iPhone OS 4.0 – Apple’s Biggest Release of 2010

Far more important than the recent release of the iPad, will be the release of iPhone OS 4.0, the OS for all Apple tablet-style devices.  Since this will be a significant upgrade to Apple’s fastest growing business segments, this is the most important product release of the year.    It will be the biggest opportunity to curtail new competition from the likes of Microsoft and Nokia, and existing competiton from Google and RIM.  It needs to fill key functionality gaps(multi-tasking) while continuing to provide the unrivaled platform consistency that has made the iPhone a developer’s paradise.  To some degree, a splintered platform is inevitable due to evolving hardware, but so far, the iPhone has enjoyed unparalleled backward compatibility.  Due to competitive pressure, this OS release will need to make a bigger leap than in previous years and it will need to be spectacular.  Here’s what will likely be announced on Thursday April 8, 2010, in order of decending probability:

1. 3rd-Party Software Multitasking
   • Possibly for iPhone 3GS or newer
     1. Processor and memory limit legacy hardware
   • Expect Mac-like Task Switching(ala Expose’)
2. Greater Customization of App Launcher(Springboard)
   • Widgets
   • Wallpaper Support(as seen on iPad)
   • Desktop Motif Unlikely
3. Discrete Notifications
   • Notify without disturbing current activities/application
4. Video Conferencing Support
   • New hardware and network bandwidth make this viable now
5. HD Video Recording Support
   • 2010 iPhone & iPod hardware will utilize this facility
6. Support for higher resolution displays
   • 960×640 is likely the new display standard for iPhones/iPod Touches
7. CDMA Protocol Support
   • LTE Network is taking too long; CDMA stop-gap necessary
     1. Verizon seen as benefactor
   • Largely seen as defensive against Android Platform Penetration
8. PIM Application Refinements
   • Unified Inbox
   • Possible Elimination of YouTube App
     1. YouTube now HTML5 enabled
   • iPad-like upgrades may be in pipeline
   • Expect SMS and all Email in one view
9. Legacy Hardware will not support most new features
   • Potential for big upgrade cycle for new features
10. Integrated Wireless Printing Support
11. Expanded use of Voice Commands
12. WiFi Syncing with iTunes
13. File Sharing Between Local Applications
14. RF Payment Processing Support

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