iPhone OS 4.0 software specs multitasking plans

Rumor has it that the iPhone OS 4.0 software specs include support for multitasking. Such plans would mean that not only core Apple apps would be runnable in the background. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers have a heated debate.

By Richi Jennings. March 12, 2010.
(AAPL)

Your humble blogwatcher selected these bloggy morsels for your enjoyment. Not to mention New life for old jokes...
 
 
Kasper Jade and Prince McLean monger rumors:

People with a proven track record in predicting Apple's technological advances [say] that the Cupertino-based company has developed a "full-on solution" to multitasking on the iPhone OS. ... It was requested that specifics be withheld at this time, as the iPhone Software 4.0 remains under development and reportedly has a quite 'way to go'.
...
Among these apps begging for background execution are: Pandora-style Internet radio; third party instant messaging features; ... and Loopt or Google Latitude type apps that report the user's location. ... A multitasking third party app model would also require a way for apps to communicate with each other or prioritize resource allocation. ... One of the most requested features for the iPhone, multitasking has been falsely rumored to arrive on Apple's handset numerous times ... but never came to be. .

Seth Weintraub has another source for the rumor:

Developers have been combing through the recent build of the iPhone OS SDK and have found new references to multitasking in a files throughout the SDK. ... [This] is but one example:
...
// New to Apex, some devices/builds have spotlight lumped in with the multitasking dialog box

Cade Metz notes that Jobs moves in mysterious ways, prophesying salvation from single-tasking:

Only a heretic would claim that the Jesus Phone is incapable of multitasking. The ability to act in two places at the same time has long been a sign of divine recognition ... and this saint-like talent for "bilocation" was bestowed on Apple's Holy Handset from the beginning. ... the iPhone OS supports full preemptive multitasking - and always has. But it chooses not to exhibit this divine gift with third-party applications. The current version only allows multitasking with certain core Apple applications.
...
These Latter Day Saints of Cupertino are not to be confused with St Joseph of Cupertino, who was said to be capable not only of bilocation but levitation as well. Different Cupertino. Different century.

In a similar vein, Chris Foresman predicts "multitasking nirvana":

Remember, it took three major versions of iPhone OS before there was system-wide cut-copy-paste ... the interface ended up working extremely well. We expect Apple has likewise put extensive work into making running multiple apps as straightforward as possible while still offering ... stability, battery life, security, and ease of use.

Nick Mokey ponders the process:

The challenge for Apple engineers will be to unchain this ... functionality without compromising security, reliability, or making the interface more confusing. Despite the drawbacks, the iPhone’s unitasking approach to apps has also lent it an air of simplicity and ease that Apple risks losing.
...
Jailbroken iPhones already have the ability to run multiple apps at once through third-party tools like Backgrounder and Kirikae. ... Users ... hold down the home button from any app to “background” it, then double tap it quickly to see a task manager with different apps open.

Darrell Etherington predictifies:

I predict that mutitasking will only work on newer hardware, most likely the 3GS and above. ... I’m betting on some kind of Exposé-type interface, possibly accessed through a special gesture or ... the one used now to bring up the iPhone’s Spotlight search screen. ... [Or] take a page out of mobile Safari’s book, and use an interface similar to the one the browser has for displaying multiple pages.
...
I’m sure Apple can handle the UI challenges, but I’m much more wary about how it addresses the potential security risks that come with opening up backgrounding.

Mitch Wagner waxes equivocal:

Apple ... doesn't add features just because competitors have them. Apple will add multitasking to the iPhone when it thinks it's got multitasking right. If they were willing to go a long time without cut-and-paste, they won't cave on this issue.
...
I'm not thrilled to get multitasking. I love my iPhone even without it. ... On the other hand, I can see the usefulness. Pandora and other streaming-audio apps could benefit a great deal from running in the background.

But Todd Ogasawara is dismissive:

I'm labeling this wild-eyed speculation. For all we know, this source might be the same one that said the 3rd generation iPod touch would gain a camera last year or that the iPad would launch with service from Verizon ... or that the iPad would have a front-facing camera video conferencing.

And Fake Steve simply can't contain himself:

It sounds like the kind of thing our engineers might make up some night when they’re all getting drunk and then “leak” to some person with a “proven track record” of not being able to keep a ****ing secret.
...
Do you ****ing people have nothing better to do with your lives than worry what we may or may not do? ... Really? This is what you sit around doing? Sneaking around trying to pry out weird bits of information about what might happen in the next version of an operating system for a phone? And then ... trying to claim bragging rights for being the best at predicting future Apple features? ... You need to get a life. Find some woods, and go for a walk. Go to the gym. Read a good book. Go volunteer at a food bank or homeless shelter. ... Repeat after me: It’s just a phone. Regain some perspective, you big weenie losers.

So what's your take?
Get involved: leave a comment.
 
 
And finally...

• New life for old jokes
  

Richi Jennings is an independent analyst/consultant, specializing in blogging, email, and security. A cross-functional IT geek since 1985, he is also an analyst at Ferris Research. You can follow him as @richi on Twitter, or richij on FriendFeed, pretend to be richij's friend on Facebook, or just use good old email: itblogwatch@richij.com.

 
 
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