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The big debate on whether or not the iPhone, which debuted back in 2007, needs multitasking has been one that’s gone on since day one. It’s one of those features that many take for granted, and don’t even notice they’re using the feature until, rather quietly, the feature is taken away from them. Or, for many iPhone adopters, they willingly give it away. But it looks like this all may be finally coming to an end, as sources close to AppleInsider are beginning to whisper of some very interesting things.

First and foremost, is that the iPhone OS 4.0 (which is rumored to be launched in just a few months) is finally going to offer up some kind of multitasking support. Of course, the big question is how Apple has managed to do this, considering the iPhone doesn’t have a traditional “window”-like Operating System. According to these unnamed people, Apple has found a “full-on solution” to the multitasking conundrum, by delivering a multitasking manager that leverages the interface already bundled with its other Operating System, Mac OS X. While these kinds of shady communiques are naturally kept without names and many details, it seems that this time a lot of the details are being kept under wraps simply because iPhone OS 4.0 is still a long way off, before it’s ready to be unveiled to the world.

While many believe the iPhone doesn’t multitask at all, this is simply not the case. Apple has, from the start (or at least from 2008, when the App Store launched), taken into consideration the user’s experience with their device. When you allow a full-blown multitasking experience, things like security, battery life, and resource conservation come into play. Apple did not want to sacrifice the battery life just so you could have Monkey Ball running on pause in the background. Instead, they left the multitasking up to their first-party applications, like the iPod, because they could leverage that battery life directly. But, if Apple has indeed figured out a way to make multitasking not only work on the iPhone, we look forward to seeing it in action.

[via AppleInsider]

Apple today introduced iPad, a portable tablet with Multi-Touch display, 0.5 inches thick body and weighs just 1.5 pounds. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at $499. Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers.

iPad syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so you can sync all of your contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

iPad is powered by A4, Apple’s next-generation system-on-a-chip. Designed by Apple, the new A4 chip provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours. Apple’s advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology deliver up to 1,000 charge cycles without a significant decrease in battery capacity over a typical five year lifespan.

iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. It will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model.

hands on report is now available at SlashGear

Starting in less than 2 hours time, SlashGear liveblog coverage is bringing you the first hand info on the new Apple tablet and might include the announcement of its next iPhone OS 4.0 with native multitasking support. The event will start on time from 10am PST (6pm GMT), remember to get ready for the live coverage soon at http://live.slashgear.com!

Apple announced that developers have created over 100,000 apps for the revolutionary App Store. Apple continues to improve search and discovery with new features including Genius for Apps, App Store Essentials selections, sub category listings and more valuable customer reviews. With the recently introduced iTunes 9, it’s also now easier than ever to organize and sync your apps right in iTunes and they will automatically appear on your iPhone or iPod touch with the same layout.

“The App Store, now with over 100,000 applications available, is clearly a major differentiator for millions of iPhone and iPod touch customers around the world,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The iPhone SDK created the first great platform for mobile applications and our customers are loving all of the amazing apps our developers are creating.”

The surest way for someone to generate attention is by making an Apple prediction. Apple has a cult following, and its product development and launch strategy is famously secretive, so the fact that your source is the lunch counter guy across the block from the Hon Hai factory in Taiwan won’t be discovered (or may even be considered authoritative!). Financial analysts are often the worst offenders – we have been promised an Apple tablet more times than I can count, assured that an iPhone nano was on the way, and where’s that iPod touch with a camera? Click here for the full article by Avi Greengart