Apple To Reveal Features In iPhone 4.0 Update
Multi-tasking, or the ability to run more than one third party application simultaneously, is believed to be part of iPhone 4.0. iPhone users have clamored for this feature for months, and it will also be an important feature for iPad users. Currently, the iPhone only supports multi-tasking with the Apple apps that come with the device.
Multi-tasking would add a missing feature from the iPhone that competitors like Palm, Motorola and Google already support. However, battery life has been a problem with other devices that multi-task, so this is something Apple has had to take into account.
Another possible addition in iPhone is a mobile advertising platform stemming from Apple's January acquisition Quattro Wireless. Apple was reportedly eyeing AdMob last year before Google snapped up the mobile advertising firm for $750 million, and Apple's entry to the market through its Quattro deal will put the former allies into direct competition.
TheWeek.com says the newest iPhone may unveil a more unified e-mail inbox option instead of locking different accounts into separate inboxes, as it does currently. The blog also predicts integrated GPS navigation stemming from Apple's acquisition of mapping company Placebase in 2009.
Other rumored iPhone 4.0 features include wireless synching for iTunes, better application management for rearranging applications on the home screen, and support for a second camera.
Apple's last iPhone update came last March when it added cut, copy and paste in its iPhone 3.0 update. But while the forthcoming update has iPhone users' interest, Mark Greenblatt, president of Los Angeles-based Apple reseller MacEnthusiasts says its what's inside the device that matters most.
"The iPhone 4.0 update won't sell more iPhones. What will is the inclusion of CDMA technology that would allow the iPhone to run on Verizon's network," he said.