iPhone OS 4.0 spotlight lets you directly search web, Wikipedia
By Ross Miller 
posted April 8th 2010 9:58PM
posted April 8th 2010 9:58PM
Apple did quite a bit today bringing its iPhone OS up to feature parity (and sometimes beyond) when compared with other modern smartphone platforms, and here's one piece not discussed today that we've been long wanting: web and Wikipedia search directly from Spotlight. WebOS and Windows Phone 7 have had it since inception, and Android's had it since Donut, and we're pretty happy to say that our OS 4.0-equipped iPhone is now also among the ranks, just 13 months after it first got a search bar. There you have it, folks, iPhone Spotlight is now useful.
[Thanks, Randy]
[Thanks, Randy]
welcome to 2009 Apple - glad ya made it
@senormatt
I know, webOS has been doing this (and doing it beautifully) since June of last year, lol.
Now if only iPhone OS4 could keep up with webOS's multitasking prowess...
HTF can "Windows Phone 7 had it since inception" when Windows Phone 7 ISN'T EVEN AVAILABLE YET??? I love how Apple is suddenly "catching up" to products that don't even exist yet. Amazing.
Microsoft is certainly generating its own RDF with WP7S.
@HotFuzz
You are right.
Point still stands...Android and WebOS still had it way before.
And the point they're getting at is that WinPho7 did it on their first shot...they didn't way a year later.
@RottingOrange
Precisely... but we all know iPhone OS is way better!
Oh wait... its not at all.... sometime this fall the iPhone will be able to search itself and do lite multitasking! Woohoo impressive
@kapryt google-esque no?
if you have to add something that should've been there from the start they blew it
Late or not, it'll be nice to have around.
@inertone
I'm sorry... I have a Pre and am biased... but why is it so hard to see that webOS has the features that Apple and everyone else are struggling (why I don't know they have huge budgets and lots of employees unlike Palm) to catch up with
@senormatt
What's more important? Do it first, or do it best?
@kapryt
Do not blaspheme the iPhone! No matter how much ahead webOS is... IT NEVER WILL BE.
@HotFuzz: windows phone 7 has had it since inception because it's not even a finished product yet (but it does exist, just like this iphone OS 4.0 you're talking about right now... it's not on the market yet either, troll) and microsoft saw that it needed to be implemented to make the OS even more useful.
just because something doesn't exist yet, doesn't mean that the features haven't been covered. the features are known to exist because details about the OS are already out there. just. like. this. or did you forget that iphone OS 4.0 isn't out yet either? I know, logic. it's the darnedest thing.
@senormatt
Yawn, is there an iHater database somewhere you guys have access to that you all just copy and paste these old and boring comments from? Seriously, you say Apple welcome to 2009 but we all should really be welcoming you and your comment from 05, with an updated year of course. You must be a fresh iHater convert and only have been granted access the early archives. I look forward to reading your comment in a few years when you finally unlock the area that contains the lines about Apple's app store having fart apps. Trust me, you'll be real original then.
@PastorTom
do it best is more important than doing it first - so they failed twice - many can agree webOS does indeed multitask the best
@RottingOrange that may be a troll.
@RottingOrange
LOL... I almost wish Apple would hire me as a consultant... yes it really is ok to allow people a choice of carrier... yes people like physical keyboards... people wouldn't mind to have the option of a fixed and slideout keyboard... no having Flash isn't evil...
I wouldn't have to show up to work... I would just list things the webOS already does. Or Android for that matter... or the Win Mob (6.5 & I'm sure 7) hell even the BB can do the list I just came up with.... Apple you're the only ones who don't give people choices! Steve Jobs... you're not a real hippie!
@High
just saying what Engadget is basically saying - don't hate the messenger - I wouldn't call myself a hater, I just had higher hopes for Apple b/c they've been at the top of the game, but they're now pretty much equals with the other top players, and are now in fact the ones having to catch up to the others in many OS aspects.
