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General discussion

Confused about iphone OS 4.0 multitasking

Jun 21, 2010 3:30PM PDT

Hello,

I've just upgraded to OS 4.0 on my iphone 3GS .
Main reason for doing so was the ability to multitask apps..

But multitasking doesnt seem to be working as I expected to.

For example, I am listening to music on the Spotify app or some internet radio app and would like to check my emails at the same time.

When in the internet radio app, I double tap the home button, switch to the mail app but then the music stops... if i switch back to the internet radio apps, it restarts like i'm starting it afresh from the main screen... So it looks to me that OS 4.0 "multitasking" is just a menu to quickly switch between apps but it doesnt allow apps to run concurently.

Am i missing something here ?

Also , what is this list of apps when you double tap the home button, is that a list of recently used app, or is that the list of apps currently working in the background ?

I couldnt find any official apple help on this.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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iPhone 4os
Jun 27, 2010 6:28AM PDT

Hi I found this on the Gizmodo website and it confirms your findings.

Multitasking is limited to audio streaming, VoIP and GPS apps, as well as a few other allowances: they can finish specific, important tasks in the background, for example. As far as non-music/nav/VoIP apps, those can be suspended in the background, but not left running.

I have skype and tried this whilst opening Gmaps. Quite disappointing

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multitasking
Jul 5, 2010 5:36AM PDT

I too upgraded my iPhone 3GS to 4.0.
Pandora app (its a customized radio) will run in the background while you are going thru your email.
If you have the iHeart Radio app, (which I also have) this will NOT run in the background.
Also, your iPod music player on your iPhone will run in the background while your looking at your email.

Hope this helps.