Apple changes multitasking bar, MobileMe login in iOS 4.2 GM; asks for iOS 4.2 apps from developers
Subtle changes to iOS 4.2 in the Golden Master released to developers Monday include the addition of volume controls and an AirPlay button to the multitasking bar and an option to access MobileMe with an Apple ID. Meanwhile, developers can now submit their iOS 4.2 apps to Apple for review.
Apple seeded the Golden Master version of its iOS 4.2 software to developers Monday, bringing the update one step closer to public release. iOS 4.2, which Chief Executive Steve Jobs demoed in September, contains several new features, including AirPlay wireless media streaming and AirPrint wireless printing. At that time, Jobs announced that iOS 4.2 would be released in November; Apple appears to be on schedule, as the Golden Master release is usually the final version before release.
The time between a Golden Master release and public release for versions of iOS 4 has ranged from 1-2 weeks. The GM candidate of iOS 4.0 was seeded on June 7 with the public release coming two weeks later on June 21, while the GM of iOS 4.1 was released to developers a week before the Sept. 8 release date.
According to MacRumors, the multi-tasking bar in iOS 4.2 now includes a volume slider and the expected AirPlay button, in addition to the pre-existing orientation lock button, playback controls, brightness slider, and iPod icon.
Screenshot by Dean Ostetto
Another change came in the switch from a MobileMe login to an Apple ID login for the MobileMe account setup settings in iOS 4.2. Given that MobileMe doesn't currently accept Apple ID logins, the change prompted speculation that Apple could allow iOS users access to some of MobileMe's features, although the change might only indicate that Apple is trying to link Apple IDs with MobileMe accounts.
In preparation for the release of iOS 4.2, Apple posted a message to its official developer site Monday, notifying developers that they can now "build, test, and compile [their] apps using the iOS SDK 4.2 GM seed, then submit them for review so they can be ready when iOS 4.2 is available to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users."
Previously, developers could only submit apps for the current version of iOS. The release of iOS 4.2 is particularly noteworthy, as it will be the first time that the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad will concurrently run the same version of iOS and marks the iPad's transition to iOS 4.
Apple seeded the Golden Master version of its iOS 4.2 software to developers Monday, bringing the update one step closer to public release. iOS 4.2, which Chief Executive Steve Jobs demoed in September, contains several new features, including AirPlay wireless media streaming and AirPrint wireless printing. At that time, Jobs announced that iOS 4.2 would be released in November; Apple appears to be on schedule, as the Golden Master release is usually the final version before release.
The time between a Golden Master release and public release for versions of iOS 4 has ranged from 1-2 weeks. The GM candidate of iOS 4.0 was seeded on June 7 with the public release coming two weeks later on June 21, while the GM of iOS 4.1 was released to developers a week before the Sept. 8 release date.
According to MacRumors, the multi-tasking bar in iOS 4.2 now includes a volume slider and the expected AirPlay button, in addition to the pre-existing orientation lock button, playback controls, brightness slider, and iPod icon.
Screenshot by Dean Ostetto
Another change came in the switch from a MobileMe login to an Apple ID login for the MobileMe account setup settings in iOS 4.2. Given that MobileMe doesn't currently accept Apple ID logins, the change prompted speculation that Apple could allow iOS users access to some of MobileMe's features, although the change might only indicate that Apple is trying to link Apple IDs with MobileMe accounts.
In preparation for the release of iOS 4.2, Apple posted a message to its official developer site Monday, notifying developers that they can now "build, test, and compile [their] apps using the iOS SDK 4.2 GM seed, then submit them for review so they can be ready when iOS 4.2 is available to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users."
Previously, developers could only submit apps for the current version of iOS. The release of iOS 4.2 is particularly noteworthy, as it will be the first time that the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad will concurrently run the same version of iOS and marks the iPad's transition to iOS 4.
Comments
Will this fix the DST alarm bug?
Yes, as reported a couple of weeks ago.
As to the developers out there are we faster or slower on iPhone, esPecially older iPhones? I suppose that is a good question for iPad owners too. I'm really hoping Apple has removed some of the performance issues from the previous release so we can milk a little more life from our devices.
I've always used my same user and pass for MobileMe (and also since .Mac and iTools days) and my Apple ID, I wasn't even aware this was unusual.
The point is that this appears to be account unification and consolidation, sort of like linking your YouTube account to your Google account. Moving to a single sign-in is worth noting.
Will this unbreak the iPhone 4.1, iPad 3.2.2 jailbreak?
If i had to put money on it, i would say definitely.
I've always used my same user and pass for MobileMe (and also since .Mac and iTools days) and my Apple ID, I wasn't even aware this was unusual.
Me too
Ugh, when i saw 'update to multitasking bar' i was so hoping they added a "quit all applications" button/feature.
Why? Most applications are not actually running in the background. Only audio playback, GPS, or VoIP apps are allowed to keep a process "running" continuously. Everything else is essentially in a frozen state as soon as you switch out of it (or shortly thereafter).
hey thats my iPad screenshot you got from Mac Rumors... how about some photo cred \
Wouldn't be bragging about that as 4.2 is still under NDA
Why? Most applications are not actually running in the background. Only audio playback, GPS, or VoIP apps are allowed to keep a process "running" continuously. Everything else is essentially in a frozen state as soon as you switch out of it (or shortly thereafter).
To continue on with your point in an attempt to make it even more clear? The apps you see in Fast App Switching are not necessarily running in the background. These are just the last apps you had active on your screen listed in descending chronological order from left to right.
I've always used my same user and pass for MobileMe (and also since .Mac and iTools days) and my Apple ID, I wasn't even aware this was unusual.
No, but what is unusual (or at least odd) is the fact that I tried to update my Apple ID to my MobileMe address and was unable to. Apparently this is not allowed despite the assertion in this article that Apple is trying to somehow merge these.
I was able to go to http://myinfo.apple.com/ and modify my Apple ID to be a simple login name. It's odd now seeing me logged into iTunes using a login name that does not include an email address...