Apple’s iPhone OS 4 is now in previews, and the company has released a beta version to iPhone Developer Program members. The beta includes an updated software development kit (SDK) with more than 1500 new application programming interfaces (APIs) and over 100 new features that will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer.

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New features include Multitasking for third-party apps; folders to better organize and access apps; improved Mail with a unified inbox, fast inbox switching, and threaded messages; enhanced Enterprise support with improved data protection, mobile device management, wireless app distribution, and more; the Apple iAd mobile advertising platform; and the iBooks e-book reader and online bookstore.

The Multitasking feature is designed to give users a new way to quickly move between apps. It also gives developers seven new multitasking services to easily add multitasking features to their apps. These services include background audio and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Also, iPhone OS 4 provides multitasking to third-party apps while preserving battery life and foreground app performance.

According to Apple, folders help users better organize and quickly access their apps—simply drag one app icon onto another to automatically create a new folder. The folder is automatically given a name based on the App Store category of that app, such as “Games,” which users can rename. With folders, users can organize and access more than 2000 apps on their iPhone while creating and managing iPhone folders on their Mac or PC using iTunes 9.2.

The OS’s Unified Inbox lets users see messages from all of their e-mail accounts displayed together in a single inbox. With just a few taps, users can switch between inboxes to see messages from any single account. Additionally, users can thread their messages by conversation, making it easier to stay on top of e-mail discussions, as well as open e-mail attachments with compatible apps from the App Store.

The iAd mobile advertising platform is designed to combine the emotion of TV ads with the interactivity of Web ads. It displays full-screen video and interactive content without ever leaving the app, letting users return to their app anytime they choose. The OS also lets developers easily embed iAd opportunities within their apps, and the ads are dynamically and wirelessly delivered to the device. Apple will sell and serve the ads, and developers will receive an industry-standard 60% of iAd revenue.

Further, the beta release includes a developer preview of Game Center, which includes a set of APIs that let developers create apps that can invite friends to play a game, start a multiplayer game through matchmaking, and track achievements and compare high scores on a leader board. Apps created with GameKit APIs will work with Game Center, Apple’s social gaming network, which will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users later this year.

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