An update to the iPhone OS was announced at a special Apple event held Thursday, April 8, 2010. iPhone OS 4.0 was released as a developer preview with the OS shipping to consumers in June. A version for the iPad is scheduled for the fall. Apple announced 100 new user features and the media event focused on seven key features, most of which enhance the iPhone's business capabilities.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html http://gizmodo.com/5512635/iphone-os-40-all-the-new-features

Some of the most important new features for IT administrators and business professionals include multitasking, background VoIP, updated email capability, data protection and remote iPhone management features. Other features that may appeal more to average consumers include a 5x digital zoom for the camera, a spell-check feature, customizable home and lock screen wallpaper and the ability to rotate photos.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html

The lack of multitasking has been pointed to as a weakness in the iPhone by competitors, but Steve Jobs and Apple have stressed stability over everything else. With the introduction of the iPad, multitasking was seen as an inevitability and it arrives in version 4.0. Users can double-click the iPhone home button and the device will display the currently running applications. Jobs demonstrated as many as 12 apps running simultaneously during the media launch.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html

Users will now be able to use apps such as Skype, being actively engaged in a VoIP phone call while continuing to activate other apps and functions. Apple achieves this through changes in how audio is handled and multitasking functionality. This change is likely to be embraced by businesses who are moving more toward VoIP solutions for their communications.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html

Apple introduces a unified inbox with iPhone 4.0. Multiple email accounts will display as a single inbox, so users will no longer have to switch between several inboxes. Apple has also made it easier to switch between inboxes for those who wish to do so. Users can also connect the iPhone to multiple Exchange Server accounts. Messages can now be organized by thread, making conversations easier to follow and attachments will be able to be opened in third-party apps.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html

iPhone 4.0 adds security protections essential for business use. All email and email attachments can be encrypted and locked with PIN codes to prevent unauthorized access.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html

New management features include the ability to deploy and manage the devices remotely. IT administrators will also be allowed to push custom business applications wirelessly instead of syncing through iTunes.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193851/iphone_os_40_makes_iphone_a_business_contender.html

iPhone OS is the operating system for the iPhone, iPod touch, and new iPad tablet from Apple Inc. Version 3.1 of the iPhone OS was announced on September 9, 2009 and was updated to 3.1.2 on October 8, 2009. An update to version 3.2 was released with the iPad in early 2010.http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/iphone-os-3-1-2-update-now-live-fixes-sleep-network-issues/ Over 140,000 applications are officially available for the OS.http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/11/04appstore.html