If Apple technology junkies weren’t already hyped about the release of the iPad, there is now even more to admire. The revolutionary iPhone4 was disclosed Tuesday, with a release date of June 24.
Unveiled at a Worldwide Development Conference in San Francisco, the iPhone 4 will be “the biggest leap since the original iPhone,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the conference.
“The FaceTime video calling sets a new standard for mobile communication, and our new retina display is the highest-resolution display ever in a phone, with text looking like it does on a fine printed page,” he said. “We have been dreaming about both of these breakthroughs for decades.”
FaceTime
With one camera on the front of the iPhone and another camera with LED flash on the back, it makes video calling between iPhone4 and iPhone4 over wifi easily accessible. The feature lets the user switch back and forth any time between a call.
Retina Display
The new pixel density, 326 pixels per inch, includes four times more pixels than earlier iPhone models, making text and graphics look smooth and continuous at any size. The same technology is used in the Apple LED Cinema Display and iPad.
Glass Screen
The retina glass display is strengthened to be more scratch-resistant and durable, made from the same materials used in helicopters and high-speed trains. It also features an oil-resistant coating that helps keep the screen clean.
Multitasking
The multitasking user interface allows the user to quickly switch between recently used apps. While listening to audio from compatible third-party apps, such as Pandora, the user can check email, surf the web and play games, as well as receive video calls from Skype. Apps that use GPS can continue to run in the background, constantly updating the user’s position and giving turn-by-turn directions even while listening to music.
HD Video
After recording a video in high definition, users with the $4.99 iMovie app can combine and edit video clips, add music and photos and share the finished product anywhere in the world.
The iPhone4 is run by the software iOS 4, an update that will be free to iPhone 3G and 3Gs users. The update will include more than 100 features including multitasking, 5X digital zoom, home screen wallpaper and the ability to focus while shooting a video.
Available in black or white, the iPhone4 will launch June 24 with a pre-order date of June 15. The 16GB retails at $199 and the 32GB at $299 with a two year AT&T contract.