credit attributed to http://www.flickr.com/photos/edplant/

This is a guest post by Charles Zink.

Apple. Several years ago, people would think of the red thing that falls off trees. In todays technology race, we think of iPhones and iPods. It is safe to say that Apple and Steve Jobs (the current CEO of Apple) have changed normal life for almost everyone. They set the standard for smart-phones and how we think about them, they practically invented the MP3 player and have created an operating system so simple that even the elderly can use it with ease. Now Apple is re-defining mobile-computing once again with the iPad. A device small enough to take with you on short trips or to a relatives house, but large enough for satisfactory browsing of standard websites.  Within days of the release of the long awaited iPad, they release iPhone OS 4, leaving us even more stunned.

The Cupertino based company loves to surprise people. They also love to hold back important features and advancements in their devices years after the release of the initial product. This last week when Apple announced iPhone OS 4, I believe that they have finally are going to let the true powers of their devices shine. Users and developers alike have asked for features like multitasking and background music, now of which is possible.

Steve Job’s came on stage Thursday and unveiled the curtain in front of OS 4 and what it’s limitless capability’s are. He started his presentation by announcing the rising numbers of iPhone and iPad sales, and then got straight to the point. First up was by far the most important feature of all. Multitasking. They once again have created a beautiful way to switch between applications, and also claiming that it won’t drain battery life at all. The system allows a way for developers to not only run applications in the background, but integrate with popular controls like the iPod controls on the lockscreen. They demonstrated using Pandora, which can be controlled from your lockscreen just like the standard Music app! They showed how you could pause mid-game (Using Tap Tap Revenge by Tapulous) as an example while they gamed, checked email, and answered phone calls, all by just a touch. Just simply double tap your home button, and a neat looking dock slides up from the bottom showing all apps that are running, and allowing you to switch between them with ease.

Next up in the presentation, folders. Now I must say that this is directly stolen from the Jailbreak community and Cydia app store. There has been folders for as long as I can remember if you have Jailbroken your iPhone or iPod touch, but having the two key features most used by Jailbreakers avalibale as a default it bound to set alot of Jailbroken guys off to hit the reset button and un-Jailbreak. Folders come up almost as a widget, popping up a dock like box on the springboard with your apps inside of it. Also, intelligent naming. If you put Tap Tap Revenge, Need For Speed, and Scrabble in a folder, it will get the drift and name it “Games” for you, of course, you can change this if you like.

Now onto Mail. Not alot going on here except for a unified mailbox. I know personally that with having 5 emails I check on my iPhone, it gets time- consuming to switch between each one, so this feature will definitely benefit the masses. Also, iBooks. Not too breath taking. It’s only natural to put it on the little brother too. Oh wait! Winnie the Pooh is coming free on it too!

They dabble on a bit about Enterprise and better data management, nothing of any concern to the general public. Then, another killer. They are adding a Game Center for the platform! Just like Xbox Live, you will have stats, leaderboards, and the ability to invite friends to a game, all in one central place! I’m sure developers like Tapulous will jump on this. Other than those key features, Mr. Jobs didn’t speak of much more about the 100+ features that OS 4 will bring. There are rumors that the rating option when deleting an app will be removed, but nothing has been confirmed.

Overall, iPhone OS 4 will finally release all the potential of the iPhone, and now with the iPad just out, it seems as enticing as ever. Now we are only left to wait for the release and to wonder what next big idea Apple has up their sleeve. Untill next time, Cya!

Fun fact: Go to the Apple website and look at pictures of all of their touch-screen devices. Notice anything strange? All of them have the exact same time! Now, go dabble on and turn this into a conspiracy

Charles Zink is the Founder of The Nerd TV.  He is very passionate about technology and enjoys blogging about it.  Charles runs a live stream on his site as well as an Android Development team along with his staff.

Further reading:

Has The iPad Excessive Hype Ruined Potential Interest?

Is Apple Really At Fault?

iPod Touch 3.0 Software Review

10 Reasons You Should Buy A Mac

For today’s post, I wanted to review the 3.0 software for Apple’s iPod Touch.  Before I get into any opinions or facts I want to let everyone know that in order to proceed with this software upgrade, you need an iPod Touch 2nd Generation.  If you don’t have one, this upgrade cannot happen. 

The 3.0 software I must say with my first initial impression was – impressive!  I felt that the cost to upgrade ($9.95) was well worth the features.  I did do my research before I purchased it, but after seeing how many features were added, it was a no brainer!

In particular, there were three features that sold me.  They were – copy and paste, spotlight search, and the horizontal keyboard. Granted, there was more incorporated into the new software, but these three things in particular were something that I thought was really cool and worth having.  Looking back at the 2.0 software, it has no comparison to the 3.0 software.  I want to go into detail more about why these three features in particular are so useful.

The spotlight search is fantastic and hearing the gossip from others has been very positive as well.  If you have a lot of applications that you have downloaded, you can use the spotlight search to find the particular app you are looking for.  No more browsing all the pages of apps on your iPod Touch.  For me, when something makes things easier, I am all about it!  Secondly, the cut and paste feature is just wild!  The fact that you can highlight a piece of text and then copy and paste it in “portable” device is quite interesting.  When it was first mentioned that this feature would be in the 3.0 software, it created a lot of buzz!  It was probably in my opinion the number one selling point for the majority of people.  Finally, the horizontal keyboard is what I call the best of all upgrades.  The 2.o software only allow you to type on the iPod Touch with the screen being verticle.  It was quite difficult to type considering we are use to having more room to type.  The installment of the horizontal keyboard feature is great.  Now all you have to do is turn your iPod sideways and type away if that’s more comfortable for you. 

A major benefit of this software upgrade is for those of you that have iPhones.  You guys get the upgrade for free, but such a small price such as this for iPod Touch users shouldn’t even question whether to upgrade or not.  Apple has a full list and description of all the updates here.  You can see for yourself that there are more installments beyond the one’s I mentioned and those may appeal more to you than what I have talked about. 

I think the 3.o software has something for everyone.  You can buy from the iTunes Store directly from your phone, listen to music with wireless bluetooth headsets, and play games against your friends no matter where they are!  Apple has improved the Safari web browser, enabled push notifications and syncing capabilities with your notes.  These upgrades are great, but there are more!  The ones I have just mentioned aren’t my particular selling points, but the three I mentioned above are!  However, you may have your own that caused you to upgrade.  Whichever reason that may be, make sure to update your software now!  You definitely won’t be disappointed. 

Technology comes out like a champion once again!  Great job by the developers at Apple.  I am very pleased with my purchase and look forward to testing out all the latest features.  If this is how good the 3.0 software is,  will the 4.0 software be even better?  I wonder if there will be 4.0 software…only time will tell!  So tell us what upgrades were your selling points and what you liked best!

Did you upgrade just because you like to always stay up-to-date?  Or was there something in particular you couldn’t wait to have?

Further reading:

Did You Buy Your iPod Touch Yet?

Technology Innovation Huge in 2010

Which Cell Phone Is The Best Tech Gadget?

Would A Netbook By Apple Be Smart?