Photo from Engadget
Apple announced this morning that the new mobile operating system for iPhone will support multitasking. iPhone OS 4, officially shipping this summer, will now enable users to run multiple apps at the same time.
Music lovers might be particularly moved by this news, as third-party music streaming apps will now be able to run in the background of another utility app. For example. Pandora fans will now be able to stream their favorite customized radio station from their user account while they're checking email or browsing Safari. Apple also demoed the ability to use the iPod controls on the lock screen to control Pandora while it is running in the background.
Additionally, users will be able to utilize multitasking with VoIP services, like running Skype in the background or receiving calls through the service while the phone is locked. And, drivers who rely heavily on their iPhone's Tom Tom app will be able to have it read directions while their music is blaring in the background.
Senior VP of iPhone Software Scott Forstall also added that Apple will provide developers with 7 multitasking services.
When asked how will users Close these applications Jobs and Forstall told the audience:
Forstall: The user doesn't need to be the custodian of the applications. We do that for them. The user doesn't really need to worry about that at all, which we think is fantastic.
Jobs: "It's like we said on the iPad. If you see a stylus, it's the wrong product. If you see a stylus, they blew it. With multitasking, if you see a task manager, they blew it. Users shouldn't ever, ever have to think about that stuff. That's our philosophy anyway."
mob1278
April 08, 2010 at 12:35pm
Think about it, the speed of the 3G is a lot slower than the 3Gs, also think abut the jailbreak factor as well, Jobs knows the 3G is easier to jailbreak than the 3Gs! With all the Api's that will be on display you can bet Jobs and company had that on their mind!
J Keirn-Swanson
April 08, 2010 at 12:21pm
that the older 3G iPhones can multitask the iPod software while going to Maps or Messages, but this kind of multitasking is just beyond the capabilities of the 3G?
I wonder if this is just a ploy to get owners of older hardware to upgrade. After all, Steve did say: "Users of the older products are going to love the update too but miss out on some of the stuff like multitasking. And if that gets them to upgrade, that's terrific." If not a rat, I at least smell something rodential about that.
MacAddict4Life
April 08, 2010 at 7:25pm
Have you ever tried to run a GPS app while just playing music through "iPod" on the iPhone 3G? The music often skips when the GPS starts to talk, and often the GPS talking skips, cuts in and out, or simply stalls and gives up. The processor power just isn't there (not to mention the battery life). In fact, I'm dubious the processor power is there on the iPhone 3GS. Hopefully there will be an "iPhone A4" this summer.
