iOS 4
Version of the iOS operating system
iOS 4 home screen
DeveloperApple Inc.
Source modelClosed, with open source components
Initial releaseJune 21, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-06-21)
Latest release
iPhone 3G, iPod Touch (2nd generation)

4.2.1 (November 22, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-11-22)) [±]

iPhone 4 (CDMA)

4.2.10 (July 25, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-07-25)) [±]

iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM), iPod Touch (3rd generation), iPod Touch (4th generation), iPad (1st generation), iPad 2
4.3.5 (July 25, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-07-25)) [±]
Platforms
iPhone

iPod Touch

iPad

Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
LicenseProprietary EULA except for open-source components
Preceded byiPhone OS 3
Succeeded byiOS 5
Official websiteApple - iPhone - New features in the iOS 4 Software Update at the Wayback Machine (archived June 30, 2010)
Support status
Obsolete, unsupported

iOS 4 is the fourth major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc., being the successor to iPhone OS 3. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, 2010, and was released on June 21, 2010. iOS 4 is the first iOS version issued under the "iOS" rebranding, dropping the "iPhone OS" naming convention of previous versions. It was succeeded by iOS 5 on October 12, 2011.[1]

iOS 4 introduced folders on the home screen, significantly increasing the number of apps that can be displayed. Support for custom wallpapers was also added, although limited to newer devices due to animation performance requirements. The operating system also added a multitasking feature, letting apps dealing with Internet calling, location and audio playback function in the background, whereas a similar but more restricted "Fast App Switching" technology enabled any app to be left inactive in the background while users switch to other apps. iOS 4 also added a system-wide spell checking feature, enabled iBooks on iPhone, unified the Mail inbox to combine content from different email providers, and introduced both Game Center for social gaming and FaceTime for video calling.

The iOS 4 update introduced performance and battery problems on iPhone 3G devices, with Apple investigating the matter and promising then-upcoming updates. However, the company became the subject of a lawsuit from an unsatisfied customer over the issues. Around the same time, the release of iPhone 4 and its subsequent antenna problems made Apple focus on unsuccessfully attempting to patch the issues with software updates.

Apps

History

iOS 4 was introduced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference keynote address on June 7, 2010. Notably, it was the first iOS release to be named simply "iOS", ending the "iPhone OS" naming pattern of previous versions.[2]

iOS 4 was officially released on June 21, 2010.[2]

Updates

Version Release date Notes
4.0 June 21, 2010[2] Initial release
4.0.1 July 15, 2010 Carrier signal strength calculation method changed, after Antennagate[3]
4.0.2 August 11, 2010 Security fix for an exploit taking advantage of PDF file format vulnerabilities.[4]
4.1 September 8, 2010 Initial release on iPod Touch (4th generation); new features:
4.2.1[b] November 22, 2010[7] Initial release for iPad;[8] last version to run on iPhone 3G and iPod touch (2nd generation) due to hardware and performance issues.
4.2.5 January 11, 2011 Initial release on iPhone 4 (CDMA model). Exclusive to this device; Wi-Fi hotspot support[9]
4.2.6[c] January 31, 2011 Bug fixes for Wi-Fi hotspot
4.3 March 4, 2011 Initial release on iPad 2; unavailable on iPhone 4 (CDMA); new features include support for personal Wi-Fi hotspots, iTunes home sharing, improvements to AirPlay, and other minor improvements[10][11]
4.3.1 March 25, 2011 fix for iPod Touch screen glitches; stability improvements for cellular connectivity on iPhone models[12]
4.3.2
4.2.7[c] 		April 14, 2011 Fixes for frozen calls on FaceTime and connectivity issues on cellular models of iPad[13]
4.3.3
4.2.8[c] 		May 4, 2011 Fixes for location service[14]
4.3.4
4.2.9[c] 		July 15, 2011 Security fixes[15]
4.3.5
4.2.10[c] 		July 25, 2011 Security update to fix certificate validation[16]
  1. ^ Unavailable on iPhone 3G and iPod touch (2nd generation)
  2. ^ No public release of iOS 4.2 is available, due to an issue that impacted Wi-Fi functionality on the iPad.[6]
  3. ^ a b c d e iPhone 4 (CDMA) only

