Full FeediPhone OS 3.0: Everything you need to know…so far
Today’s iPhone OS 3.0 preview was quite the show. Apple almost outdid themselves by catching up on all standard features of regular cell phones, and then some. Amongst today’s biggest features were items such as Copy and Paste, , Turn by Turn GPS and MMS. But that’s not all, Apple states there are well over 100 new features or improvements to be experienced in iPhone OS 3.0 coming this June, so let’s take a look at what’s in store.
Copy and Paste
It’s the feature that should have been in the original iPhone. Apple has always claimed the iPhone runs a full (not a dumbed down or restricted) version of OS X. But can you really consider it a full operating system if it can’t do something as basic as copying and pasting information from one place to another? Not to worry, the sun is setting on the days of writing things down on paper only to retype them elsewhere on the iPhone.
This feature works as follows; double tap a word to select it as your initial selection, and up pops a dark gray balloon that has your “Cut Copy Paste” options. You can edit your selection by dragging the handles on either side of the selection. Think of your finger as a highlighter. After you’ve selected all of the information that you need, choose cut or copy (if you already have something in your clipboard, you could replace the selection with paste). Now, all you need to do is find some place to put it. Paste by double tapping and hitting paste in the pop up balloon. One last observation. If you double tap in white space, you get the option to select all.
This seems like a pretty intuitive way to handle copy and paste, since double clicking a word in OSX will select it. I also enjoy the idea of my finger working as a highlighter to select text. Too bad the selection color isn’t yellow. I only see a few potential problems. First, how does this work in Safari since there is an overlap of gestures? Can I copy both text and images at the same time? What are the limitations of the clipboard (types and amount of information to copy)? And inevitably, if you give a mouse a fish, he’ll ask for sushi. So, when will the clipboard be expanded to support history (multiple items)? I’m not holding my breath.
Turn by Turn GPS
Remember that article I wrote up about turn by turn GPS for the iPhone from TeleNav? You might say it has it’s own cult following, but the truth is that if you put a GPS receiver inside of a consumer device, users will assume that it has the ability for turn by turn navigation. To most consumers, GPS equals turn by turn navigation, so it’s about time this is allowed. And I say allowed because Apple isn’t helping out at all on this one. This feature is strictly BYOM (bring your own maps). So, in short, this isn’t really a new feature, it’s a loosening of the App Store approval requirements. I wouldn’t be surprised to apps from TeleNav and TomTom come this June.
Push Notifications
Remember when Apple originally announced Push Notifications? Yeah, me neither. It really was that long ago. Today, they made a bunch of excuses, but apparently they’re done playing catch up with this one too. They are still reluctant to do background processes. They claim that stand by time on a cell phone drops by 80% with background processes versus 20% with push notifications. It also alleviates the problem of the CPU being slowed down by numerous apps running at once.
Push Notifications have three options for updates. Text alerts are similar to SMS messages in that they pop up no matter what app you are using. Developers can also have customized sounds for these alerts and badge updates. Badge updates are the numbers you see next to the icons of apps with updates like Mail and SMS. This is supposedly extremely scalable, so, just like with MobileMe, there should be no worries.
Messages
iPhone OS 3.0 will see a name change from SMS to Messages because you will no longer be restricted to just SMS. Well, if you meet certain criteria that is. First, there is no support for MMS on the original iPhone. Also, there’s a disclaimer on Apple’s site that states MMS is not available in all areas, and separate fees may apply. I’m sure this is a blanket statement to cover themselves with, but with the ever increasing price of sending an SMS message (despite dropping costs of actually transmitting it), I can’t help but think AT&T and the like will take this opportunity to fatten their wallets. And with the new ability to forward (and delete) multiple messages at a time, this could add up for them quickly.
But if you have to pay, at least you get to send a bunch of different things, not just images. You’ll be able to send pictures, audio, maps and contact information. Apple said they have over 100 new features and improvements in iPhone OS 3.0, but I’m doubting that video (over MMS) is one of them. But hey, it’s not completely out of the question.
