Apple launches iPhone 4 to the world

After the Gizmodo iPhone incident, many observers knew what was coming, but Apple has confirmed that the iPhone will have a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and 5x digital zoom, HD video recording, an ‘Apple A4’ processor, a 3-axis gyro, and up to 40% longer talk time.

With a new glass and stainless steel squarish design, the new iPhone is also claimed to be the thinnest smartphone in the world at 9.3mm.

A new video calling system called ‘FaceTime’ allows you to see other iPhone on video using WiFi. There is also a ‘Retina display’ which Apple said is the highest resolution display ever seen in a phone with 960 x 640 pixels, four times as many as the iPhone 3GS.

The Retina Display uses technology called IPS (in-plane switching) — the same technology used in the Apple LED Cinema Display and iPad — to achieve a wider viewing angle than on typical LCDs. This means you can hold iPhone 4 almost any way you want.

It also comes with a new operating system in iOS 4, the latest Apple operating system. The OS will have more than 100 new features and 1,500 new APIs for developers. It will also have multitasking, the ability to create folders, enhanced mail, better enterprise support and a new iAd mobile advertising platform.

"iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original iPhone,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

“FaceTime video calling sets a new standard for mobile communication, and our new Retina display is the highest resolution display ever in a phone, with text looking like it does on a fine printed page. We have been dreaming about both of these breakthroughs for decades.”

It will also have a new iBooks app, a free download available from the new iBookstore.

Pre-orders for the device should be able to be made by 24 June.