@High
And why is it so hard to be objective? Yes, Iphone OS is good and will get a few needed improvements in OS4. But objectively speaking, Android and WebOS do have more features and functionality...
At the moment, Iphone OS is more popular than those other 2, but it also had a few years head start...
Yes, Iphone is more popular (for now) than Android or Web OS, but there is no disputing the fact that it is lagging behind those 2 in features...
@HotFuzz
Windows Phone 7 has had its inception already--perhaps not its public inception, but it exists and has this feature already.
@zapote21
Thank you, some one needed to say it. Popularity is very different than features and usefulness.
Remember when Apple was the underdog vs. MS. The Apple people were all like... its way better... who cares if there are more programs (back when we called apps "programs") for Windows. Mac OS has more features etc....
Oh how things have changed and now features and listening to consumers don't matter to "App"le.... its all about the Apps... now they think there's no money in features that their die hards don't care are available for less money on better networks elsewhere... just make iPhone OS 5 have one more silly feature that Android/webOS/WinMo7 and everyone else has TODAY... people will still buy the "App"le product.
@HotFuzz
Wow! the iPhone can now search the web without loading the browser first? Amazing! Just like my Pantech Ocean from 2007 could! Wow Apple, thanks for the innovation!
@senormatt
Hrm, my HTC Touch Pro 2 has the ability to search the web without opening the browser first. Is this what this accomplishes? Why is this so revolutionary?
@HotFuzz Inseption - origin: an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events.
In this case, the creation, even of a WIP. Also, Prokanda makes an excellent point on how iPhone 4.0, though closer in the pipeline, has just as much of this function as WP.
@senormatt
Windows, 95, welcome to 1984 Microsoft. Seriously, that argument is getting old.
@iDavey
It's called Windows Phone 7 for a reason.
It's not their first shot.. It's actually CE6, btw.
To wit....."4 < 7"
Thanks you and Good night.
@PastorTom LOL the way apple implemented search is far from the best. Think about what you are saying. Repeat after me NOT ALL THINGS STEVE JOBS SAYS IS THE TRUTH. You can still think for yourself and use apple's products.
@Prokanda you guys make me laugh. You are the only consumers in the world that will pay hundreds of dollars for a phone that lacks features That were brought to market in 1997 and then when iPhone finally brings it out (and most of the time then charges you for it) and then make excuses for why it hasent been implemented until now. Its search not time travel. A phone now a days should have this just like u should be able to have whatever background and run whatever apps you would like. Get some fresh air there are companies out there that aren't nickel and dining u for little things like search and 3rd party multitasking. Its been almost 4 years. Its time to make That "magic" do what we all have been doing for years.
@iDavey
I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything but I was under the impression that win os7 didn't have multitasking. That's what I read on one of the reports here.
@senormatt I think webOS is the best OS platform right now after android (apps availability not taking into account). Apple devs are too lazy, 4th OS iteration and They can't even give us true multitasking and steve blaming it on performance and battery issue lol. Just call Steve "the Woz", he'll show apple devs how to bring true multitasking to the iPhone OS without obliterate our galaxy.
Making big event to announce folders, wallpaper, pseudo-multitasking, bloatware (read ads), Keyboard pairing (what about file sharing and unlocking Bluetooth so we can pair it with anything we want), It's almost embarassing!!!
Those features are welcome but it's a 0.1 update at best not a 1.0. It's like last year big event to announce copy&paste, SMS and video recording. As a apple customer, it's embarassing. I'm going to sell my iPhone 3GS and see what they come up with next. (I hope it's not the same hardware design). if it's something like htc evo 4g, I may reconsider going to android or webOS platform.
Ps. If the next palm pre is something like HTC evo 4G with physical keyboard, I'm sold bye bye Lazy Apple.
@kapryt you have the choice not to buy an iPhone, don't you.
