News Analysis: Apple has released iOS 4, featuring multitasking, folder support and much more. But before users download the software, there are some things they need to keep in mind.
Apple
has officially launched iOS 4 to iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S owners. The
software will also be available on the iPhone 4 when it launches on June 24. The
mobile OS hasn't been out for very long, so most customers might not have had
the chance to download it. But since it's free, it's likely that the vast
majority of iPhone owners (and, eventually, iPad owners) will be downloading
the software to their devices.
But
before that happens, there are some things that users should know about iOS 4.
Yes, it might be the most advanced and capable mobile operating system Apple
has ever released, but it also comes with some quirks and considerations that
every iPhone owner should know about before they download it to their mobile
devices.
1. There could be battery issues
With any release of a new mobile operating system, battery issues
are a concern. Apple claims that the new version of its operating system should
improve iPhone battery life somewhat. But whether or not that happens remains
to be seen. A major issue with multitasking, arguably
the
most important addition in iOS 4, is that it has a negative effect on
battery life. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that
Apple's multitasking will not. Those who are concerned about their iPhone
battery life should wait and see what other iOS 4 users are reporting. If it's
bad news, they should stick with their current software.
2. Jailbroken phones won't stay that way
Each time users download a new version of Apple's mobile software,
it removes jailbroken software. Realizing that, those who have jailbroken their
iOS installations will want to stay far away from iOS 4. Not only does Apple
disapprove of jailbreaking the iPhone, the company also makes it harder and
harder in each new version of the software to break free. Those who desire more
control over their iPhones would be smart to stay away from iOS 4.
3. App considerations
Some folks use mobile applications sparingly. Others try to
download as many apps as they can. Realizing that, it's important for every
iPhone owner to determine which group they fit into. Since Apple only recently
sent the new SDK to developers,
some
apps haven't been updated to support iOS 4 just yet. So, before users
download the new software, they should check the iTunes listings for their
favorite apps. If they work with iOS 4, great. If not, they should stick with a
previous version of the software until the developers get around to updating
their apps.
4. Mail will be different
In iOS 4, e-mail will be a far more useful application. After
downloading the software, users can create a unified in-box to tie in all of
their different e-mail accounts into a single pane to quickly view their latest
messages. They can also delete an entire e-mail conversation at once, rather
than sift through messages and delete those they don't want one by one. The app
will even allow users to open attachments in third-party applications. That
feature should especially benefit those who use office apps like Documents to
Go.
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