iPhone OS 4.0 May Offer More Support for Multitasking

The next version of Apple's iPhone operating system will reportedly offer greater support for running third-party applications in the background. It may also include more support for multi-touch gestures and other enhancements.

Apple is holding a press event next week where it is expected to give the world its initial glimpse of iPhone OS 4.0. This will be the official unveiling of Apple's tablet computer, which will be first device running this new version.  

Support the iSlate -- or iTablet, as this device may be called -- will require what is possibly the most significant change in the upcoming version of this operating system: support for a higher resolution screen. Currently, the iPhone OS can run on only small devices with HVGA displays, but a tablet with a 10.1-inch screen will need a greater resolution.

But Wait, There's More
According to information supposedly leaking out of Apple, iPhone 4.0 will have new features for smartphone and handheld users, too.

Near the top of many iPhone users' wish lists is full support for multi-tasking. As it stands now, Apple's own apps are able to run in the background, but third-party apps close when the user switches to another. The next version will reportedly offer more support for multi-tasking, but not yet full support.

The iPhone OS already has support for some multi-touch gestures, the best known of these is pinching an image or web page to resize it. Version 4.0 will allegedly offer more of these, which will be available throughout the user interface. However, there's no information on what any of these new gestures are going to be.

Not surprisingly, Apple is also expected to make a number of other enhancements to the user interface, but there have been only vague hints of what these will be.

Coming Soon? Probably Not
Although Apple is expected to give a first glimpse at iPhone 4.0 next Wednesday, an upgrade for current handhelds and smartphones probably won't happen for several more months, when the next-generation smartphone is introduced.

And there reportedly won't be an OS upgrade at all for the first-generation iPhone, just the iPhone 3GS and 3G. Which iPod touch models will be included is a complete mystery. 

Source: BGR