iOS 4.0 - 4.3.5

The iOS 4.0 was introduced with the iPhone 4. The iPhone 2G and the iPod Touch (1st gen) were no longer supported and were left out of this update. The iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch (2nd gen) could be updated, but have feature limitations. The iPhone 3GS and the iPod Touch (3rd generation) could be updated and support all features.

What's new (list not exhaustive):

• Homescreen wallpapers
• Folder organization of the homescreen icons
• Multitasking and fast app switching
• Google/Wikipedia search in Spotlight
• Bluetooth keyboard pairing support
• SMS character counter
• SMS search
• Email threading
• Unified Email inbox
• Email archiving is now available when you setup Gmail
• Spell checker
• iPod music player can now create, edit and delete playlists
• 5x digital zoom in still camera
• Touch-focus in video capture (for video enabled iPhones)
• Keyboard layouts span over QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY
• Minor icon design facelifts
• FaceTime video call support (only for the latest then iPhone 4, only over Wi-Fi, and only to other FaceTime users)
• iBooks e-book and PDF reader

The iOS 4.1 brings the following changes (list not exhaustive):

• Fixes iPhone 4 proximity sensor issues.
• Fixes Bluetooth connectivity issues.
• Fixes iPhone 3G performance issues under iOS 4.x.
• Adds High dynamic range camera mode (only to the iPhone 4).

The iOS 4.2 brings the following changes (list not exhaustive):

• Introduces AirPlay, which offers wireless Wi-Fi streaming for video, music, and photos (requires an Apple TV).
• Introduces AirPrint, which offers wireless printing
• Adds text search on web pages in Safari.
• Delivers iOS 4 features to the iPad (multitasking, folders, etc.).
• The Physical iPad screen rotation lock switch is converted into a sound/silent switch in iOS 4.2 (just like on the iPhones), with a virtual screen rotation lock switch added to the multitasking tray.
• The multitasking tray on the iPhone and iPod Touch gets volume controls and AirPlay controls.
• Adds the ability to initiate FaceTime calls to the Voice control.

The iOS 4.2.1 brings the following changes (list not exhaustive):

• Find My iPhone remote management feature becomes free for updated devices (iPhone 4, iPod Touch (4th gen), & iPad).

The iPhone OS 4.2.5 was introduced only on the CDMA iPhone 4 sold by Verizon. It has an exclusive Personal Hotspot feature, allowing the iPhone to turn into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

The iOS 4.3 was presented along with the iPad 2 and it brings the following changes for the whole family (list not exhaustive):

• AirPlay video support for third party apps (requires an Apple TV).
• Improved Safari performance with the new "Nitro" JavaScript engine.
• Ability to switch on automatic downloads (for iTunes Music and App Store applications).
• Ability to cancel and delete an app, which is still downloading.
• Stream from an iTunes library to iOS using Home Sharing.
• Personal Hotspot feature (Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 5 simultaneous devices) on supported carriers. (GSM iPhone 4 only)
• Ability to choose function of iPad's physical switch between rotation lock or mute.
• Photo Booth & FaceTime app (iPad 2 only).

Related Terms:

OS (Operating System)

Apple iOS

Apple iOS 1

Apple iOS 2

Apple iOS 3

Apple iOS 3.2 (iPad Only)

Apple iOS 5

Apple iOS 6

Apple iOS 7

Apple iOS 8

Apple iOS 9

Apple iOS 10

Apple iOS 11

Apple iOS 12