iPhone OS 3.0 Will raise the bar yet again

 After attending the iPhone event in March I realized just how much this new software platform will again raise the bar for the iPhone hardware and give software developers innovative opportunities for consumers to engage better with their applications.   

I say this because what struck me is that now applications on the iPhone will become dynamic instead of static.    What bothered me the most about iPhone applications is that they had to be running to be useful.   Which is logical but what happens with an IM for example when I exit the application.   The answer is I leave the chat only to have to pick it back up by opening the app and re-logging in.    The push service was always supposed to be the answer to this since Apple announced it last year but nothing came.    

That is why this new OS release will be so interesting as it will bring new life to applications by making them dynamic.    I will illustrate this with an example.   My wife and I both have iPhones, we both have Scrabble on our iPhones and enjoy playing scrabble on local WIFI and through Facebook.    We can have these great continues play at your leisure games, only the problem is I have to open the application to see if she completed her turn.    It would and hopefully will with OS 3.0 be far better for scrabble to notify me when her turn is complete so that I know it is my turn.     

This is just one example of many where OS 3.0 will be extremely valuable.   Another great use could be with Loopt or any other location based social network.   It would be great if I could be notified when friends are near me in case I want to arrange a get together.   Or potentially if a food service I have an application for allows my favorite restaurants to push me coupons when I am their area.

Once the applications resident in our most personal device which is our handheld it changes the way we can now again interact with the applications and brings an element of added usefulness to them as the applications them self become ubiquitously connected to the Internet. 

Comments

[Coryl Celene-Martel]

Hi Ben,
I think what you are saying is very interesting, but your grammar and spelling errors may be undermining your credibility. To engage the public on the internet as a professional journalist, you must have command of the language. Perhaps you are used to texting yourself, but texting is not the brand of English necessary to be taken seriously as a writer away from cellphones or other digital devices. Also you may be trying to reach a wider audience than only those 30 and younger. If so, correct use of English still matters.
May I suggest using a spellcheck tool or asking a friend to proofread? Thanks for your unique views,
Coryl Celene-Martel

[april]

ben,
Have you figured out how to have scrabble notify you of your turn without you having to enter the application? I can not seem to find a way to do that.