14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has issued a third beta release of iPhone OS 4.0 and Software Development Kit (SDK). Available only to developers registered with Apple, the new software fixes bugs and debuts a new iPod playback feature. An orientation lock has also been incorporated, to name a few noteworthy changes.
iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 3 is supported only on certain device models – iPhone 3G; iPhone 3GS; iPod touch 2nd generation; iPod touch 3rd generation. An appropriate IPSW file is offered based on the developer’s device. The SDK remains the same for everyone.
A first look at the software has revealed that Camera.app and Photos.app are now fully functional. According to a post at Modmyi.com, multitasking background expose has been changed from a dotted background to brushed metal, while saving photos from Safari works once again. The ability to take / save screenshots has also been reenabled. Other noteworthy tweaks are listed in the post.
AppleInsider also acknowledges some changes, while citing Gizmodo on a few important findings. Using a quote from the tech-site famous for tampering with an iPhone prototype, it reports that, “The new beta is ‘significantly more stable than prior beta builds’ with both screen shot functionality and camera features restored (neither were working in beta 2).” It adds that, “The new beta makes it easier to quit apps running in the multitasking drawer by giving each icon a red quit quit button, similar to the Home screen method of uninstalling apps with a touch.”
A widget controller (for iPod music playback), and the orientation lock are also acknowledged. The latter seems to work in a manner similar to that of the physical switch on iPad, AppleInsider reports.
World of Apple chimes in with a lengthy list of changes discovered after a few hours of usage. It revisits the seven major features originally announced for iPhone OS 4.0 (Multitasking; App Folders; Enhanced Mail app; iBooks for iPhone and iPod touch; Enhanced enterprise features; Game Center; iAd) and then proceeds to include a number of alluded features. The source also touts iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 3 as “a far more stable release,” and points out to the inclusion of a portrait orientation lock, which becomes accessible by double-clicking the home button and swiping until the user reaches the left end of the app tray. Enabling the lock forces the iPhone to stay in portrait mode, while the landscape view cannot be locked.