@NextGen
You do realize that there is 100 new features added to the new OS. I am sure some are redundant but this was one of the 93 that were not announced this morning by Apple, this was released by devs playing with thier release of the sdk
@Mentat Well, I guess Steve decidde to announce the biggest features. But all the 100 updates are welcome. And those 93 are 0.01 update at best; i.e "now u can have more than 200 phone logs, 250 is the new cap".
Anyway, one feature I would like is having the dual screen ipad-like on the iPhone (in landscape mode)
No multitasking for IM is a let down.
@senormatt And by 2009 you mean 2007
@kapryt
yah apple is really screwing up…
@kapryt
Yeah if you had been the consultant for apple, and told them people want physical keyboards back then (and they listened) then I'm sure that smartphones and touchscreens still would've had their breakthrough...?
people seem to forget the only reason the palm pre, winmo 7, etc etc, is out there is because the iPhone paved the way.
@senormatt Yep, if you have been an android user before, you know the importance of this -- Well its good, apple realize to put that on the new OS. Opinions- http://bit.ly/iphone-os-4-0-impressions
@senormatt I have a Pre and have to say that the multitasking works great, although, I do get the occassional "too many cards open" messgae, which is a bit of a pain. However, I've been assured that this has been partially resolved in Pre Plus, which now allows more apps to run at the same time.
@zapote21
You can buy a new car with every optoin in the book, but that doesn't mean it'll drive better.
@iDavey Yes but as proved Apple they do "catch up" to others but generally set a higher standard of functionality than theirs did (as showed with Cut and Paste and possibly Video Conferencing in the future)
@r34p3r because apple is doing it.
@High
suggestion:
when defending a product, make sure youre defending its good points, not things that dont exist for it XD
Im surprised that apple arent pulling a press conference just for this feature and calling it 'NEW AMAZING TECHNOLOGY!!!' like every other product theyve had...
@Wesscoast
Is it the same as their previous phone?
Are the OS's the same as the previous one.
No? Then yes, it is their "first shot" because it's a totally new OS (if you disregard the Zune HD showing it first). This isn't an "upgrade", this is an entirely new OS.
Case and point. Android has it. WebOS has it. Windows Phone 7 has it on their first release. iPhone has it....on their 4th iteration.
@Psarrism
I give you that one. I do have that choice. And I really don't think I would ever buy one. But I would consider an iPhone/Pad/PodTouch if there was something to it other than hype.
I used to not be so against Apple. When they were the underdog and they had PowerPC processors. I was like... they really get this.... Today they got to the top and just started chilling. (See also Toyota)
@Ruthless Yes, the "too many cards" issue has been mostly resolved on the Pre Plus. However, they still haven't fixed the battery. If I have more than 3-4 cards open, my battery can't last the work day. I bring my charger to work, but it can get annoying if I'm not at my desk.
@senormatt
webOS does this so much better with Google Maps and Twitter options in addition to searching Google, Wikipedia, Contacts, and Programs. Funny how none of the features that Apple is ripping off from other OS's are as good as the originals or improve on them in any way. The difference between multitasking on webOS and iPhone is laughable at this point. Wonder how many more years before iPhone owners get to experience real multitasking like 2009's Palm Pre.
I really am loath to switch to any other mobile platform right now. If only Palm could fix their limited app situation and get some more hardware alternatives out there.
Didn't Jobs say something about people not searching anymore?
@Yoda I know in his keynote he's like "no one searchs the web on their phone" OMFG what are smartphones for than apple. huh? O yes those things called "apps"riiiiight
@Alexpeegs
I would argue with your statement but your comment really proved your idiocy for me.
@jellotime91
I cant tell if your an apply hater or lover, either way...if you disagree, dont juts say "I disagree" and run away like other apple lovers....Tell us why so we can actually take you guys seriously for once.
PS. Please make sure your opinions are logical too, that REALLY helps us understand why you might love apple soo much.
@Yoda
I think Apple would be better off if Steve Jobs just shut up and released overpriced products
@jellotime91 did you watch the keynote it was really awkward when he said that cause searching is completely different then apps.