Apple announces iPhone 4.0, beta today, iPhone/iPod touch in summer, iPad in fall

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Apple has announced iPhone 4.0, available for developers in beta form starting today and arriving for iPhone and iPod touch users sometime this summer, and iPad users in the fall. Highlights of the latest version of the mobile OS that powers the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad include the following 7 "tentpoles":

  1. Multitasking (iPhone 3GS/iPod touch G3 only)
  2. Folders with intelligent naming
  3. Mail with unified inbox, multiple Exchange accounts, threaded messages
  4. iBooks for iPhone
  5. Increased Enterprise support in iPhone 4.0
  6. Game Center social network
  7. iAd mobile advertising platform

iPhone 4.0 will also bring iPhone 3.2 (iPad) features like spell checking, Bluetooth keyboard support, Home Screen wallpaper, a 5x digital zoom (and tap to focus for video), as well as 1500 new API for developers (like -- finally! -- calendar access!)

How's that list looking to you?

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.