Review: iOS 4.0 On My iPhone 3GS

With all of this iPhone 4 buzz I couldn’t resist installing iOS 4.0 on my iPhone 3GS today.

First impressions

  • iOS 4.0 seems faster. A few flicks from screen to screen and I noticed a difference. All in my head? Maybe, maybe not.
  • Multi-tasking is amazing. Double tap the home button and a custom list of apps appears at the bottom of the screen. (can’t wait for this on the iPad!)
  • Folders are a fantastic feature. Simply drag the apps you want into a specific folder and they appear. You can quickly return to the home screen view, no lag, no back button, just tap off to the side or slide the folder shut.
  • Threaded messages in Mail and a unified inbox system. Incredible and about time!
  • Screen orientation lock. Instead of a hardware button like on the iPad it’s an icon in the multi-tasking menu.
  • Skip/Play/Next iPod options in the multi-task menu make quick song switching a breeze without having to leave the running app.
  • You can now zoom when using the Camera which is a nice touch as well.
  • Google Maps has been updated. It seems more responsive. As well as a few icon changes.
  • The inclusion of GameCenter app is pretty neat for those who actually play iPhone games.
  • Another great new feature is the ability to click Listen when you receive a Voicemail notification.

Overall, iOS 4.0 looks to be a very impressive and long awaited upgrade for the iPhone.

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Vincent H.
Vincent H.
15 years ago

I've been playing with it for the last 36 hours and:
1- It really look faster on my phone
2- I'm missing the double tap to reach my favorite phone number and call them fast
3- The application needs to be recompile with 4.0 SDK in order to stay “open” when in background, if not when you switch between them, they only reopen.
4- We should be able to “exclude” an account from the unified inbox…I have 6 accounts and I don't want my work email to be with my other email.

Question: how do you use with the camera ? I'm trying to “pinch” and it doesn't work

Great upgrade!

Vincent

Roger
Roger
15 years ago

Is there any indication if Mobile Safari supports extensions in iOS 4, like the new Safari 5 for OS X does?

Christopher Aceto
15 years ago

When you tap the screen with the Camera running a slider appears with a + / – on it. Simply drag the slider up or down to zoom.

As far as the multi-tasking goes, you are correct in that it is currently not truly “running” the app simultaneously. Once the apps are updated using 4.0SDK it will work as it should. However, even as it is now, the ability to quickly switch between apps is far better than having to close them and slide through pages of homescreens to open another app.

xxJDxx
xxJDxx
15 years ago

Where can we get iOS4?

JP
JP
15 years ago

Can you set custom tones for text/email on iOS4? It is killing me that still the only way to do this is to jailbreak your iPhone.

Xaroc
Xaroc
15 years ago

no new sounds, or options. that is still a jail breaking add-on sadly.
i was watching for that throughout the entire beta testing.

Xaroc
Xaroc
15 years ago

Itunes June 24th. Only Developers and us with special privileges can get it.
there is “Other” ways to get it, but you will have to google that yourself myfriend

Xaroc
Xaroc
15 years ago

I have used Every Beta starting from 1.
The first thing i noticed is Games that seemed to lag at specific spots have really cleared up (3Gs)
Example: Final Fantasy. In towns with Water it really got choppy, in iOS4 is not nearly as choppy anymore, they have really found a way to give your 3Gs that extra kick

François LR
François LR
15 years ago

Does iCal finally have a Week view, like in iCal on a laptop ? I miss that view on my iPhone. That's the one I use most. 🙁

Xaroc
Xaroc
15 years ago

No. Same as before

Chritopher Aceto
Chritopher Aceto
15 years ago

In order to get iOS 4.0 on your iDevice you will need to install itunes beta 9.2 and restore your device using the appropriate iOS4 ipsw.

I will post instructions and links shortly!

Ex
Ex
15 years ago

Chris,

iOS4 requires a registered UDID in the devloper portal. Be mindful of
posting links and instructions before the official release, which is
when everyone can do it.

Many people may attempt to install iOS4 and severly damage their device.

Thank you

– iPhoneinCanada.ca Administration

Gary
15 years ago

We should refrain from posting links on how to install iOS 4.0 on unregistered devices here. Thanks Chris 🙂

Gary
15 years ago

Everytime Apple releases an iOS update, it's super exciting. Compared to the past, software updates rarely would ever add new features or make your phone faster. I would always buy a new phone every 6 months!

Vincent H.
Vincent H.
15 years ago

Well, that's not true for the GM build 🙂

Ex
Ex
15 years ago

No matter.

The links have not been made public by Apple. Until then, links will
not be posted here.

Thank you

lello91
lello91
15 years ago

Having posts on how to jailbreak your device is any more legal then posting on how to install a torrent based iOs 4? lol

Randy
Randy
15 years ago

Chris, I've heard some people say that iOS4 does not have “true” multi-tasking (whatever that means) and in your article, you mention that a “custom list” of apps appears.

Can you expand a little further? It's one of the biggest selling points for me, and I'd like to understand exactly how it works.

Cheers!

JonnyGerman
JonnyGerman
15 years ago

What about improvements to the Camera Roll? Sure would be nice to be able to actually create Albums in the app!

x00carly
x00carly
15 years ago

Aww, I was really excited to have iOS 4.0 before everyone else 😉
There are step-by-step instructions on other websites…is it seriously harmful for my phone to be trying this? I'm far from a professional. If it's going to damage my phone, I'll wait. What do you think?

 iPhone App Reviews
15 years ago

This post very informative,Thanks

 iPhone App Reviews
15 years ago

This post very informative,Thanks

Madibaman
Madibaman
15 years ago

If I were to upgrade my 3GS – currently at 3.1 – to iOS4, will it still remain unlocked or would I be doing something I'll regret? Thanks!

Madibaman
Madibaman
15 years ago

It's not jailbroken, by the way, merely unlocked. Hong Kong version.

Rochii Mireasa Iasi
15 years ago

Thank you for this reviwe.
I have a (old now) Iphone3gs and until I will buy IPhone 5(IPhone 4 is too early for me), I will try
this day an upgrade for my iPhone.

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