Apple’s iOS 4 is scheduled to go live tomorrow, June 21, and here’s everything you need to know to update your iPhone or iPod touch.

The final release version of iOS 4 for iPhone or iPod touch hits tomorrow (iPad isn’t coming until later this fall) and we’ll post it up right on the front page the minute it’s ready. Before you race to download, however, there are a few steps you want to go through to get ready — to make sure you have the smoothest upgrade possible.

Check device compatibility

The 2009 iPhone 3GS and iPod touch G3 (64GB and 32GB) get the full update (except for iPhone 4 specific features like FaceTime that require different hardware). Multitasking, folders, wallpapers, unified inbox, multiple Exchange accounts, the whole shebang.

The 2008 iPhone 3G and iPod touch G2 (which includes the 2009 iPod touch 8GB) won’t be getting multitasking, custom wallpaper, and Bluetooth keyboard support as Apple maintains the hardware isn’t capable (they have slower CPU, GPU, etc.)

The 2007 original iPhone 2G and iPod touch aren’t compatible with iOS 4.

If you’re not sure which iPhone or iPod touch you have, check Apple’s support pages. [iPhone, iPod touch]

Make sure you’re running iTunes 9.2

You need iTunes 9.2 in order to activate iOS 4 (and the forthcoming iPhone 4). Apple released it last Wednesday so, if you haven’t gotten it already, hit Software Update and download the latest, or get it directly from Apple. [iTunes 9.2].

(Developers, remember you have the option of updating via Xcode instead of iTunes).

If you’ve Jailbroken, re-virginize

Safe and sound, an ounce of prevention, etc. etc. make us feel safer restoring a Jailbroken iPhone to 3.1.x before attempting to upgrade to iOS 4. You may not have a problem, but we’ve heard from enough readers who have for us to include this step.

And remember, updating to iOS 4 will mean no Jailbreak, no unlock for now. If that’s a deal breaker for you, don’t upgrade.

If you need extra help with this step, we’ve got a thread up in the TiPb Jailbreak Forum just for you.

Update your apps

One of iOS 4’s biggest new features is multitasking, especially saved state (so your apps restart where you left them), and background audio, location, and VoIP (so you can listen to streaming music, get turn-by-turn directions, and answer internet phone calls even when not in the apps). However, developers have to update their apps for iOS 4 compatibility. That means new versions will be showing up in iTunes on the desktop or App Store on your iPhone/iPod touch, and that means you’ll have to update to them.

Depending on how fast developers get the updates done, how fast Apple approves them, how many apps you have, and how big they are, this process could take a while. Might as well get started while you’re waiting.

(We’re keeping an eye out for major iOS 4 apps and compatibility updates so bookmark that link for future reference).

Backup your data

Once you have iTunes installed, plug in your iPhone and/or iPod touch and sync it. You want your data backed up, anything you’ve purchased or updated on-device transferred safely to your Windows/Mac library, and the position of any media you’re currently enjoying recorded so you can keep going from the same place once your iOS 4 update is done.

Remember, if you haven’t synced in a while it could take a few minutes to backup. Don’t be impatient, let it run.

Once that’s done, launch iPhoto on your Mac or your favorite image capture program on Windows and copy over any photos you’ve taken on the iPhone. Losing your Camera Roll, especially if it has a lot of special moments recorded, is something to be avoided at all costs.

Get up to speed on iOS 4

Once everything is done and ready, and if you’re still waiting for Apple to release the update, why not check out our complete iOS 4 walkthrough so once you’ve downloaded and installed it you can spend your time enjoying the new functionality, not trying to discover it.

Jump into the forums and learn more

Did we mention how smart TiPb forum members are? If you have any lingering questions or need any additional help, or you just want to relax and chat with like-minded iOS enthusiasts and technology adepts, head on over to the TiPb iPhone Forum.

Best community on the ‘net, check it out.

Anything else?

Did we forget anything or just plain get something wrong? Any tips or tricks you use before updating to a major new version of iOS? Let us know in the comments and we’ll update.

Getting ready for iOS 4 – what you need to know is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Waiting on iOS 4 — us too! — we’ll be getting together to chat iPad in the meantime tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT, 1am BST to find out! Come join us. We’ll hang out, talk, and bide us some time.

Tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT, 1am BST:

http://www.tipb.com/live/

DON’T FORGET OUR CONTEST!

We need new theme music, make us a kick-apps, copyright-free theme and you’ll win fabulous prizes!

Chat with you soon!

