As you may have heard, Apple will be removing the wraps on its next generation iPhone OS tomorrow. We are also hearing that Apple might unveil its new advertising platform, which is expected to be named iAd at the special event.
Ever since the announcement regarding tomorrow's media event was made, the blogosphere has been abuzz with speculations over the features that we can expect in iPhone OS 4.0.
Here is our iPhone OS 4.0 wish-list, which also includes features requested by our fantastic readers in the earlier post (thanks folks!):
Multitasking: There have been several reports in the past that point to the availability of dashboard-style widgets on the iPhone OS. With several iPhone rivals now launching smartphones with ability to multitask, we feel it is time Apple introduced the feature for their users.
App Management: There are over 180,000 iPhone apps on the App Store. With the subsequent increase in the number of apps users purchase and install on their iDevices, a better app management feature is very much needed such as allowing users to sort their iPhone apps into folders for easier access like you can do with Categories jailbreak app.
Customizations: Ability to customize the iPhone such as change wallpaper, font etc like jailbreak iPhone users can do with jailbreak apps like Winterboard.
Customized Lock screen: Users should be able to customize the lock screen so that they can see the number of new emails, SMS, upcoming appointments, weather etc on the lock screen itself, without needing to unlock the screen.
Better Bluetooth Support: Ability to transfer files with other Bluetooth devices, support for external Bluetooth keyboards like iPad and support for AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile).
Improved Mail App: It's a pity that Google hasn't released a native iPhone app for Gmail. We're hoping that Apple will bridge this gap by improving the iPhone mail app and include features such as filters/labels, ability to organize replies into conversations, improved search, universal mailbox and more. Currently it is possible to setup only one Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync account, this limit should be removed. The ability to download and save attachments.
Wireless Syncing: This has been one feature that we like in the Android phones. Unlike the iPhones, Android based smartphones do not require the user to plug their handsets to a computer to perform syncing operations. With competition from rival smartphone manufacturers heating up, we see this as a very useful upgrade in iPhone OS.
Improved Battery Life: It would be great if Apple can magically improve battery life in iPhone OS 4.0 on existing iPhone models.
Improved Performance: Based on the performance tests we published yesterday, it goes without saying that we expect everything to be a lot faster in iPhone OS 4.0.
Screen Rotation lock: Users should be able to stop the automatic screen rotation like jailbroken iPhone users can do with Rotation Inhibitor.
Improved Notifications: One of the other areas that needs an overhaul following the surge in the number of apps being downloaded and installed is the iPhone's notification system. The prevailing notification system may be seen as disruptive while the user is working at something important. Also, with only the most recent notification displayed at any moment, there are high chances of the user missing out on some important older notifications. We expect Apple to come up with interesting alternatives to sort this issue.
FM Radio: Since the Broadcom chips in iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS support FM radio, it would be nice surprise to see Apple enabling native support for FM Radio.
iPad Tethering: Users have long sought the ability to tether their laptop or netbook to their iPhone to browse the internet. While that sounds unlikely to come anytime soon, users may hope to see the ability to tether their iPad to their iPhone. Considering that iPhone users already pay AT&T for unlimited monthly data usage, this option could be highly welcome.
Adobe Flash Support: We know this will not happen but a wishlist for the next generation iPhone OS without this would be incomplete.
Update For All iPhone Users: We've heard rumors that iPhone OS 4.0 will be available to only iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and all iPod Touch users. We hope that the update is available for all iPhone users including the original iPhone users.
Updated:
Call Management: Additional call management features like a blacklist, call forwarding, etc. (sergeantspam)
Better Photos App: Ability to create photo albums on the iPhone itself (wolverinemarky).
Spell Check: Predictive text while using iPhone's virtual keyboard is very helpful but spell check would be useful as well and also the ability to add words to the iPhone dictionary instead of using some trick (Golan).
Direct Printing Support: Ability to print directly from apps such as Mail, Safari, iWorks for iPad etc.
These are just some of the features that we would like to see in iPhone OS 4.0. We would like to know which ones are your most requested features.
If you want us to add any other feature to this iPhone OS 4.0 wishlist then let us know in the comments.
