iPhone OS 4: Hidden Features

BY Andy

Published 12 Apr 2010

iPhone OS 4.0 features

When Steve Jobs gave us a preview of Apple's next generation iPhone OS – iPhone OS 4, he talked about only 7 major features such as multitasking, folders, better mail app, iBooks, New Enterprise features, Game Centre and iAd out of the 100 new features. 

But the fun part is to discover the features that Apple didn't mention. So in case you haven't stumbled upon them already, checkout some of the hidden features in iPhone OS 4.

We have already reported features such as ability to search for content on the web and Wikipedia directly from Spotlight, iPad-like spell checker, 5x digital zoom, Bluetooth Keyboard support, custom homescreen wallpaper and more. 

As developers dig deeper into iPhone OS 4 beta, many more features are coming to light. Here is a list of the new features discovered so far. 

Cellular Data Toggling: You have an option to toggle cellular data on or off. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Messages Character Count: You can turn on the 'Character Count' option in Messages Settings in order to keep a tab on the number of characters while typing a message. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Text Messages Search: iPhone OS 4 extends the iPhone's inbox search feature to text messages. You can finally search through your SMS messages. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Camera Zooming: As reported earlier, users taking a picture from their iPhone will now see a sliding bar at the bottom of the screen to zoom in and out while taking a picture (up to 5x digital zoom). Alternately, tapping on the screen will also allow users to zoom in and out while taking a picture. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Web and Wikipedia Search: As we had reported earlier, the global search screen on the iPhone now has two additional options – 'Search Web' and 'Search Wikipedia' to let users directly search for content on the web and Wikipedia. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Document Border: Previewing documents on the iPhone will now display these files without the borders. This is expected to help squeeze in an additional pixel or two of content. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Add New Contacts: The Contact window on the iPhone looks more streamlined in iPhone OS 4 allowing users to enter more details about the contact without navigating away from the main screen. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

iPhoto Syncing: iPhoto users can sync their photos to the iPhone via Events, Faces and Places. This will work for the iPad too. 

Lyrics Data Toggling: A new global toggling option gives you the ability to turn the display of lyrics on or off. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Photo Resize Option: Users sending large-size image files via email can choose to resize the photo on the go by selecting from the four different file size options. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Add Playlist: The current on-the-go playlists will be replaced by the 'Add Playlist' option in iPhone OS 4 that will be automatically synced back to the users' iTunes account. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Album Info: Browsing albums have traditionally displayed the tracks and the shuffle option. You can view the album thumbnail, track count, length of tracks and album release date. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Location Services For Apps: You can enable or disable location services for each location based apps via Settings -> Location Services. Also, you also get visibility on the apps that have most recently accessed this information using the compass arrow icon.

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Email Threading:  You can organize emails by thread in the Mail app just like in Gmail. Email threading option can be turned on or off via Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendar and turn on or off the 'Organize By Thread' toggle (this feature was demoed during the iPhone OS 4 event, the screenshot shows you how it can be enabled). 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Longer Passcodes: Passcodes will no longer be limited to just 4 numbers. You can set a more secure alphanumeric and longer passcode for your iPhone. You can currently use the iPhone Configuration utility to achieve this. 

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Alerts On App Folders: iPhone OS 4 gives you the ability to sort apps into folders. When any of the apps inside a folder receives an alert, you'll be informed of the same with an exclamation point over the main folder icon.

iPhone OS 4.0 features

Update:

iPhone OS 4.0 Brings Gmail Archive Feature to iPhone's Mail App

Please don't forget to drop us a line in the comment section below to tell us which hidden feature you liked the most from this list.

[via Gizmodo]