| In lue of the “Special Media Event” Apple is | | | | messages and notes with your voice. |
| holding January 26th, presumably to announce | | | | The ability to delete pre-installed apps, like |
| something big, perhaps the “iTablet” and the | | | | “stocks” or the “youtube” app, may |
| new iPhone firmware, details of the new iPhone 4.0 | | | | be offered with the iPhone 4.0 OS update. Many |
| OS were leaked recently with a few details of what | | | | people just prefer to access these services from |
| we could be seeing as soon as next week. New | | | | Safari. This new feature would free up memory and |
| features could include multi-touch gestures OS-wide, | | | | home screen space. |
| which adds to the rumour of the iTablet or iSlate | | | | The new iPhone 4.0 firmware update probably |
| using the same OS when launched. | | | | won’t give access to Verizon service, but |
| Multitasking has also been mentioned in the leaked | | | | considering AT&T’s exclusivity may be running |
| information that allows applications to be run in the | | | | out soon, we may see Verizon picking this up when |
| background. Previously, Apple has suggested that this | | | | the new iPhone 4G hits the market, presumably in |
| feature will make the iPhone crash, however many | | | | July, when all of the other iPhone predecessors have |
| “jailbreakers” are already achieving this | | | | been announced. The latest Verizon rumor is that |
| feature with success. We might see a limited version | | | | iPhone will not be available through Verizon until 3rd |
| of this feature, perhaps “text” being able to | | | | quarter of this year. |
| be run in the background. Offering multi-tasking also | | | | “Flash”! Apple has been saying that |
| might stop some of the “jailbreaking” that | | | | they’re not going to implement this due to |
| undercuts the integrity of apps, and in many cases, | | | | battery issues. We may see Apple changing there |
| compromises the system’s reliability. | | | | mind on this since we know it’s coming to |
| Changes to the UI on the graphics side have also | | | | Palm’s WebOS and probably Android, soon. With |
| been mentioned in the iPhone OS 4.0 rumor, which | | | | Flash, the software opens up a whole new world of |
| are supposedly going to make using the device a lot | | | | smartphone capabilities. You’ll be able to do |
| easier and more efficient. “Themes” to the | | | | many things with Flash, like watch videos in your |
| icons might be offered, allowing you to use your own | | | | mobile web browser, and use software that used to |
| photo or icon in place of the traditional iPhone apps | | | | only be reserved for desktops. Apple may offer |
| icons. “Themes” would also allow you to | | | | Flash, with the ability to turn it off if need be. |
| customize your home page and each app page. | | | | The last bit of information provided is something to |
| Although nothing was specifically mentioned on how it | | | | do with new syncing abilities for both contacts and |
| works, perhaps a new home screen could be seen in | | | | calendar entries. This may allow you to sync these |
| the iPhone 4.0 OS, giving a view of all your pertinent | | | | functions on the fly, perhaps with Google calendar |
| calendar, messaging, email, to-dos, missed-calls etc, all | | | | and other web PIMs. WebOS and Android already |
| stuffed into the home screen. You’d also be able | | | | allow you to do this without having to sync the |
| to access all this stuff from the home screen, | | | | handset to your computer. |
| without closing out applications and re-opening other | | | | The entire iPhone 4.0 Firmware OS update is coming |
| apps. | | | | for sure, but details are speculative as to “when |
| “Expose’”, an interface that allows all | | | | and what”. Nothig is set in stone, and we’re |
| your app pages to be viewed in one screen via | | | | all just speculating here. However, this we know. |
| thumbnail images of each app page, may also make it | | | | When the update does come out, it will be for the |
| to the updated iPhone 4.0 OS. | | | | 3G and 3G S iPhones only, (until iPhone 4G is |
| A speech dictate app may also be offered in the app | | | | announced), and should make the iPhone more like a |
| store, which would allow you to dicate text | | | | fully fledged computer. |