iOS 4 Is Here: 100+ Features Are Worth the Wait!

ByMike Moffit

Apple released iOS 4 today, and with that, over 100 new features. With the release of the iPhone 4 only days away, most of us are prepping our current phones to see what’s in store!

To download iOS 4, follow these steps (or see image below):

  1. Connect your iPhone (3G/3GS or gasp—iPhone 4!).
  2. When iTunes opens, make sure you are using the latest version (iTunes 9.2). If not, get it here.
  3. Select your iPhone under Devices in the Source list.
  4. In the iPhone Summary pane, click, Check for Update.
  5. Click Download and Install.

Be aware that this may take a very l-o-n-g time… some users are reporting that it takes over an hour for their phones to sync once downloaded. Do not disconnect your iPhone until the update has finished.

Here’s a recap of what you’ll see in the latest version of Apple’s mobile OS:

Multitasking
Now you can run your favorite third-party app—and switch between them instantly—without slowing down the performance of the foreground app or draining the battery unnecessarily.

Folders
Organize apps into folders with drag-and-drop simplicity. Get faster access to your favorites and browse and manage up to 2160 apps.

Even better Mail
See messages from all your accounts in a unified inbox, organize messages by threads, open attachments in third-party apps, and more.

iBooks
More than a great ebook reader, iBooks is also an amazing place to browse and shop for books, day or night.

Create playlists
Create custom playlists right on your iPhone.

5x digital zoom
Get closer to your subjects by zooming in up to 5x.

Tap to focus video
While shooting video, tap the display to choose where to focus.

Faces and Places in Photos
View photos based on who’s in them and where they were taken.

Home screen wallpaper
Change the background wallpaper on your Home screen.

Gift apps
Send apps as gifts to your friends or family.

Spell checking
A built-in dictionary automatically suggests words and corrects spelling. It works in Mail, Notes, and other apps.

Wireless keyboard support
Pair a keyboard based on Bluetooth wireless technology with your iPhone.

We’ll be writing more about the features shortly, once we’ve had a chance to play! Good luck!

*An important compatibility note: iOS 4 works with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G. Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.

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