Apple keen on background applications
Though 3.0 might not provide an immediate solution
Being able to run in the background on the iPhone would expand the possibility of a great many games and applications, and is one of the major features developers have been hoping for in the new 3.0 iPhone update.
According to TechCrunch, Cupertino is is avidly working on a solution that goes beyond access to its push notification system, though it now seems any announcement made at the Worldwide Developers Conference won't be immediately implemented.
For once, Apple's strict policing of iPhone applications is quite prudent, as running programs in the background could also have some serious drawbacks. Battery life would be reduced since the CPU and data would be running for more of the time, while there are also concerns over the type and amount of information background apps would be sending and receiving.
Sources close to Apple say the manufacturer is anxious to fathom a solution, however, as this is one of the areas the new Palm Pre is ahead - since its WebOS is built around a multitasking system.
It also lends weight to the rumours that a new iPhone model will have a faster processor (or one that's not quite so underclocked, anyway), more RAM and a more powerful battery.
