MacRumors

Today's release of iOS 4 marks a major upgrade to Apple's iPhone and iPod touch devices. High demand for the software update has caused a strain on Apple's servers resulting in slow downloads for many customers. For those who are able to get the software downloaded and installed, here are a few walkthroughs that go over the major features found in the new iOS.

- iLounge: Apple iOS 4.0
- ArsTechnica: iOS 4: what's new, notable, and what needs work
- Macworld: Exploring iOS 4's multimedia features
- TiPb: iOS4 Walkthrough
- Gizmodo: Hidden Secrets of iOS 4

From a casual user standpoint, the biggest features will include:

- Folders - With the explosion of the App Store, App management has been a major issue. The introduction of Folders allows users to simply drag and drop icons on top of each other to create a custom folder of Apps. Tapping on the folder brings up a display of all the enclosed icons.
- MultiTasking / Fast App Switching - Exiting an App will now place it into a suspended mode that allows you to return to it quickly... at least for those apps that support it. Meanwhile, Apps with more sophisticated needs such as Pandora Radio can continue to play streaming music after you've left the app. Double tapping on the home button gives you a display of most recent apps that you've used and also gives you quick access to the iPod/Music controls if you swipe right on the icon bar.

Note that Apple's Game Center is not yet live. While an early version was provided to developers, Apple does not plan to launch the social gaming service until later this year.

Late last week, Valve Software alerted users of its Steam game distribution platform that Apple's Mac OS X 10.6.4 released last Tuesday appears to be causing performance issues for players of high-end games on Macs with NVIDIA graphics cards. As a result, Valve recommends that users for whom this might be an issue hold off from updating their systems.

The recent 10.6.4 update from Apple has noticeable performance issues for NVidia graphic chip owners running high performance games.

If you wish to avoid this, you should consider waiting to install the 10.6.4 update until Apple has had the opportunity to address this issue.

Valve made a splash earlier this year when it brought its popular Steam platform to Mac OS X and began releasing titles in its own game library for the Mac. While Mac users of Steam have reportedly been enjoying relatively good stability compared to Windows users, they have also been experiencing lower framerates, degrading the gaming experience somewhat.

We noted last week that Valve is working with Apple, as well as graphics card manufacturers NVIDIA and ATI, to improve drivers and make other changes that should improve the gaming experience on the Mac platform. In the meantime, however, Mac OS X 10.6.4 appears to be a step backward, at least for high-performance games, and it is unknown when Apple will address the issue.

Alongside today's release of iOS 4, Apple has updated its iBooks application to Version 1.1, making it a universal application offering compatibility with iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. In addition to bringing the company's eBook reader to the smaller form factor of the iPhone and iPod touch for the first time, iBooks is also seeing a number of enhancements, including free over-the-air syncing of bookmarks and notes across users' devices.

iBooks also now incorporates PDF viewing, which operates very similarly to its eBook reading capabilities, as well as a new font choice of Georgia, choice of sepia or white page colors, a left-justified text option, and an increase in available font sizes.

With the update, iPhone and iPod touch users running iOS 4 now have access to the full iBooks experience, including Apple's iBookstore where users can download paid and free eBook content in the ePub format.

Users looking to update their App Store applications for today's iOS 4 release have been greeted with a screen informing them of changes to the iTunes Store and conditions. While users are required to accept the changes before continuing, the summary of changes simply indicates that the company has made "material" changes to its privacy agreement.

iLounge dug into the changes and discovered that the updated terms relate to Apple's iAd service, which aims to deliver a high-quality, interactive mobile advertising experience. Some of iAd's appeal to advertisers is Apple's ability to serve ads with a high degree of relevance to customers due to the company's vast amount of information on each customer's purchase and download history, but this ability also raises certain privacy issues, and the updated privacy terms explain Apple's data collection and offers users a means to opt out of the collection.

"Apple and its partners use cookies and other technologies in mobile advertising services to control the number of times you see a given ad, deliver ads that relate to your interests, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns," the text says. "If you do not want to receive ads with this level of relevance on your mobile device, you can opt out by accessing the following link on your device: http://oo.apple.com. If you opt out, you will continue to receive the same number of mobile ads, but they may be less relevant because they will not be based on your interests. You may still see ads related to the contrent on a web page or in an application or based on other non-personal information. This opt-out applies only to Apple advertising services and does not affect interest-based advertising from other advertising networks."

As noted, users must visit the opt-out URL on each device they wish to exclude from the data collection, and those devices must be running iOS 4 in order to register the opt-out. The company has also posted a new support document outlining the interest-based ads and the opt-out process.

Application developers have already begun rolling out iAd-enabled applications with placeholders for the forthcoming interactive advertisement, but the service will not go live until July 1st.

Just as iOS 4 went live a short time ago, Apple sent out emails to U.S. customers who placed iPhone 4 reservations for in-store pickup on Thursday when the device launches.

