The iPhone 3.0 countdown is officially on: Apple has announced plans to reveal the next generation of its iPhone operating system at a media event next Tuesday.
While the company's keeping up its usual wall of mystique, we've compiled a list of some of the most discussed features users want to see.
1. Push Notification
One of the longest-running requests, push notification has been discussed since last summer. The system, which would let apps receive information from Apple servers even while they're not actively running (think IM programs), was set to debut last September. The missed deadline led to speculation that the feature might be dead in the water. So could push notification finally make the cut for iPhone 3.0?
"It seems that it would be a high priority from a competitive standpoint," notes Dan Hays, a mobile industry expert who serves as director of PRTM Management Consultants. "That's definitely one of the big opportunities for Apple."
2. Adobe Flash Support
After on-again, off-again development, support for Adobe Flash has continued to evade iPhone users, often proving for many to be one of the device's most annoying omissions. Aside from the "technical challenge" said to be presented with placing Flash on the iPhone, politics seem to play a big part in its absence. There's always hope, but you may not want to hold your breath on this one just yet.
3. Advanced Bluetooth Functionality
Many fans of the iPhone have been asking for expanded functionality in the Bluetooth realm -- you know, the ability to perform tasks like file-sharing or wireless keyboard connecting. This could be one of the simpler features to implement in the iPhone OS, yet it may not be at the top of Apple's list.
"It's not clear to me that it would be a big driver of additional sales," Hays points out. The speed of Bluetooth, he says, limits the practicality of its transfer power. "I would see it as something that they might be likely to do, but not necessarily a high priority."
4. Copy and Paste Options
I suspect almost all iPhone users would get on-board with the idea of added copy, cut, and paste options within the platform. An odd omission in the first place, one would hope this basic ability will appear in the 3.0 release.
5. Background Processing
The much-requested multitasking support could actually have a shot in iPhone's 3.0 release. Apple has previously cited the risk of draining too much power and hurting performance as a hurdle for the addition. Rumours as recent as early February as recent as early February, however, suggest that 3.0 could be the turning point.
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