Earlier today, Apple unveiled its new iPhone OS, version 4.0.  The new software will power the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad and adds a variety of new features to the mix.  Chief among these is a form of multitasking, and other “tentpoles” include an Xbox Live replica called “Gaming Center,” enhanced email support, and more:

  • Multitasking on iPhone 3GS
  • User-changeable wallpaper (something jailbroken users have enjoyed for years)
  • Bluetooth keyboard support (from iPad)
  • Spell check (also from iPad)
  • Tap-based autofocus for video (not just photos) on 3GS
  • 5x digital zoom for camera (why?)
  • Enhanced playlist support (on-device playlist creation, nested lists)
  • iBooks (from iPad)
  • App folders (another jailbreak favorite- you can finally sort multiple apps into folders)
  • New mail features (unified inbox for multiple accounts, threaded email, in-app attachment viewing, support for multiple MS Exchange accounts)
  • Enterprise enhancements (remote device management, wireless app distribution)
  • iAd (Apple’s new mobile advertising system, promising more interactive ads than ever before, 60:40 revenue split with Apple)
  • Game Center (Apple’s mobile replica of Xbox Live for iPhone games, including matchmaking, achievements, and leaderboards; will launch sometime later this year (after OS 4 launch))

More details after the break. More >

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