The email includes a confirmation of the day and time, as well as the location where the reservation has been made. Those with reservations are also reminded to bring a photo ID, their Social Security number, and a debit or credit card, and customers transferring from another carrier are asked to bring their existing account number to enable the transfer process.

Apple also notes that some customers received original confirmation emails citing incorrect pricing, and refers customers to Apple's support site to check with AT&T's servers to confirm correct pricing eligibility.

As expected, Apple today released iOS 4, the company's next-generation operating system for the iPhone and iPod touch. A number of readers are reporting that the update has just gone live, although availability appears to still be rolling out across all users. Those looking for the update can connect their devices to iTunes and click the "Checking for Update" button.

iOS 4 brings over 100 new features, including multitasking, folders, Mail improvements, iBook support and more. The operating system is compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4, as well as second- and third-generation iPod touch models. Not all features are compatible with all devices, however, with features such as multitasking, custom wallpaper, and Bluetooth keyboard support requiring a minimum of an iPhone 3GS or third-generation iPod touch.

Users report that the iOS 4 build number (8A293) is the same as that released to developers as the Golden Master Candidate earlier this month.

With the launch of Apple's iOS 4 expected possibly within the hour if past releases are any indication, Pandora has just snuck in under the wire with an update to the company's Pandora Radio [App Store] application. The popular service offering free, personalized music streams was one of the App Store's earliest success stories, and has been a favorite of Apple executives for their presentations.

The new update brings the much-anticipated backgrounding feature first demoed at Apple's iOS 4 media event in April, taking advantage of the new multitasking APIs in iOS 4 to allow users to continue streaming music from the application even after switching away to other apps.

Pandora keeps playing after you press press the home button. You can go surf the web or use Facebook and the music won't stop. (Available only on multitasking capable devices with iOS 4.)

Not all iOS devices will be able to take advantage of the multitasking features of iOS 4 due to the hardware requirements. Consequently, multitasking will be limited to the iPhone 3GS, third-generation iPod touch, and of course iPhone 4 due for launch later this week.

Just as the iPad launched in early April, Google debuted an iPad-formatted version of its browser-based Gmail, using its HTML5-based mobile platform to create a two-column format similar to that used for Apple's Mail application on the device. At the time, the company noted that it was continuing to test features and interface designs, and a new change today offers proof of that continued tweaking.

Building on top of the existing two-column Gmail interface on the iPad, Google has announced the launch of a new full-screen compose window that will pop up over the Gmail window, making it easier for users to write email messages on the tablet device.

When you write an email you'll now get a big full screen compose window instead of splitting the screen between your inbox and the compose view. More text is visible at once and there are no more distractions with messages on the side. We've also fixed problems that prevented scrolling on long messages.

Google does note, however, that the new feature is available only in the US English language format for the time being.

The company also reports that it is still experimenting with the iPad form factor, and is thus continuing to solicit feedback and suggestions from users.

iLounge notes that the first applications supporting Apple's forthcoming iAd mobile advertising platform are beginning to go live in the App Store, despite the fact that the service doesn't officially launch until July 1st. Consequently, the apps simply display either an empty banner or test messages indicating proper integration with the service.

Avantar, developer of mobile search applications such as OneTap Movies, Showtimes, Munch and Yellow Pages, has updated several of its applications integrating the new mobile advertising platform. Apple's iAd does not go live until July 1st, and at this time these apps appear to be showing either a test ad or an empty banner.

The report notes that the "What's new" section for the updated application initially included mention of iAd integration, but the references have since been removed.

Update: Apple's iTunes Connect interface for developers also includes an iAd section, and has a news item posted today regarding the upcoming launch. From now through the end of June, Apple will be tracking ad requests for iAd-enabled applications, but the ads will obviously not begin being served until July 1st.

Those customers lucky enough to successfully place iPhone 4 pre-orders through AT&T before the company's servers imploded last week might be interested to know that the carrier has begun confirming shipment to customers via FedEx. The carrier's activity comes after customers who pre-ordered through Apple began seeing movement yesterday.

Many customers' order statuses are showing their items having shipped on Friday, June 18th, but only now is AT&T updating its website with shipping information and sending out confirmation emails.

Apple's iPhone 4 is set to launch on Thursday, although a number of Apple pre-order customers are seeing FedEx delivery estimates of Wednesday. Apple has in the past, however, coordinated with carriers to hold delivery until official product launch days, and it is likely the company will do so again for iPhone 4.

Silicon Alley Insider reports that Apple's FaceTime video calling feature coming on iPhone 4 will not tap into customers' allotments of cellular minutes. Although the feature operates only over Wi-Fi for the time being, a FaceTime session can be initiated from within a phone call, leaving some observers wondering whether the phone connection would be maintained in the background as a fallback in case the video call fails, but eating up cellular minutes while doing so.

