Firmware 4.0 – The Basics

##ICON_NAME## Today, Apple announced firmware 4.0. The new firmware contains 100 new user features. Some of these new features include; the ability to create playlists, 5x digital zoom, tap to focus on video, gift apps, geotagging, places in the photo app, change the homescreen wallpaper, bluetooth keyboards, spell checker… etc. If those were not cool enough, the seven major new features include; multitasking, folders, enhanced mail, iBooks, enterprise, Game Center, and iAd (read more about those HERE).

4.0newfeatures

For those of you who are developers, 4.0 also includes “over 1500 new APIs in OS 4. Devs can access the calendar, photo library, quicklook…” as well as a new framework called Accelerate which is said to be “hardware accelerated math functions.”

The firmware is scheduled to be released for the iPhone and iPod touch this summer. It will be released for the iPad this fall. A dev preview is being released today.

The Catch:
iPhone 3GS and 2nd gen iPod touch owners will be able to utilize every aspect of the new 4.0 firmware however, iPhone 3G and 2nd gen iPod touch owners will be restricted. They will not be able run things like multitasking… etc.

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Comments

  1. Will 2g iPhones even get the option to update to 4.0? I see 3g mentioned several times, but the 2g is never referenced. I wanna know if my phone can upgrade, even if it is to only recieve some of the updates!

  2. You’re right, they didn’t mention the 2g iPhone which I’m guessing is not a good sign, :(

  3. YAY! Screw us the iPod Touch 1G users!!! We bought it with higher price and less hardware! Awesome! Thanks apple! Oh and don’t forget to make us PAY for the update! Otherwise it will not be so cool!

  4. Well I expected that Apple would have phased out support for the iPhone 2G & iPod touch 1G. Its the unfortunate cycle of (technology) life.

  5. The 3G will be able to receive the 4.0 update, but it will not be able to use the multitasking function.

  6. That’s nice what about a new phone or at least more space or is that for next year?!?

    • Apple has historically announced new iPhone models in June. Today was primarily to preview the updated OS. Given that developers have already discovered references to camera flash and iChat in the 4.0 beta, I think it is safe to say a new iPhone is just around the corner!