to more power drainage.. I think we'll have to wait for a next version..

  • RFID. A lot of talk regarding RFID support, but probably ain't gonna happen (underrated feature?).

  • Social integration API's. Would be nice to easily integrate Twitter, Facebook etc. using the native API. But probably won't be in..

Apart from the above list, I think the update will be 3GS and '4G' only. iPhone 2g, 3g and iPad owners will be out of luck.