Apple plans to offer a “full-on solution” for multitasking in version 4.0 of the iPhone OS, according to AppleInsider.

An inability to run more than one application at a time is one of the most frequent criticisms of the iPhone OS - and the ability to multitask is often touted as a point of differentiation by rival handset makers. The new version of the iPhone OS is expected to launch this summer.

The story is attributed to “people with a proven track record in predicting Apple’s technological advances.”

The piece notes that there has never been a technical issue preventing the phone from running multiple third-party apps at the same time; the issue is that the phone’s security model takes that approach to prevent apps from running in the background without the user knowing it, eliminating potential spyware, adware and viruses.

Source: The Wall Street Journal