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iPhone OS 4.0 Brings Multitasking, Ad Framework For Apps
Low Ranked Craig writes "Apple had an event today to show off the next major update to the iPhone OS. iPhone OS 4.0 should arrive this summer (presumably with a new iPhone) for iPhone and iPod Touch, and in the fall for the iPad. According to Apple the update has more than 1,500 new APIs and 100 new features including the sorely missed multitasking. Other highlights include unified inbox, improved security, support for multiple Exchange accounts, application folders, iBooks, and iAd, an advertising framework for developers to put ads in their applications. The official word from Steve on Flash and Java remains a simple 'No.'" Updated 20100408 22:09 GMT by timothy: Read on for more information, including some bad news if you want to program for the iPhone in C# or Flash CS5.
alphadogg points out some what he calls surprise capabilities targeted at enterprise users and IT departments, including e-mail encryption and "mobile device management."
And CWmike adds more infomation at MacWorld about iAd, which he considers the biggest news in today’s announcement, writing that one way to look at the new advertising hooks "is that Apple can now leverage the App Store/iTunes ‘ecosystem’ lock-in in effect, and deliver to advertisers a huge captive audience."
Finally, binarylarry writes with a look from Daring Fireball at the new user agreement that goes along with 4.0: "Looks like Adobe's release of CS5 with the Flash-to-native compiler has been nixed by Apple's new user agreement: '3.3.1 — Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs.'"
And CWmike adds more infomation at MacWorld about iAd, which he considers the biggest news in today’s announcement, writing that one way to look at the new advertising hooks "is that Apple can now leverage the App Store/iTunes ‘ecosystem’ lock-in in effect, and deliver to advertisers a huge captive audience."
Finally, binarylarry writes with a look from Daring Fireball at the new user agreement that goes along with 4.0: "Looks like Adobe's release of CS5 with the Flash-to-native compiler has been nixed by Apple's new user agreement: '3.3.1 — Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs.'"
But with better hardware and software, and usability that doesn't suck shit.
I realize that a lot of slashdotters think that simple, aesthetically pleasing, reliable functionality isn't important, but you're very much in the minority. The iPhone already works far better at what it does than any android handset, and that's largely because Apple tends to start with a small feature set that's well implemented; and then once it's solid, build on the experience.
Cut and paste is a good example. People laughed that the iPhone couldn't do it when it first came out. Then it got added, and the implementation is the best mobile cut and paste implementation available. They didn't want to do it till they could do it well. (A lesson, by the way, that Microsoft appears to have learned with WinMo 7; they've said they're not doing cut and paste immediately cause they can't do it well - yet).
And I'll guarantee that their multitasking implementation will be the best too. You won't need one of those apps that are popular on Android to kill off the background processes, cause Apple's implementation won't be careless and lazy the way Android's is.
Again, you may not like Apple's strategy and prefer features above all, and people do have their own tastes, so to each his own. But you're in the minority once you get outside your coterie of techies.
Not everybody wants a SSH console on their mobile phone.
Only on slashdot is android considered a threat to apple. Android runs on tons of phones on multiple carriers, compared to 1 iPhone on 1 carrier, and apple is still leaps and bounds ahead in devices sold. Not to mention how the iPhone os is so much better than android. Android isn't even as good as iPhone os 1.0. Sure it has some features that iPhone 1.0 didn't have, but in the typical google fashion it is half-baked, clunky, and buggy. In the real world it is android who is desparately trying to copy apple, and failing miserably. But continue living in fantasy land.
What a stupid comment. There is way better in the app store than fart apps and crayon physics games. The Apple-haters are out in full force on Slashdot today.
Well, now that the Apple iPhone To Get Same Features As Windows 3.0 20 Years Ago, maybe it's time to switch to a system that is truly both free and libre ... just use any Window Manager other than GNOME.
No wonder Apple killed the "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads ... nothing left to steal from each other (just JOKING ... kind of ... :-)
Which doesn't address the poster point.
how bandwidth intensive will the ads be allowed to be?
My recommendation to everyone is not to use the ad support apps. In my experiences they end up being problematic.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Exactly what I'm thinking. You'll have to pay >$3000 if you want to do what you want with your own system.
And you're an idiot. This is not going to happen. Period. End of story. Full stop.
Repeat: You are an idiot.
So making it easier for developers to put ads into their apps is going to make less apps with ads in them? Really? What Apple is doing is clear as day: Developer makes a paid ad-free app and Apple gets a cut of the sale. Developer also makes free ad-supported app and Apple gets nothing while a cut of the ad revenue is going to some other online ad company. Apple bakes their own system in the OS since they can stamp out the competition and drink the other ad company's milkshake. Underhanded capitalism wins.
What variety? Apple sells all the same shiny expensive stuff in different areas, but there is little actual variety. Unless you can point me to a sub $1000 Mac gaming laptop.
Even the Mac Book Pros are sub par gaming systems. I'm just saying, don't claim variety if they can't even deliver a good system that fits a whole sub-market.
A reader comments:
Don't hold your breath on that one. James Taranto adds:
Why are the Democrats determined to ration health care? Because, having sold endless health care at someone else's expense as an "entitlement," government at all levels is going broke. The Democrats need rationing to free up government funds for the social programs they yearn to implement, but can't afford. Your mother's hip replacement is standing in their way, so she has to go. That, in a nutshell, is what Obamacare is all about.
One doesn't have to be a fan-boi to be an Apple Hater.
But being a moron helps.
Lars T.
To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck
This is Apple's store. You are Apple's bitch.
And the thing that I'm getting about all of this is that a lot of developers have truly woken up to this fact over this issue. They've realised that you can't just look at the app store and say "as long as I don't do x or y that I'll be OK". Apple can simply change the rules and screw your whole business.
It's like when some countries in Africa used to nationalise land or businesses. In effect, people's property got stolen by the government. The result? Well, no-one started any businesses because the risk of it getting stolen was factored in and people didn't put their money there.