I almost forgot about the entire iPhone OS 4.0 event yesterday. I was putting the finishing touches on my app (more on that later) when I realized that it was actually time for the event to start. Two things to note :
1. Sites like GDGT, Engadget and Ars Technica have really made viewing liveblogs a great experience. Updates appeared in near real time.
2. iPhone OS 4.0 is set to get the Android and Windows Mobile teams scrambling to catch up again.

Apple has packed over 100 new features and 1,500 new APIs into iPhone OS 4.0.

Multitasking – This is one of the most-requested features from both consumers and developers. Apple has come up with a decent plan to provide multitasking, considering the self-imposed limitations (like the single hardware button).
Folders – Once you get past a couple dozen apps on your phone, it’s a nightmare to organize them. Even managing apps through iTunes isn’t a great help. I don’t have a requirement to manage 2000 apps on my iPhone, but it’s good to know :-)
Email – a much better email client, with a merged inbox view, switch between inboxes quickly, and sync to more than one Exchange account. There’s also threaded messaging and in-app attachment viewing.
iBooks – bringing iBooks from the iPad to the iPhone and iPod touch
Enterprise – addresses security, scalability, and compatibility enhancements. With the iPad going strong, expect to see a lot of new applications for business vertical like logistics, medicine, etc.
iAd – this is obviously more for developers than consumers, but Apple is putting together some interesting tricks to make ad-supported apps better. This includes in-app interactive advertising, as well as the ability to purchase products (and other apps) direct from an ad.
Game Center Watch out, plus+. Apple has noticed that quite a few of us play a lot of games. Apple’s Game Center is an Xbox Live-type service, with achievements, leaderboards, and match making.

All in all, it looks like quite a solid line-up for OS 4.0. But what about older iPhones?

Apple has done a fantastic job of making sure legacy iPhones are kept up to date with the latest operating system. The original iPhone 2G, released 3 years ago now, can still run the latest iPhone OS 3.1.3. Of course we knew that would not last forever. With iPhone OS 4.0, only the latest devices (the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation iPod touch) will be able to access all the features.

Who’s looking forward to the summer now?

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