Apple (AAPL) Gives iPhone Users Multitasking In New OS 4

In what has been a long-awaited addition to its popular smart phone, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced Thursday that multitasking will soon be coming to the iPhone.

The change, which will also affect the recently released iPad tablet computer and the iPod Touch, will happen this summer and be known as iPhone OS 4.

The update will now allow users of the iPhone to check and email on the internet while also listen to music from another application. Up till now, iPhone users had to return to the device’s home screen, effectively closing one program to start a new task, an ability that many other smart phones already have.

"We weren't the first to this party, but we're going to be the best," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said Thursday to applause from industry blogger, developers and media.

Apple usually distribute software updates as free downloads that will go into effect automatically when the program is made available.

"It really changes the way you use the iPhone," Jobs said. "You're bouncing around the apps with tremendous fluidity."

The iPhone has already had some multitasking functionality, but it has been limited to Apple’s own programs. Now the numerous applications from outside developers will be able to run simultaneously to create even greater ease of use.

The update will only work with the latest version of the iPhone and iPod Touch, so those with the original iPhone or 3G version will still be stuck with running one program at a time. The iPhone 3GS, which was released last summer will be the only current model capable of handling the update.

Now if Apple could only get Flash media to play on its devices they would really be making some progress.

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