05.09
Well it looks like Apple has finally got their head out of the clouds of self righteousness and decided to give us what we’ve been screaming for since the iPhone was first released. The ability to multitask is finally coming, in a round about way, that is, but from the sounds of it, it should work. Part of the tackle with the iPhone and multitasking, was trying to find a way to switch between apps easily. What they’ve decided is the ability to double click the home button, which will bring up recent apps you’ve had open, which you can then select. This will allow the app you just left to go into a state of suspension. This suspension will allow you to return to the app where you left off. I imagine this was done to limit the load on the phones processor and save on battery life. I give Apple credit on this, I think this was a very smart move.
They are also offering true multitasking for apps such as Pandora and Skype, using background audio and VOIP services that give apps the ability to play audio and use VOIP in the background. This gives a user the ability to run Pandora, while searching the web, reading the news, viewing maps, etc. The VOIP is important because that gives the ability to receive calls and Skype messages while using other apps as well. These are two big improvements in 4.0 and the Skype will come in very handy for me for sure.
Another feature being added because of this background processing is the ability to keep the GPS receiver active, so it can track your location at all times. Can you say (Big Brother)… This is a bit scary to me, but I think you have the ability to turn it off, otherwise I’m sure people would go nuts on the privacy issue. This will be useful when using the Maps, which will allow the map to open to the exact location you’re already at so you don’t have to wait when you select the locate icon.
One more cool new feature is Task Completion. This allows an app to continue with a task you’ve been working on in the background, giving you the ability of switching to a new task or app. or opening a push message that comes up. Before you would lose what you were working on in another app when you switched to a new one or responded to a push a notification.
Now, my favorite new feature, Taa Daa, Spell Checking, that’s right, they’re finally implementing spell checking, woohoo. This is great news for people like me, who for some odd reason, still have trouble spelling certain words, even though I received high marks in English haha..
and lastly, the ability to Gift an app to a friend. This is a cool new feature which should have been thought of and added in the beginning. Imagine how many people would have purchased apps for their friends or family already. Apple left money on the table with this one, but they finally got it in 4.0. I’d be curious to see the numbers on app purchases for friends along with total purchases. Apple share holders should be happy about this new feature, because it only means more revenue.
Well these are just some of the important new features coming in 4.0, but I think I listed the ones that mean the most to most of us. Chime in and tell me what you think? If you would like to watch the full Keynote speech, here’s the link.