Just a few days ago on the Apple released long-awaited and long-promised prshivku iOS 4. According to hype the event can be compared with the release of iPhone OS 2.0 firmware and the launch of App Store. Still, iPhone OS 3.x was passing and highly significant changes in themselves are not carried. The second firmware turn the phone into the device, and the fourth gave multitasking, support for folders and a lot of other less visible buns. Is it worth the hype it spent on users' time or they simply succumbed to the influence of PR-machine Apple - let's find out together in the course of the story about the first impressions of iOS 4. After all, first impressions are usually the brightest.
In my case, the guinea was a personal phone number and favorite work tool - iPhone 3GS. Installing the firmware held in the beginning of the first night on June 22, that is, within a few hours after its publication. It's funny that the first two attempts failed. iTunes could not get through to Apple server handing out digital signatures for the firmware. It turned out that the blame retouched file «hosts» in Mac OS X (reinsured on the safe side, entered the server Saurika... who know the theme firmware / pereproshivok / Ceyla - he will understand :)). Removed from it all superfluous, rewriting process has started, hurray!
After ten minutes of operation is successfully completed, the gadget was activated and I recovered from a backup. I note that the reflash the phone via the Restore option and not an update, since there was a jailbreak. Accordingly, it was necessary to recover from a backup. After that, right from the iTunes distributed into icons into folders. The result is very pleased. Actually, that's what eventually happened in comparison with 3.1.3:
The difference, as they say, on the face. Desktop pictures picked up from my screen used to lock the screen, although you can choose any at its discretion.
Naturally struck by new dock with a reflective substrate and animation accompanying appearance after unlocking desktop gadget. Dock leaves from the bottom, the icons are going smoothly in a heap from different angles - it looks spectacular. That he is, even now, took out his phone, unlocked, admired - a trifle, but nice.
They have been tested and folders. Create them like you can on the device itself or via iTunes. The names are automatically generated depending on the applications to be placed in the folder, although it is possible and to call it anything. In the same folder accommodates up to 12 applications. The entrance looks impressive, too: the screen is split, other icons are semi-transparent and open access to hidden within the games or programs. Among the features I note that sometimes the habit instead to move the icon by chance to form a new folder. But it is a matter of habit.
Next was tested multitasking mode. It really works, but not for all applications. At least, until the background leaving only the standard programs such as Notes, browser, "Settings", calculator and so on. D. For games, for example, switch between applications menu is a convenient launcher, not more. That is, you can double-click of the left button «Home» and quickly launch recently used program, without having to delve into folders, but if you close it, the background of it will remain. This requires a corresponding adaptation, which is now engaged in the majority of developers. Again, all decorated in a corporate style. Double-clicking on the «Home», the screen moves down upwards, opening the menu with the recently launched or hanging in the program memory. If you switch to another application within a certain program, it can be seen animated carousel effect.
No less important than the availability of folders or multitasking support for me personally was the iBooks app, which I greatly used on the iPad (see. our review) And wanted to get the same reading experience on the iPhone. Especially that there is support for syncing bookmarks between devices. Unfortunately, the dream will not come true. By continuing to use i2ReaderWhich, by the way, works great on iOS 4. On the reasons I explain below.
iBooks - this is a very beautiful app with chic design library, fascinating turning page animation, comfortable controls and interface in general. But the book on such a compact screen like the iPhone, without the support of hyphenation or even align with the width of the page, it is simply impossible to achieve normal formatting. As a result, suffer for a while with the iBooks, I finally decided to stay with i2Reader. But it is a matter of taste. Maybe on a magic Retina display on iPhone 4 "reader" from Apple will look better, but on iPhone 3GS is not impressive.
He drew attention to the ability to create playlists directly on your phone. A handy feature, and it is strange that it is implemented only now.
Also indulge with a touch-focus with video recording and digital zoom - funny, but I have camera phones are not common. Much more interested in the overall speed of the device, especially after the memories of the past "brakes" firmware iPhone OS 2.x compared to 1.x. On the iPhone 3GS until such has not been noticed. Works quickly steadily, it seems that some of the standard applications run even quicker and smarter than the old firmware. Probably due to the fact that they are "hang" in the phone's memory after closing. Subjectively, the faster the browser on heavy sites, but check it out, putting a number of iPhone 3GS with old firmware, it was not possible.
In general, the iOS 4 failed. I installed it and it seems to have received a new device. Apple has done a great job and once again pleased its fans and competitors made gnash their teeth. So thoughtful, "lick" and intuitive interface directly "out of the box" was still no one else. But Google does not sleep. Android from release to release becomes more beautiful and functional. Especially in a future version of the Internet giant plans to focus on bringing to mind the interface. Watch the fight monsters of modern IT-market will be interesting.