Apple rolls out new iPhone operating system – but not without glitches

Apple iPhone users can now update their gadgets with the new iOS4.0 software, which brings a number of long-awaited features including multitasking and folder organisation for apps.

But like previous Apple software updates, users have reported significant problems when updating. Some include wait times of more than one hour while waiting for the software to install, while others have found their backup files inadvertently deleted.

A number of discussion forums on the official Apple website cite problems with iOS4.0, with one topic titled “it has taken one hour to update, and not done yet”.

Another user wrote that “it’s been going for over an hour. I just finally stopped trying… hopefully Apple has some ideas”.

Another wrote they had been “stuck in the Backing Up phase for nearly two hours now, and the progress bar only shows about a 20th done (and has done since about five minutes after it started)”.

On the Whirlpool forums, one user wrote the download itself took over 45 minutes, while “the install was over 45 minutes post download”.

Tech experts say users should be prepared for a long wait while downloading the update, and should make sure they have their backup files ready in case anything happens during the updating process.

The software, now dubbed iOS4.0, is the company’s annual major update to the iPhone and iPod Touch. While there are periodic updates throughout the year with some minor fixes, the annual mid-year update traditionally introduces a number of new features.

Users can install the update by first upgrading their iTunes to version 9.2. When they connect their iPhone, they will be prompted at the iPhone screen to download the latest software.

This year, multitasking, folders, background pictures, a gyroscope and a universal mailbox are some of the biggest updates, while there are a number of smaller updates to the keyboard and inbuilt dictionary.

Multitasking is arguably the biggest update in the new software. This allows users to switch between apps on the fly, without having to close one program to open another.

This means users can quickly switch between two programs, or run features of one program while operating another. For example, users can stream a podcast from an app while browsing through Safari, while notifications from apps running in the background will also appear like any other message.

Audio directions from navigation software will continue to play while users operate another program, like the Google Maps native app.

Additionally, the folders function allows users to categorise their apps to save space. The universal mailbox also includes threaded conversations, like the native SMS app, and users can switch their homescreen wallpapers by choosing a picture in the settings folder.

There are a variety of other small features, including photo geo-tagging. When users pick the photo app, they can view a map with pins identifying where they took certain pictures on their iPhone.

Only 3GS and iPod 3G users will be able to take advantage of the full software. iPhone 3G users will only receive certain functions, excluding multitasking and background pictures, due to that model’s limited memory.

However, many iPhone 3G users are moving off their two-year contracts, and will be able to use the iOS4.0 software in full if they move to an iPhone 4, which is set to be released in Australia next month.