Following iPad tablet, Apple has released its lastest iPhone OS 4.0, over 100 new features was added, including the long-awaited multitasking, to the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Yes, it is an OS from Apple, but the following 4 main features seem to imply something, in a sense, iPhone OS 4.0 is NOT ONLY an Operating System, it should be concerned by Apple’s competitions. At least, Amazon,Google, Microsoft and RIM no pleasure in iPhone OS 4.0.
1. Multitasking
Google and Microsoft no pleasure in Apple iPhone OS 4.0.
iPhone users have been requesting this feature for years. It should be a basic feature, but until the current iPhone OS doesn’t support running more than one application at a time. Now, Apple has been the member of the multitasking party although Jobs acknowledged that Apple was late:
“Now we weren’t the first to this party, but we’re gonna be the best. Just like cut and paste.”
In fact, it gave other especially Google’s Android and Microsoft’s WindowsMobile OS quite a shock. Before Apple OS 4.0 released, Google and Microsoft prided in their multitasking and hurt Apple’s.
In addition, iPhone OS 4.0 added virtually every feature Android currently wields as an advantage, and little else, the following table(*table from tech.icrontic.com) outlines the new features described by Apple in OS 4 presentation, as well as the status of those features in the Android ecosystem.
Feature |
iPhone OS 4.0 |
Android 2.1 |
Tap to focus | ![]() |
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In-app SMS API | ![]() |
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Home screen wallpaper | ![]() |
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5x digital zoom | ![]() |
Varies by phone |
Playlists | ![]() |
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Bluetooth keyboard API | ![]() |
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Data-only settings | ![]() |
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Multitasking | ![]() |
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Picture/video API | ![]() |
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Recent searches | ![]() |
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Alert/SMS font sizes | ![]() |
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Background location API | ![]() |
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Background task completion | ![]() |
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Push notification API | ![]() |
Google services only |
Location notification API | ![]() |
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Suspended background apps | ![]() |
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Desktop folders | ![]() |
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Home screen wallpaper | ![]() |
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Lock screen wallpaper | ![]() |
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Unified inbox | ![]() |
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Multiple Exchange accounts | ![]() |
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On-handset attachment opening | ![]() |
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Threaded emails | ![]() |
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iBooks | ![]() |
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Encrypted email | ![]() |
Possible with API |
Encrypted email attachments | ![]() |
Possible with API |
Centralized device management | ![]() |
Possible with API |
Exchange 2010 support | ![]() |
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SSL VPN | ![]() |
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Administrative app distribution | ![]() |
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Ad infrastructure | ![]() |
Only if the FTC approves the Google/AdMob deal |
Social gaming network | ![]() |
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2. Enhanced email & Enterprise
RIM no pleasure in Apple iPhone OS 4.0.
The new iPhone mailbox features that allow users to merge all of your email accounts into a single inbox, individual messages by thread and the ability to open email attachments in other apps.(you can also see this ZDNet video for more details).
Apple outlined some “great features for the enterprise,” including:
- Even better data protection
- Mobile Device Management
- Wireless app distribution
- Multiple Exchange accounts
- Exchange Server 2010
- SSL VPN support
All of above shows that Apple started to get more interesting for business users—before this, RIM’s BlackBerry has been a dominating firm in this space—according to the quarterly results of RIM: Gross margins at 46 percent, net income up from the year-ago quarter and strong international sales. BlackBerry probably must face a stronger challenge from Apple. Because not only above, Apple also keeps offering customers solutions centered around customer values and everyone else talks about slick hardware and touchscreens, in other words, technology.
3. iBooks
Amazon no pleasure in Apple iPhone OS 4.0.
With the 4.0 Apple updated iPhone the ability to get the iBooks app as well. This app will also come with a free digital copy of "Winnie the Pooh." More importantly, the iBook linked iPhone and iPad—users only need to buy once in any one account, then can read in the two devices.
Some analysts and critics analyzed that Amazon had a few problems to contend with that might be related to pressure from the iPad’s coming iBooks application. Amazon just caved to the demands of major book publishers regarding Amazon e-book pricing, and some analysts believe the online retailer needs to cut the price of its Kindle e-ink devices to compete with the iPad.
4. iAd
Google no pleausure in Apple iPhone OS 4.0.
iAd is aimed squarely at Google’s AdMob and other mobile advertising networks. Other mobile ads take you somewhere else after you click, but iAd advertisements can be interactive while keeping you in the app. Before iAd, Google has been a dominating firm in the advertising space, however, Apple is now aiming at becoming the leader.
Jobs shared that the average iPhone user spends 30 minutes per day using apps. He said,
“If we said we wanted to put an ad up every 3 minutes, that’s 10 ads per device per day. That would be 1 billion ad opportunities per day.”
Some key takeaways from iAd are:
- Emotion + interactivity
- Ads keep you in your app
- Built into iPhone OS
- Apple sells and hosts the ads
- 60% revenues go to the app developer
Then, do you also think Apple iPhone OS 4.0 is ONLY an Operating System now?
Great write up. The iPhone is truly amazing and I don’t like being without it. This time last year I had jumped in a pool with my iPhone and it was dead. I had to wait 9 days before I was able to buya new one. The phone I had was a cheap go phone. I really love all the apps that can be downloaded to the iPhone. The best part about the iPhone to me is the ability to check emails on the go. Thanks for the information.
It is nice to see that iOS is not that far behind Android.