Spotlight
Finally, search across your iPhone with Spotlight. You can search all of the things you’d come to expect like mail, messages, contacts, songs and your calendar, but apparently developers will be able to have their apps be searchable with Spotlight as well.
Landscape
Now Mail, Messages and Notes will support the widescreen layout and keyboard. Too bad for all of those apps that were created specifically for this purpose.
Tethering
Apple will fully support 3G tethering with the iPhone. This lets the iPhone share it’s Internet connection with a computer (usually a notebook). The only obstacles left are the carriers, and I would think that just like MMS they’ll be ready to take your money.
Bluetooth
iPhone OS 3.0 will also allow the use of A2DP compliant wireless headphones (that’s stereo bluetooth). Don’t be surprised if the quality sucks, though; Bluetooth isn’t the ideal solution for wireless audio, but if wireless you must be, it isn’t the worst. This will even work with the 2nd gen iPod touch, but neither 1st gen iPhone nor 2st gen iPod touch.
App Store
Not exactly along the lines of that Premium App Store we’ve been hearing about, but Apple has updated the way you can buy things on the iPhone. Developers will now have the ability to offer app subscriptions and additional content to be purchased in-app, like extra levels. This will be tied to your Apple Store account, so no extra signing up is necessary.
Apple Apps
Apple will also be including some new apps of their own. A file app for exchanging files wirelessly over Bluetooth, and a Voice Memo app for recording your voice. Notes will also be updated with syncing ability.
Developer Info
There are 1000 new APIs for devs to take advantage of. Here are a few of the new options: peer to peer WiFi connectivity for games and the like, hardware specific apps for accessories that connect over Bluetooth or through the dock connector, embedable Google maps, access to iPod music, rumble, VOIP and so, so much more.
Apple really outdid themselves today. It’s quite an impressive set of improvements, even if half of them are just playing catch up with the rest of the industry. You have to remember, Apple has never desired to be the first, they’ve always wanted to be the first to do it right. Plus, I’ve only scratched the surface of what iPhone OS 3.0 really has to offer.
You can expect iPhone OS 3.0 to be available this summer (likely June). It’s a free upgrade for all iPhone users and $9.95 for iPod touch users because of some funny accounting rules. If you’re interested in knowing more, check out Apple’s page for the preview of iPhone OS 3.0. There’s even a video of today’s event. Also, if you are a developer, you can get started now with the SDK beta. So have at it!
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I saw the presentation and at the end I saw that iPod touch users must pay 10 bucks for the update, does that mean you should pay again for the 3.0 even if you have already paid for the past updates?
on March 18, 2009 at 05:21 AM - LINKUnfortunately, yes. Because of some accounting rules, Apple is unable to add significant amounts of new features to the iPod touch without charging for the value it adds. iPhone users don’t have to pay this because they pay a monthly fee with the expectation of additional value. Your previous purchase of the 2.0 upgrade will not be enough for the 3.0 since it is still a significant change. That said, I think this update will be well worth it.
on March 18, 2009 at 05:44 AM - LINKThat totally sucks, what about us living outside of the U.S.?
I’m in Asia, so how do I upgrade to that? It’s not like we all have U.S. credit cards.
on March 18, 2009 at 07:42 AM - LINKIt’s only $10 for a significant OS update. Compare that to your Mac OS X updates of $129, and you’re getting a good deal. I don’t think asking users to pay $10 approximately once a year for an OS update is all that outrageous.
Not sure I understand your question, John. I assume your iPod touch is regionalized, so you’d just update your Asian device when iPhone 3.0 is localized for your region.
on March 18, 2009 at 08:56 AM - LINKPlease correct the bluetooth specifications. Will it work with ipod touch 2nd generation or not?
on March 25, 2009 at 06:42 PM - LINKI’m not sure I understand your question the way you intend Claudio. iPhone OS 3.0 most certainly will work with all iPod touches. Some features will not work, obviously MMS, SMS etc. One feature that will work with the 2nd generation touch is bluetooth and all of the new things that come with that like A2DP, sending files, etc. The 2nd gen touch has a bluetooth chip built in, but what never used or activated previously.
on March 26, 2009 at 05:42 AM - LINK