Monday, June 21, 2010, 01:00 pm

Apple releases iOS 4 for iPhone, iPod touch

By AppleInsider Staff

Apple's latest operating system upgrade for the iPhone, iOS 4, was released Monday, packed with over 100 new features including multitasking and folders.

iOS 4 is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G, as well as recent generation iPod touch. Multitasking is only available with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. iOS 4 also comes preinstalled on the new, $99, 8GB iPhone 3GS, as well as the next-generation iPhone 4, set for release this Thursday.

The build released Monday is 8A293, the same as the gold master release candidate introduced to developers at the iPhone 4 event last week. The full IPSW update file weighs in at 579MB and is available through iTunes.

New features of iOS 4 highlighted by Apple:

• Multitasking: Now you can run your favorite third-party apps —- and switch between them instantly —- without slowing down the performance of the foreground app or draining the battery unnecessarily.
  
  
• Folders: Organize apps into folders with drag-and-drop simplicity. Get faster access to your favorites and browse and manage up to 2160 apps.
  
  
• Even better Mail: See messages from all your accounts in a unified inbox, organize messages by threads, open attachments in third-party apps, and more.
  
  
• iBooks: More than a great ebook reader, iBooks is also an amazing place to browse and shop for books, day or night.

• Create playlists: Create custom playlists right on your iPhone.
  
  
• 5x digital zoom: Get closer to your subjects by zooming in up to 5x.
  
  
• Tap to focus video: While shooting video, tap the display to choose where to focus.
  
  
• Faces and Places in Photos: View photos based on who’s in them and where they were taken.
  
  
• Home screen wallpaper: Change the background wallpaper on your Home screen.
  
  
• Gift apps: Send apps as gifts to your friends or family.
  
  
• Spell checking: A built-in spell checker works in Mail, Notes, and other apps.
  
  
• Wireless keyboard support: Pair a keyboard based on Bluetooth wireless technology with your iPhone.

For more, see First Look: Apple's iOS 4 for iPhone, iPod touch.