Apple iPhone OS 4.0 to get Multitasking soon

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It’s time to rejoice for the iPhone users. The much rumored multitasking feature is going to be introduced in the iPhone 4.0 software. Apple has finally decided to allow third party apps running concurrently in the background of iPhone.

Apple was facing complains from the critics for not providing multitasking support, for quite a long time. Now this approach would definitely refrain them from making any adverse comment in future.

So far, the iPhone 3.0 is a fully preemptive multitasking operating system, i.e. it runs specific Apple apps such as phone, SMS, iPod, email, Voice Recorder etc in the background, while restricting third party apps. Third-party apps are prevented to run in the back ground by iPhone security model. They are closed as soon as you return to the home screen or attend an incoming call.

Apple iPhone OS doesn’t lack the technical requirement for multitasking. But the problem arises due to the unavailability of windowing user interface. Launching multiple apps require an additional interface, through which user can switch between apps, without interruption. This could be a small hindrance for Apple towards enabling multitasking.

Apple Insider that leaked the news first has reported that, Apple plans to deliver a multi-tasking manager that leverages interface technology already bundled with its Mac OS X operating system.

Since the OS is same for Apple iPhone and iPad; iPad is also expected to have multitasking support. While Apple has claimed to find “full-on solution” to multitasking, how it would handle serious issues such as, the resource optimization, battery life (Running lots of background processes will inevitably kill battery life) and security is still under deep water.