Buzzword Chasers

Apple’s Never-Ending Releases: New iPhone, New Software, New Apps

In the technological world, it isn’t difficult to recognize Apple’s dominance. On June 21st, just two days before the highly anticipated release of the new iPhone 4, Apple launched a new series of improved software.

The updated software, known as iOS 4, boasts more than 100 new features and is available to owners of older iPhones and iPod Touch appliances, which may be rendered archaic with Apple’s release of ever-improving gadgets. But if all the new perks were available to owners of the older model, what would be the appeal of the iPhone 4? In Part I of this blog series, we will examine the iPhone 4’s new features and their compatibility with older models.

Giving New Meaning to Multi-tasking

Unfortunately for users of older models, “multi-tasking,” arguably the iOS 4’s most important feature, won’t function on the iPhone 3G or second generation iPod Touch devices. These users won’t be able to run applications in the background while simultaneously using different apps in the foreground-multi-tasking’s claim to fame.

“The iOS 4’s most important feature won’t function on the iPhone 3G or second generation iPod Touch devices.”

For those operating the newer devices, taking advantage of multi-tasking means first updating their current apps, which will create a task menu at the bottom of the screen. By double-tapping the “Home” button, iPhone users will be able to access all their new apps via this task menu.

Similar to switching from window to window on a computer, iPhone 4 users will be able to jump from one application to another-listening to music via the popular Pandora application while simultaneously playing games, messaging friends or answering e-mails. Equally convenient will be the ability to run a GPS app without the fear of interruption by a phone call.

Folders, Folders and More Folders

Before the introduction of the iOS 4 software, it was difficult for app-lovers to keep track of their hundreds-even thousands-of programs. Users with a penchant for the 200,000 applications Apple now offers can download and store up to 2,160 of them into different folders on their iPhones.

iPhone users can now download and store in folders up to 2,160 different apps.

An additional organizational tool the new software delivers is a unified mailbox, allowing users to manage multiple e-mail accounts from the same location. The introduction of the threaded e-mail feature, as Gmail users know, displays e-mails as a conversation instead of separate messages.

“FaceTime” Video Calls Bring Users Face to Face

Among the many new iPhone and iOS 4 features, the “FaceTime” application stands out, allowing users to make video calls to one another, and even better, to enjoy this communication for free. Unlike standard phone calls, video calls through FaceTime don’t count toward users’ allotted minutes.

Sound too good to be true? It is, for users who don’t plan to upgrade to the iPhone 4, since it is the only device on which the application runs. In other words, even if one caller owns an iPhone 4, he/she won’t be able to initiate a video call unless the second user also owns the latest iPhone.

Another potential problem with FaceTime is that it’s currently a Wi-Fi only application. However, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced that this is temporary, and that the application will be ready for use over cellular networks after this year.

For more information on the iPhone 4, its new software and new apps, check back soon for Part II of our iPhone 4 review.