System features

Home screen

iOS 4 raised the maximum number of home screen apps from 180 to 2,160 due to the addition of folders. These folders would automatically be named based on the containing apps' respective App Store category.[17] The ability to add custom wallpapers to the home screen was also added, though the feature was notably absent from iPhone 3G and the second-generation iPod Touch due to poor performance of icon animations.[18]

Multitasking

iOS 4 introduced multitasking. The feature allowed users to switch between apps instantly by double-clicking the home button. It was implemented in such a way that did not cause excessive battery drain. Multitasking was limited to apps dealing with Internet calling, location, and audio playback, while a similar "Fast App Switching" technology meant users could leave an app and enter another, with the original app remaining in the background until the user returns.[19][20] This feature was notably absent from iPhone 3G and the second-generation iPod Touch due to performance issues.

Spell check

iOS 4 introduced a spell checking feature that underlined misspelled words in red. Tapping on the word would provide a pop-up with a recommended replacement.[21]

Camera

The Camera app could take pictures with 5x digital zoom.[22]

App features

iBooks

iOS 4 introduced iPhone and iPod Touch support in iBooks, which was already included on iPad. Though not a default app, it was available through App Store.[23]

Mail

The Mail app featured a unified inbox on iOS 4, allowing users to see messages from all of their email accounts displayed together in a single inbox.[24] It also gained support for MobileMe e-mail aliases and multiple Exchange accounts for business users.[19]

Game Center

iOS 4.1 added a new app called Game Center, an online multiplayer social gaming network, which allows users to invite friends to play games and to compare their scores on a leaderboard.[25][26] It was not available on the iPhone 3G.[26]

FaceTime

iOS 4 introduced FaceTime, a videotelephony app that uses the device's camera to allow the user to make video calls with other FaceTime users.[27] This feature was absent from the iPhone 3G, second-generation iPod Touch, iPhone 3GS, and third-generation iPod Touch due to the lack of required features, such as a front-facing camera.

Safari

The Safari mobile web browser on iOS 4 added Bing as a search option in addition to Google and Yahoo!.[28] Beginning with iOS 4.2.1, specific words or phrases on a page could searched.[29]

Problems

Performance and battery issues

iPhone 3G users reported performance and battery issues after upgrading to iOS 4. Apple started an investigation of the matter in July 2010.[30] In November, Apple was sued for the issues, with an unsatisfied customer alleging "violating the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, unfair business practices, and false and deceptive advertising", with further allegations that Apple knew its software would cause problems on older models. Apple never responded to the allegations, but wrote in a reply to another unsatisfied customer in August 2010 that updates were "coming soon".[31][32]

Alarm clock

In all versions of iOS 4, the alarm clock in the clock app had a problem in DST when it would go off an hour too early or too late.[33]

Antenna problems

Upon its release, some iPhone 4 users reported having technical problems with the phone's antennas.[34] Apple attempted to fix the issue with iOS 4.0.1,[35] but failed to do so.[36]

Supported devices

The first-generation iPhone and the first-generation iPod Touch cannot run iOS 4 and above due to hardware limitations. This marked the first time Apple dropped support for older devices.[19]

