Apple's iOS 4 Explored
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 22, 2010 3:27 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Apple
- iOS 4
- Gadgets
- Mobile
Mail now supports threading, which is both useful and painful in its implementation. When enabled (it is by default), all replies to an original message are grouped together and identified by a single listing with a number to the right of the message. The number indicates how many messages are stored in that thread. Selecting the message from your inbox will take you to a listing of all of the messages in the threads. You tap once more to select the message you want and view its contents.
This is absolutely great for very long email threads. It can be a burden as well. Just reading the latest message in a thread now requires two taps instead of one. You can always turn the feature off but to me I find that it’s useful enough to keep on despite the added tap.
Deleting an entire thread is as simple as swiping the single message in your normal inbox view.
Apple also finally enabled a combined inbox that will dump all of your emails regardless of account into one easy to access place.
You can now also specify a default account for Notes which are synced wirelessly just like an IMAP email account.
iOS Exchange Support
Among the iOS 4 updates is support for multiple exchange accounts. Previously, users could only add one exchange account for email, contacts, and calendars. Now, users can add additional and have all of the exchange information show up in the calendar, contacts, and mail application.
We added three exchange accounts successfully and found that calendars and contacts were pulled down into discrete categories as expected. For calendars, you can see color codes for all the different events on each calendar:
Similarly, for contacts:
And finally the unified inbox for all three exchange accounts, and discrete inboxes:
In case you’re wondering how iOS deals with exchange accounts that may have different security policies, the answer is simple; the most stringent policies are chosen and enforced.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
46 Comments
View All Comments
SunSamurai - Friday, June 25, 2010 - link
Get over it. Its either ads or no free apps.robco - Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - link
AdMob isn't blocked from the iPhone, nor does Apple have a monopoly. Since AdMob is owned by Google, a major competitor with Android, there are some analytics Apple won't allow AdMob to access. If you think about it, this makes perfect sense, why give a competitor access to information on potential customers (who are presently your customers)? Developers can still use AdMob if they wish, they just won't get as much data.So far I haven't had many issues. I think we're still waiting for developers to catch up to the new OS. But it works like a charm on my 3GS. Folders is a little clunky, but I'm happy not to have to swipe across multiple home screens to access apps. As for the iPhone 4, the only real compelling feature for me is the new camera with flash. Since I have a 3GS, I'd have to pay through the nose to "upgrade" and I won't do that until LTE is rolled out and the iPhone supports it. Oh, and it's available on a network that isn't AT&T.
Android is looking good, but Google does a horrible job with UI. I know they have UI designers working there, but it appears nobody at Google listens to them. Stock Android looks like Windows 3.1.
anandtech02148 - Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - link
iAds sounds yuck, i'll keep my 3GS and the old os3xxx. another reason why iphone 3gs is so popular because it has a pirate community, reminder to the pc system where you where you have a vibrant thriving hacking community for warez, gamez,. apzz., Google Droid can go to hell, a billion dollars in marketing from verizon won't save you.. Look at Google trying to get back into China. what will hapen to Symbian ^3? nokia N8 looks appealing from hardware standpoint..but their software really needs refresing idea like Palm OS. Intel and Nokia are great hardware companies but software they really need a saviour.haplo602 - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - link
wow, so Apple is finaly introducing basic features into it's sofware ... how suprising and inovative ...seriously ... I gave up in the middle of the article. there's nothing interesting in it. just the shock at people thanking Apple for providing basic features (ipod playlists FINALY editable, now that's groundbreaking).
my age old HTC Herald can do all these things already a few years. Sure the HW is old and slow, but the functionality is still there.
Death666Angel - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - link
That a customer (and tech reviewer) can (blindly?) trust a company that is worth over half a trillion USD to look out for him is astonishingly naive, stupid, or malicious, possibly all 3 and even more.A company that has a proven record of shady decisions (we will ban this app, oh wait, it gets media attention, let's actually allow it!), shady handling of the press (accidental leaks, rumors, investigations), shady handling of its competition (violating patents, very closed system) should have the end users best interest at heart? Are you insane?
After reading this and the Froyo article, I have deleted my AT bookmark and will refrain from coming here in the future.
Good bye
buyaofeichu - Friday, June 25, 2010 - link
(nike-alliance).(com),Inc. We are the best online dealer,about all kinds of nike.run retailing and wholesale trade wordwidely for years. Free Shipping And Customs,Super Sale Off Retailing,With 1Week Delivery to your door.jk