iPhone OS 4.0 revealed with some major enterprise improvements
Apple revealed iPhone OS 4.0 today and most of what they announced was what was expected from them to compete with Google Android, Palm webOS, and Windows Phone 7. Actually, you can now enjoy some of what they announced with a jailbroken iPhone 3GS. The iPhone update 4.0 will be coming this Summer with full support for the iPhone 3GS and limited support for the 3G model and older iPod touch devices. iPad owners will have to wait until the Fall to get their OS 4.0 update. Apple showed off seven different things in the announcement today, but stated there are 100 so there is still much to be revealed in the 93 other new user features.
Here are the seven they detailed:
- Multitasking (jailbroken availability): specifically showed details on background audio, VoIP, background location, local push notifications, task completion, and fast app switching
- Folders (jailbroken availability)
- Unified inbox: Does not look to include SMS/MMS and IM conversations.
- iBooks: At least we can read purchased iPad books on more than just the iPad now.
- Game Center: XBox capability on the iPhone
- iAd: Hate ads, but actually Apple makes them look good. May change the marketplace for mobile.
- Enterprise improvements: Data protection, multi-Exchange accounts, Exchange Server 2010, SSL VPN support, wireless app distribution, and mobile device management were all listed.
Just about every new device at my office has been an iPhone and with these improved enterprise features I am sure our IT department will finally embrace the iPhone publicly.
I followed the Engadget and GDGT coverage and recommend you check out these sites for images and more details on this latest update.
We will obviously see new iPhone hardware released this summer too, but I believe there will be little external change with most of the updates being internal improvements in the processor, battery, and display.