References

  1. ^ Hardawar, Devindra (October 12, 2011). "iOS 5 available now, makes the iPhone 4 feel completely new". VentureBeat. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Patel, Nilay (June 7, 2010). "iPhone OS 4 renamed iOS 4, launching June 21 with 1500 new features". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Chartier, David (July 15, 2010). "Apple releases iOS 4.0.1 with new iPhone signal formula". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Sande, Steven (August 11, 2010). "iOS 4.0.2 for iPhone/iPod touch, iOS 3.2.2 updates available now". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  5. ^ Slivka, Eric (September 8, 2010). "Apple Releases iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod Touch". MacRumors. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  6. ^ Moren, Dan (November 12, 2010). "iOS 4.2 arrival near? All signs point to yes". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  7. ^ Caldwell, Serenity (November 18, 2010). "Apple releases iOS 4.2.1 GM to developers". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  8. ^ Snell, Jason (November 22, 2010). "Apple releases iOS 4.2.1". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  9. ^ "Apple's new CDMA iPhone has built-in Wi-Fi hotspot with iOS 4.2.5". AppleInsider. January 11, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  10. ^ Rawson, Chris (March 4, 2011). "iOS 4.3 brings a handful of new features and new headaches". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  11. ^ "iOS: A visual history". The Verge. Vox Media. September 16, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  12. ^ Cheng, Jacqui (March 25, 2011). "iOS 4.3.1 fixes iPod touch graphics glitch, TV flickering issue". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  13. ^ Friedman, Lex (April 14, 2011). "Apple releases iOS 4.3.2, fixes FaceTime, 3G issues". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  14. ^ Moren, Dan (May 4, 2011). "Apple releases iOS 4.3.3 to patch location bugs". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  15. ^ White, Charlie (July 15, 2011). "Apple iOS 4.3.4 Update Available, Prevents Hacking & Jailbreaking". Mashable. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  16. ^ Friedman, Lex (July 25, 2011). "Apple releases iOS 4.3.5 to fix certificate validation". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  17. ^ Frakes, Dan (June 21, 2010). "Hands on with iOS 4 folders". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  18. ^ Slivka, Eric (June 22, 2010). "Steve Jobs on Lack of Custom Wallpapers in iOS 4 for iPhone 3G". MacRumors. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  19. ^ a b c "iOS 4: What you need to know". Macworld. International Data Group. June 21, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  20. ^ Newman, Jared (June 22, 2010). "Multitasking With iOS 4 is Horrible: Apple Blew It". PC World. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  21. ^ Ritchie, Rene (July 13, 2010). "iOS 4 features: Spell-check and text replace". iMore. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  22. ^ Ionescu, Daniel (June 21, 2010). "Apple iOS 4: 10 Best Features". PC World. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  23. ^ Brownlee, John (June 21, 2010). "iOS 4, iBooks for iPhone Now Available For Download". Cult of Mac. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  24. ^ Ritchie, Rene (June 14, 2010). "iOS 4 review". iMore. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  25. ^ Holt, Chris (September 1, 2010). "iOS 4.1's Game Center to hit iPhone next week". Macworld. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  26. ^ a b Grant, Christopher (September 8, 2010). "Download iOS 4.1 now, get Game Center (on your compatible iProduct)". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  27. ^ Dormehl, Luke (June 21, 2017). "Today in Apple history: iOS 4 brings multitasking and FaceTime". Cult of Mac. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  28. ^ Sterling, Greg (June 7, 2010). "Bing Goes The iPhone". Search Engine Land. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  29. ^ Ritchie, Rene (September 16, 2010). "iOS 4.2 features: Find text on Safari web page". iMore. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  30. ^ Ogg, Erica (July 28, 2010). "Apple to investigate iOS 4 problems on iPhone 3G". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  31. ^ Ogg, Erica (August 20, 2010). "Slow iPhone 3G? iOS update could be on the way". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  32. ^ Ogg, Erica (November 4, 2010). "Apple sued for iOS 4 problems on iPhone 3G, 3GS". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  33. ^ Beaumont, Claudine (November 1, 2010). "Apple iPhone 4 alarm clock bug makes scores late for work". The Daily Telegraph.
  34. ^ Chen, Brian X. (July 2, 2010). "Tests confirm iPhone 4's antenna flaws (Updated)". Wired. Condé Nast. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  35. ^ Dilger, Daniel Eran (June 25, 2010). "Death Grip hysteria may end Monday with iOS 4.01". AppleInsider. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  36. ^ Ionescu, Daniel (July 17, 2010). "Apple's iPhone 4 Antennagate Timeline". PC World. International Data Group. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
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