Testers already report significant improvements compared to the first 4.0 beta

Apr 21, 2010 07:45 GMT  ·  By

Apple has updated its Dev Center with new builds of the iPhone OS 4 beta and SDK. The IPSW download is now at Build 8A248C and delivers fixes for some known issues and additional APIs for developers. A Modmyi forum user who has been able to download and test out the new beta claims to have noticed a cool transition between app switching, while the phone feels “a LOT smoother,” he writes.

Developers upgrading from Beta 1 to Beta 2 are being told to be cautious, as iTunes 9.1 does not support folder syncing. Code-savvy people enrolled with Apple’s program will also need to uninstall Apple Mobile Device Support & Apple Application Support, before proceeding with the installation. Users won’t be able to locate, lock, display messages or remote wipe data, as Apple has blocked access to the MobileMe features. A number of display, error, and configuration issues have reportedly been fixed. The beta adds enhanced support for Mail.app, greater multitasking time completion, media player adjustments, and more.

Back to the aforementioned forum poster’s impressions, ForumSnoBorderRK proceeded with outlining what he was able to find in the first hours of usage. Having already identified some bugs, but also some nicely addressed issues, the forum poster used color text to point out the changes. He has allegedly found two major bugs, which he describes as follows:

· “Definitely noticed one bug though- photos.app. It is all disarranged and screen shots arent [sic] being saved. thats [sic] a little weird, but I can live two weeks without it really effecting me. Screen shots can be taken through the developer's xcode. · “…the places tab in photos.app does not let you view the pictures taken sometimes. It only tells you how many and shows a tiny thumbnail.” · “…camera.app is totally messed up. does not save photos or videos, if you can even record a video.”

On the good side, the tester claims that the messages.app search function finally works. “When apps are clicked down, they are darker than normal, so you can distinguish better than you're hitting something;” “in photos.app, ‘places’ tab finally works;” “battery already seems like its [sic] not as bad as it was in beta 1;” “multitasking works a lot nicer than before;” ”gamecenter.app is remodeled a bit. looks cleaner;” “all apps load SIGNIFICANTLY faster;” “accessibility options in settings.app adds a font size feature to all of its apps.” A video of the iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 2 in action is also available below, courtesy of the same user.

iPhone DeveloperProgram members can log in here to download iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 2, as well as the appropriate SDK 4 beta 2.

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