Steve Jobs Explains Why iPhone 3G Didn't Get Wallpapers...

If you're an iPhone 3G owner, you might be wondering whether iOS 4 really has changed anything significant on your handset. I mean, we've got folders. And a unified inbox. And probably quite a few of the 100+ new features Apple has brought with its highly anticipated software update. But one thing iPhone 3G owners didn't get (multitasking aside) is the ability to change the handset's Home screen background wallpaper - even though it was hinted at on Apple's site prior to iOS 4's release. And this prompted one iPhone 3G owner to get in touch with the buy guy, and ask: why? Her name is Erica, and here's what she said:

Hey Steve! I just upgraded my iPhone 3G to iOS 4 and was really looking forward to setting a background on my home screen. Guess that’s not happening, but I’d like to know why. See, I get why you don’t include multitasking. My iPhone gets pretty hot when certain apps run, couldn’t imagine how multitasking would fry my phone. But the background thing, I don’t see how that would be memory intensive and/or battery draining. It doesn’t seem like that feature needs to be exclusive to the 3GS and 4G.

To which Steve responded, as nonchalant as ever:

The icon animation with backgrounds didn’t perform well enough.

So there you have it. Regardless of whether jailbroken iPhones can run custom wallpapers quite easily - and have been able to for some time - you can't argue with Steve himself. Or can you? Let us know what you think in the comments box below! [via 9to5Mac]

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