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Tag: background-tasks

  • iPhone Gets Copy and Paste – Finally


    Apple has released details of a new version of the iPhone OS, with over 100 new features including finally adding copy and paste.

    However, another much desired issue – allowing for background tasks from third party applications – remains unresolved, despite rival handsets running Google Android and the as-yet unlaunched Palm Pre able to support background apps.

    The reason given for the delay in delivering such an obvious feature as copy and paste – Apple said it wasn’t easy to do and security issues needed to be resolved with copying information between applications.

    Apple also announced that there are to be over 1,000 new APIs for iPhone developers.

    Among some of the other new features that will be introduced on OS 3.0 this summer are:

    • Push notifications will be standard in iPhone 3.0.
    • In-App purchasing
    • MMS
    • Peer-to-Peer connectivity
    • Third-party Accessories
    • Turn-by-Turn directions
    • A landscape keyboard option
    • Voice memos
    • System-wide Spotlight searching
    • Stereo Bluetooth audio devices are now supported through the use of A2DP technology

    iPhone OS 3.0 will be available in the summer. It will be a free update to all iPhone users, while iPod touch owners will have to pay USD $9.95 for the upgrade.

    Due to hardware differences, features such as A2DP and MMS won’t be available on the original iPhone.

    iPhone developers will be able to get the beta of OS 3.0 almost immediately.

    During today’s iPhone 3.0 Preview Event, Apple announced that its iPhone OS, which powers both the iPhone and the iPod touch, is now on 30 million devices — including 17 million iPhones by December, 2008.

    Apple also announced over 800 million App Store downloads to date, and 800,000 iPhone SDK downloads.

  • iPhone Likely to Get Background Application Support?


    Apple has flagged up March 17 for a special event to preview its new iPhone 3.0 software.

    One issue that could be addressed with the new OS is allowing for background tasks from third party applications.

    While the iPhone currently doesn’t allow this, rival handsets running Google Android and, crucially, the as-yet unlaunched Palm Pre, are able to support background applications.

    Since user pressure hasn’t done the trick then maybe the Pre’s imminent arrival has provided Apple with the stimulus it needed to remedy this shortcoming on the iPhone.

    With the new software expected to be available by June/July, this would be perfect timing for Palm’s planned launch of its new smartphone by the end of the first half of 2009.

    Among the other expectations ahead of next week’s Apple event is the suggestion the iPhone OS could find its way into a device somewhere between an iPhone and laptop.

    OK, so Apple recently ruled out a "netbook", but what if it’s a big screen iPod Touch?