Sound off: What to expect from iPhone OS 4.0

The biggest thing I would look for is the addition of specialized background processing modules to deal with extensively voiced complaint by software developers that they cannot do background management security and telephony functions. The other thing would be the development of an integrated collaboration client that brings together multiple social and business messaging capabilities. Probably lots more video. ... As far as native OS features in navigation and the core collaboration applications, Android has to-date surpassed Apple; however I expect Apple to reset the bar this time around. --Ken Dulaney, vice president and distinguished analyst, Gartner Research

Regarding iPhone 4.0, this will be the first OS that takes the larger form factor of the iPad into account, so Apple does not need to only answer the demands of phone-based competition, but those of Windows and other operating systems on slates. Multitasking has clearly been the feature bandied about the most, but Apple may not go that route given, for example, the recent decision by Microsoft to follow its lead with limited multitasking. Apple may simply open up audio for Internet radio apps such as Pandora. Regardless, there may be more ways for apps to work collaboratively, for example, more of a shared file system or being able to launch an app from a URL.

Some other possibilities:

--Revamping the home screens. It is difficult to remember where icons are and keep them organized.

--Better support for subscription service billing such as Rhapsody.

--Real widgets that could run on a home or lock screen or via a gesture invoking something like Dashboard.

--Seamless voice/data handoff between 3G and WiFi.

--WiFi media sync

--Mobile hotspot

--Support for alternative soft keyboards, e.g., Swype

--iBooks reader

--"Check in" manager for apps such as Fourssquare, Yelp, etc.

--More gesture support

--A Palm Synergy-like architecture for integrating social media.

--Universal inbox

--WiFi Direct

--More HD video support (HD video capture, HDMI out)

--Access to music locker via Lala technology

--Flash support would certainly be a shocker given Apple's pro-HTML5 rhetoric and Adobe's recent touting of a wrapper to create AIR apps on the iPhone.

--Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for consumer technology, NPD Group

If they announce the next version of the OS on Thursday as reports would lead us to believe, we expect critical pieces of the multitasking story to be made clear. The story is somewhat analogous to the delayed introduction of video capture and MMS support on the iPhone. The iPhone has a history of dramatic success while trailing the competition on features that are otherwise must-haves. We, like many in the industry, have expected some degree of multitasking support in the next version of the OS. So such an announcement wouldn't necessarily be a surprise. Rather, Apple appears poised for another round of casual catch-up on a feature that competitors have had for some while.

Assuming there is a new OS version announced on Thursday, what's most intriguing is its timing. We would assume that any upgrade made available to the iPhone would also extend to the iPad, which of course just started shipping. A major OS upgrade announcement might look a bit funny to the 300,000 or so new iPad owners who just paid handsomely for a device that wasn't yet all it could be. This would be even more unnerving if a major new capability such as multitasking was only available to the iPhone, or if there was a protracted time period between the announcement and its availability on either device.

So if something new is indeed announced on Thursday, the timing is likely to be more significant than what's actually announced. It has the hallmarks of a tactical move intended to steal some thunder from an expected competitor's announcement. --John Jackson, vice president of research, CCS Insight

Multitasking: Obviously this is the hottest and most likely rumor to which we will see an advancement in with OS 4.0. Multi-tasking will allow applications to run in the background and will also make the device feel faster. The trick to multi-tasking will be to make sure what is running in the background is not draining the battery or taking up to much system resources thus slowing the iPhone down. 

Personalization: We may see a much more customizable device in terms of home screen set up, utility and background personalization.

Wireless sync: Wireless sync so the iPhone is not completely dependent on a cable to sync with a PC would also be a welcomed addition. 

Updates to core Apple apps and possibly new ones: Look for some updates to the existing core apple software as well as some new ones.

Music streaming: Perhaps we will see some of the first fruits of the Lala acquisition, potentially in an updated version of the Music application on the iPhone.

All of this is obviously paving the way for the new iPhone hardware. There may very well be some things coming with OS 4.0 that will only work on new hardware, like video calling/conferencing for example. So it is unlikely we will see all that OS 4.0 has to offer until we see the iPhone hardware. --Ben Bajarin, director of consumer technologies practice, Creative Strategies  

While we have no inside information, our bet is on multitasking, which will be important for evolving the iPad experience. We also speculate Apple will add an advertising library leveraging its recent acquisition of Quattro. Because the iPad focuses on media (think of the iPad as an "iPod for all other media" except music, which iPod dominated), the advertising potential is astronomical. This is likely why Admob has delayed deciding on ad formats until later this month. --Peter Farago, vice president of marketing, Flurry