It's not true multitasking at all. It's APIs exposed by the SDK that allow background usage of certain things. There's an API for background audio playback, API for background GPS usage, etc. The main interface of the app is still suspended, but anything using those background APIs can run in the background. I haven't actually looked at the APIs myself because I let my Apple dev account expire a long time ago (since I'm ditching the iPhone in a few months anyway), so I'm not certain exactly how they work.

Example of something the "multitasking" on iOS4 can't do: IRC.

HD is fine, but who is really going to buy iMovie and edit movies on their phone with the dinky little screen and interface? And I could have sworn I heard of some major limitations against uploading as well (besides the fact that if you were to do it on 3G you'd break your new non-unlimited cap FAST).

Yeah, I don't care one bit about movie editing on a phone. If I want to take the time to actually do real editing to a video, I'm going to do it on a computer where it'll still be easier and faster anyway...

The high resolution screen and 3-axis gyro are probably the best features of iPhone 4. The multitasking is still a joke, and of course Apple is lying through their teeth saying it's the "best way" to do multitasking. That's like saying "the best way to compete in this motocross is on this tricycle!"

Why do I care about a gyro? Do people really need something that accurate for balancing? I rarely play any games that make use of the accelerometer, much less would need a gyro.

Again, Apple addressing a problem that didn't exist.

Yeah, I'm not too sure about the need for it anyway. I may be wrong, in that it allows for fun games, but I'm not bothered.

Form factor, good enough camera (and LED flash!), and the new screen all are winners, everything else is sort of "to play for".

I don't think that's necessarily Apple addressing a problem that doesn't exist, just adding more features.

Agree 100%. I don't play any games that require accelerometer controls. The games I play are all 100% touch-based. Motion-controlled games make me want to kick a puppy. At least on the Wii you're moving a controller (and even then I'm still not a huge fan), not the actual thing displaying the game!

Sure it is. The gyro's only real purpose is basically to make a "smoother" replacement for the accelerometer. A problem that I don't recall ever existing.

There's nothing wrong with adding features as long as there are use cases for them. There are use cases for the gyro, they're just niche. The biggest reason it was added is that it's fancy and it sells.

You could argue that there is pretty much a use case for everything. Trust me, the "suits" come up with ALL KINDS of use cases and we just go.

CM is arguing the need for the gyro and I agree with him, it wasn't technically needed. However, games on iPhone are a big cash cow for Apple and releasing a "fix" for the sensitivity = profit.

I understand where you're coming from, guys. It's taking me a while to realize this but once you start software engineering in companies and especially when you have actual say in your products, you'll realize that business people have 0 clue as to technical feasibility or worth. They only see what they think will turn a profit and thus the constant war between MBA and SE. Sometimes you do have to put your foot down and say "no, this is retarded" and boy have I done that. But other times you just have to grit your teeth and just engineer. You may think that Mr. Businessman's idea is wholly stupid but he's the one who says whether you'll get that paycheck.

I like buttons, not to mention that my plan is $80 for two phones with unlimited talk, text, and internet. Don't think I'll be switching soon.

buttons? ewww

Hmmm. I think I see what you mean finally. I'll just have to see how it will be when I see it in the store.

Sold, really solid upgrade from the previous 3GS, im glad I skipped the 3GS all together, and for £20 upgrade from o2 is pretty cool.

[Shrek]Hold the phone![/Shrek]

Where'd you get that little nugget from?

(seriously, I'm due an upgrade and have £200ish stashed away for my upgrade because I assume I'll need to contribute towards the handset - if it's only £20 to upgrade from my 3G I'm halfway to an iPad already!)

iPhone 4s "Retina Display" a misleading marketing term? GASP


http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/iphone-4-retina/

Ouch UK folks (Martyn, you'll want to read):

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/uks-o2-to-impose-3g-data-limits-for-iphone-4-users/

well with that happening i might not get it,
will that mean if i get a contract before october i am fine or will the contract change from october

Yeah, I just read that. At least ours are 500MB per month rather than AT&T's 200MB.

Not clapping.

EDIT:

I've used 1590MB in 17 months, or about 100MB per month. I doubt I'll have to worry.

I want one, I like the new design and love the new screen, but there is really very little reason for me to upgrade from the 3GS.

I really woudnt worry about it, we all looked at our usage meters and not one of us has managed to click over 2Gb in a year, so really cant see it being a huge problem.

Also Martyn

http://shop.o2.co.uk/new-iphone/earlyupgradeoffer.html

Use that Calc, I only have a month to go so will cost me £20 for mine and £80 for the wifes.

**** yeah retina display! I mean marketing terms.

LANGUAGE WARNING:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/06/wwdc-keynote-wifi-woes-may-have-been-due-to-iphone-4g-drivers.ars

Long story short: iPhone 4 bug exists that caused it to fail at the conference, not just the big blob of wifi. Question remains on if it's so critical that it'll force a reflash of all iPhone 4s in production, or released as a patch later.

This should finally shut up those Mac fans who keep pointing out the famous "Win98 USB" showcase.

I literally know nobody who has brought that up in the last 10 years, mac fanboy or not.

Then the mac fanboys you know are smarted then the ones I know.
Also: Win7 must have perfomance because it's slow on my Pentium 4 with 512 megs of ram.
yeahhh

I'm not a fan of Mac, but seriously. This whole post.

I don't know anyone who has brought that up in the last 10 years either.
What would be the point of bringing it up? Win 98 sucks? That's nice...

I'm a mac fanboi and I can say without doubt that I am smarter than you.

Just because I like teh shinay iPhone which happens to fit in with all my digital stuff very well because ... I own a mac doesn't make me dumblol.

Also AP - I found that late last night - I'm FREEEEEEEEEEE (my upgrade is due on the 22nd)

Also you didn't say smarted

In MASSIVE SURPRISE SHOCK both Steve and Wired take it too far.

The truth is somewhere in the middle : http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/06/10/resolving-the-iphone-resolution/

Maybe if you're blind. Are you blind, Martyn? Are you? !

I'm colourblind! Does that count?