Come chat with us on iPad live, 8pm ET/5pm PT (1am BST) is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Apple iPhone 4 shipment notifications are now being sent out to those who managed to get their pre-orders in last Tuesday. (Those that were previously prepared for shipment and not randomly canceled we gather…)

They say for delivery June 23, though from past experience we’re betting Apple puts a hold on them until launch day, June 24.

Did you get your shipping notice? Let us know in comments.

[Thanks Marcus!]

iPhone 4 pre-orders now shipping is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

How does a network administrator use his iPad to get the job done and what iPad apps help get him through his day? TiPb's iPad at work contest aims to bring you just such slices of the iPad life. Here's numetheus’ answer and as a small token of thanks we're sending him a $20 iTunes gift certificate. If you want to see your name up on the TiPb home page and get a gift certificate all your own, head on over to the TiPb iPad Forum and share your story now!

I work for a local network management company, and my iPad is now a critical tool for me. Here is how iPad has improved things for me.

Remote management: I use LogMeIn Ignition all the time to log in to my work laptop remotely where I run tcpdumps and analyze packets with wireshark. The data plan is much cheaper than the $60 I would need to connect my laptop, and the 6+ hour battery life with 3G (10+ hours without 3G) gets me through the day, whereas, my laptop’s 2 hour lifespan keeps me tethered to an outlet. It is also much more convenient to carry around a flat iPad than a bigger notebook where I have to find a good sitting area to use it. I have console macros created that lets me easily start a dump with just a few keystrokes once I am logged in.

My note pad: I take my iPad with me everywhere I go to take notes when speaking with engineers. I record details on their topology and other data where I access the information on my laptop using Evernote. It’s all synced. It is MUCH easier to carry around my iPad. With my laptop, I used to have to take my laptop or a piece of paper to their desk, open it up and start working. Now I just walk to their desk and immediately take notes. I don’t have to set anything up… I just “do”.

My document reader: Since I carry around my iPad all the time, I use it to carry tech PDFs with me wherever I go for reference purposes. I use it to read product documentation and access network topology maps saved as PDFs or powerpoints. I can pull up my ipad, and within a few seconds bring up a network topology to answer engineer questions ON THE SPOT without sitting down or having to uncomfortably carry a laptop. Also, while moving around and going to meetings I never run out of battery life with my iPad. My laptop ALWAYS gives out. It NEVER lasts the entire day without being tethered to a power source.

My device monitor: While connected to a work VPN, I am able to monitor device status through Safari and INSTANTLY get the information I need. Again, I just pull it out like a pad of paper and read the information then and there… on the go.

On break entertainment: When my iPad and I are not busy working, I love to listen to music, watch a video or two, or play any of a number of different games. I LOVE the Bruce Lee game right now with graphics that meet or exceed what you have on PS2.

In short, you cannot pry my iPad from my hands. It is now an integral part of my work day and also plays a major part in keeping me sane when dealing with network management issues. I LOVE my iPad.

Are you a network administrator? How do you use your iPad to get you through the day? What apps get your job done?

iPad at Work: local network management is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Good news and bad news time — readers are letting us know they’re starting to get their “prepared for shipment” notifications from Apple, but others are getting order cancelations.

You can see the prepared for shipment notice up top. The cancelation is after the break and appears linked to a failure to authorize. There’s a theory going around that this has to do with people who, during the great order frak-up of 2010, ended up hitting the “submit” button multiple times, and these are just the extra phones being cancelled, but who knows at this point?

If you’ve gotten an notification from Apple or AT&T, let us know in the comments.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in, including Darren and David. Additional info via Gizmodo]

“Dear Customer,

We were unable to complete the authorization process for your iPhone order. As a result, we had to cancel your iPhone order. To complete the purchase of your iPhone, please visit an Apple Retail Store or an AT&T company-owned retail store.

To locate an Apple Retail Store near you, please visit http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Apple Online Store Team

Some iPhone 4 orders prepared to ship, others getting cancelled? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Rogers has released a free iPad app called Rogers Live 2010 FIFA World Cup, allowing users on their network to watch:

All 64 games available in English (including consecutive "Round of 16" broadcasts) and 56 games broadcast in French.

Works over Rogers 3G (7.2 HSDPA) or Wi-Fi, and incredibly:

Data consumed by the application over 3G will NOT be deducted from your data bucket.

You need to be in Canada, and a Rogers subscriber (you need to be on the Rogers 3G network to authenticate) but if you are, try it out and let us know what you think.

[iTunes]

Rogers Live 2010 FIFA World Cup now in Canadian App Store (Rogers subscribers only) is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog