Best New Features of iPhone OS 4 Beta 4

Last night, iPhone developers and non-developers who are signed up for the developers program just for its perks were treated to a new beta version of the iPhone OS. The new beta brought about changes that were noticeable right from the start, whereas the transitions from betas one, two and three weren’t all that big (actually, beta two was just full of bugs).

So here are a handful of the new features that can be found in iPhone OS 4 beta 4, and very likely the closest we’re going to get to the final product once it becomes available in a few weeks. After all, WWDC is just a little over two weeks away where we’re anticipating the announcement of Apple’s new iPhone.

1. Wallpapers

Since its release in June 2007, the iPhone has had the same handful of boring wallpapers that came with it right out of the box. Until now, if you wanted custom iPhone wallpapers you either had to design your own, select ones you like from others who designed their own, or pick and crop images as you saw fit. Those options weren’t that bad, but now OS 4 beta 4 shows us that Apple will be officially releasing the new iPhone and OS with a handful of new and decent looking wallpapers.

2. Toggle Off Group Messaging

How many times have you sent a text message meant for your current flame, but somehow managed to include your ex in the message, too? Not often? Well, either way you won’t have to deal with that issue anymore. If you go into the message settings in iPhone OS 4 beta 4, you’ll have the option to turn off group messaging – just in case you slip tend to slip up every now and then.

3. Faster maps

We’re not sure if this is exclusive to the iPhone 3GS, but with iPhone OS 4 beta 4, there was a remarkable difference in speed within Maps. It took less than 4 seconds for it to get our location, and it seems to be far more accurate than any version of the OS before.

4. Landscape Photo Album

When you’re scrolling through pictures on your iPhone, did you ever think to yourself, “Geez, I really wish I could view the photo album thumbnails in landscape mode!”? Prayers answered. Now you can.

5. Overall Speed Improvement

Again, this might just be a perk for 3GS owners versus iPhone 3G owners, but we noticed almost instantly that the OS is much faster all around. Opening and closing applications is snappier and getting the app switcher up and around is lightning quick, too. In beta 3, the app switcher would sometimes freeze and require a reboot of the phone. That problem seems to have been solved with beta 4.

6. Tethering

Finally! Everyone else everywhere else seems to have been able to tether since Apple announced the capability last year, but AT&T trailed way behind. One year later and it looks like tethering is finally going to happen. How will this affect AT&T’s network? Well, if the carrier is making those big upgrades like it promised, we’re thinking it shouldn’t put too heavy a strain on the network. Another thing to consider is how much it will affect your iPhone’s battery life, which still isn’t the greatest compared to other smart phoens. The only question now is whether you’ll be willing to pay the extra dollars to have the capability with your iPhone.

It’s not really a feature, but the default home screen did contain a Utilities folder, which included the calendar, calculator, notes and voice memo applications native to the iPhone. That’s all for now, but see our gallery below for screenshots of some of the new features you’ll find in iPhone OS 4 beta 4, and very likely the final and official version of the operating system.