Linked Contacts: another iPhone OS 4.0 Secret Unveiled
According to AppleInsider, the iPhone OS 4.0 is now confirmed to support linked contacts. This allows users to link to several contacts through the use of only one contact pane. This is done by simply clicking the “Linked Contacts” pane option in order to have your contacts merged into one unified list. This will then, label both contacts with the header “Unified Info” to signify that you have indeed joined the list together previously.
It makes it easy to organize the people in your contact list, especially if you are the type to forget which contacts go together though the major purpose of the feature is still a bit unclear. There is actually an existing contact group option in the Contacts app but only with a limited functionality (it does not allow users to make their own group). The groups tab in the current iPhone OS 4.0 may also be a hint as to what lies ahead.
But then again, it may be linked to the mobile version of the iChat functionality which was discovered recently by the fellows at “iPhoneHacks.It”. Yes, it looks like developers are really trying to get a sneak peak on what the iPhone OS 4.0 can do by totally baring the beta version.
Maybe the two features will tie together to support a multi-person video chat conference. Or maybe this feature will be the root of something like what the Palm Pre has, a way to connect the contact details of users from different supported apps.
If the iChat app pushes through, it should appeal to business users who have tons of contacts and those who constantly contact the same groups of people. Tie it up with more compatible applications such as Facebook or Twitter and it will be sure to warm the hearts of neat freaks worldwide.
Head over to Geek for more about the Linked Contacts feature.