"The voice call ends as soon as the FaceTime call connects," Apple tells us. "The FaceTime call is over Wi-Fi so does not use carrier minutes."

Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted during his introduction of iPhone 4 and FaceTime at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month that the company will be working with carriers to allow FaceTime over cellular networks but that it will remain Wi-Fi-only at least through the end of the year.

Once the feature does go live on cellular networks, today's report points out that Apple and service providers will have to determine whether FaceTime sessions are billed as minutes, data, or both, or even a completely new category of consumption.

Apple is due to release iOS 4 sometime today. The latest version of the iPhone and iPod touch operating system will be available as a free download. It appears Apple has already started shipping the new iPhone 3GS 8GB with iOS 4 pre-installed (see photo above).

We aren't sure when Apple will be posting the download. Last year's 3.0 release didn't take place until after 1PM Eastern/10AM Pacific.

iClarified is mirroring the entire Best Buy iPhone 4 launch plan which was originally leaked to HowardForums. The document focuses on the policies surrounding Best Buy's iPhone 4 launch and reveals some interest notes for would-be customers. Here's the most interesting piece:

Seems Best Buy is expecting "minimal inventory" of iPhone 4s on launch and isn't even sure they'll be able to fulfill orders to all those who pre-ordered. Those who did pre-order at Best Buy should expect a phone call to set up an appointment during the day to purchase your iPhone 4. Best Buy won't know for sure if they will be able to fulfill existing pre-orders until they receive inventory numbers this week.

If you haven't yet pre-ordered, we suspect your best bet for getting an iPhone 4 on launch day is to line-up early at an Apple Store. Apple Stores are expected to have an allotment of walk-in inventory outside the existing pre-orders. Meetups are being organized in our forums.

Several readers have notified us that they have started receiving shipment notifications and FedEx tracking numbers for their iPhone 4. Several of the shipment notifications indicate a "Delivers By" date of June 23rd -- a day before the official launch day.

We wouldn't read too much into these delivery dates as Apple has been known to artificially prolong ship times in order to match the worldwide launch date. The iPhone 4 is officially to be available on June 24th, 2010.

Problems seem to persist in the pre-ordering of iPhones that began on Tuesday.

Best Buy had actually accepted some pre-orders for White iPhones on Tuesday, June 15th. The White iPhone was otherwise unavailable at any other location. Today, we received word from one such customer that they were called by Best Buy explaining that they won't be able to fulfill their White preorder. According to the Best Buy representative, a manufacturing delay is preventing availability of the White iPhone 4 on launch day.

Separately, several readers are reporting that their (Black) iPhone 4 pre-orders from the online Apple Store have been inexplicably canceled.

I ordered one 32GB for my line and my wife got a 16GB on the 15th. Both from Apple. Both were successful with order acknowledgments and temporary holds on the card. Today the 16GB order shows cancelled. No email, no call, nothing, just a cancellation on the order status page.

Several others have had similar issues, finding their orders canceled. Some of the cancelations are being blamed on not accepting AT&T's terms and conditions, but the situation remains muddy.

Many of those who have been obsessively checking their order status at the U.S. Apple online store have seen their order status move from Not Shipped to "Prepared for Shipment". Due to the massive volume of pre-orders, Apple will likely start shipments early but ask the shipper (FedEx or UPS) to hold the package at the destination warehouse in order to time simultaneous delivery on June 24th.

Meanwhile, customers who ordered their iPhone 4 from AT&T have seen some early credit card charges and they are organizing in this discussion thread.

Finally, those who are planning on camping out or meeting up at their local Apple Stores or AT&T stores can participate in our Meetup forum where users are posting threads by location. The demand for the iPhone 4 seems particularly high so getting one on day number one will be difficult without a pre-order or arriving early to stand in line.

Useful forum links:

- The U.K. iPhone 4 Thread
- iPhone 4 Order Goes from Not Shipped to Prepared for Shipment
- AT&T Order Status Thread
- iPhone 4 Launch Meetup Forum

GPS navigation firm Navigon, which offers a wide range of turn-by-turn navigation applications for the iPhone, has posted a new video showing how its applications can take advantage of the multitasking capabilities of Apple's forthcoming iOS 4.

In the video, Navigon's Bernd Hahn demonstrates how a user can quickly switch to Safari to look up information and easily return to their navigation application. As an additional example, Hahn demonstrates how to accept an incoming call while in the Navigon application, allowing voice guidance to continue in the background during the call. Upon call termination, the Navigon application automatically comes back to the foreground and full navigation resumes.

Multitasking will be support on the iPhone 3GS and third-generation iPod touch with the launch of iOS 4 next Monday, June 21st. Apple's iPhone 4, launch on June 24th, will obviously also offer iOS 4 with multitasking support.