Scott Magdalein

Apple this summer will go a long way towards silencing critics and catering to one of the most prevalent demands of its iPhone user base, when it introduces a multitasking solution through the handset's 4.0 software update that will finally allow several third party apps to run concurrently and in the background.

Multitasking on the iPhone would be a huge win for Apple. But, with no details, who can say that the solution they roll out won't be another disappointment? Because honestly, the problem isn't that you can't run Pandora while browsing the web.

The problem is that each app exists and functions in a silo of single-purpose usefulness. Not only will multitasking need to be added, but developers will need a new language/method for allowing apps to communicate with one another, users will have to learn a new paradigm for interacting with the iPhone OS, and Apple will need a new way to ensure the security of each user's data.

Multitasking is big and I hope Apple executes it properly.