By Damian Koh
May 22, 2009
Our quick guide to the iPhone OS software gives you a glimpse into the mobile operating system and what it can do for you.
Making the jump to an iPhone
If anything, Apple's nailed it with the user interface on the iPhone. Unlike most handsets which are typically littered with an array of controls, the iPhone has only one hardware button on the front that brings the user back to the main menu. So those making the jump to an iPhone cold may find it awkward at the beginning.
The interface is based on the concept of using sliders, switches, buttons, finger gestures and multiple home screens. Almost all input relies on the capacitive touchscreen which is capable of multitouch. This opens up a new form of interaction between the device and the user. You drag your finger down on the screen to scroll up like you would with a physical page. Bringing two digits closer together or further apart lets you zoom out or in of a picture or a Web page. The physics of the interface that mimic a real environment and unmatched fluidity of the operating system deliver one of the best touchscreen experiences in the market.
Depending on where you are buying the iPhone, the handset is sold exclusively via selected telco operators in some countries. And one of the things Apple has successfully done is to integrate the smartphone into an ecosystem of services, from iTunes to the App Store. So without further ado, let's get started with the iPhone.
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