iPhone 4 - Features List

iPhone 4 - features list: details

Integrated social media, all in one place

Social Media services are available as Apps, such as Facebook and Twitter, which allow you to do all the usual tasks from your phone. They are not integrated, but you get to keep most of the functionality of each service within the Apps.

Automatic collation of all contact details

Contacts cannot be added directly from emails, Facebook or other social media sources, although phone numbers displayed within Apps or online can be called directly by tapping.

Inbuilt music player

The iPhone has always come with an iPod 'App' allowing you to use the phone as you would an iPod.

Radio

Radio streaming apps are available, as are subscription services such as Spotify.

Camera (with flash)

The iPhone 4 is the first iPhone with a flash, and the 5 megapixel camera also comes with a 5x digital zoom. The two-way camera also allows for video calls.

Pictures

Photos are displayed in the 'Photos' app, in the 'Camera Roll' folder by default. Downloaded images are also added to the 'Photos' app, and although any image can be used as wallpaper, the default wallpaper designs are only found within settings.

Multiple email accounts directed to the same inbox

Features multiple accounts and a combined inbox. Easily works with Exchange accounts and offers improved security with the addition of pin and password options, as well as the remote wipe feature should your phone fall into the wrong hands. Exchange auto-discovery and Global Address List look up are available.

Email

Limited to a set number of messages (25, 50 or 100), and with some web based email service messages read elsewhere can still be marked 'unread' on the iPhone. Works with Exchange.

Calendar syncing (Google / Exchange)

Happily syncs with Google, Exchange and other calendar types.

Internet browsing

The iPhone Safari browser is still speedy and displays web pages effectively. Still no Flash support.

Maps with local, useful information

Uses Google maps, satellite or map view, and you can use the compass to rotate the map in relation to the direction of travel. Offers routes for cars, pedestrians or public transport.  Other map/sat nav apps available from the App Store.

Office applications pre-installed

Apps available to integrate with MS Office/iWork. None supplied as default.

Application multitasking

Yes - this function is newly added for iPhone 4. Unfortunately this is not fully functional with all third party apps yet.

Copy and paste

Yes

Non-disruptive new message alerts

Big message/missed call alert in centre of screen. Option to preview first few lines of message. This can be disruptive if you are in the middle of another task.

Flash compatibility

No

HTML5 compatibility

Yes

Preview info on the homepage

The pages are still in the same iPhone style of lists of Apps, although these can be rearranged or put into folders for ease of navigation. It is possible to allow Apps to send you push notifications (about new messages for example), and display 'badges' (usually a number indicating number of new messages/alerts etc.).

Updating/Syncing

Syncs with either Mac or PC, and all syncing occurs through iTunes. USB only syncing at present.

User interface

The iPhone interface has always been intuitive, and the small changes of OS4 don't present any problems. The structure with pages of apps is the same, but you can now 'tidy up' by creating 'folders'. Multi Tasking is now available, press and hold home and scroll through apps at the base of the screen.

Navigation

Home button, power, volume rocker and silent switch. Scroll through pages of apps, or pin favourites to dock. Simple and intuitive.

Settings

In-App settings and some App-specific settings in the Global Settings App. Slightly confusing.

Games

Games run well and there are a lot of games available in the App Store. Improved video quality may lead to more graphically intensive games being developed.

Marketplace / App Store

The App Store allows for searches and browsing of 'top' lists (top free, and top paid). Apps only available from the App Store.