[iaskwhy]

I would be more than happy with no multitasking at all with one exception: sms.

And I'm pretty sure that if I include another two apps (safari and mail) on my exception list most people would be okay without multitasking.

I don't need a window manager, I need to focus on the app I'm using and the ability to reply (or send) sms and mails and check something on the web without quitting the current app.

[enjo]

There are a range of applications, including highly useful ones, that simply needs multi-tasking. Anything that is time based (think calendars, alarm clocks, etc...) really need multi-tasking to work correctly. A host of location aware applications really need multi-tasking to work effectively.

I get Apples position. The iPhone is the spiritual successor to the PalmOS. It looks, feels, and works very similarly to it. Even early finger-based applications first made their appearance on the Palm (here's looking at you SnapperMail with your fat finger mode). The Palm had thousands of apps and solved a ton of problems without multi-tasking. So I get it... you can build a really useful device without it.

Yet there is so much more you can do with a well thought-out system like Android has. As Android gets more traction (and thus more developer interest) I think your going to see more and more separation between the quality of the apps available on the devices. There are simply going to be killer applications that force Apples hand to stay competitive.

[stcredzero]

There are a range of applications, including highly useful ones, that simply needs multi-tasking. Anything that is time based (think calendars, alarm clocks, etc...) really need multi-tasking to work correctly. A host of location aware applications really need multi-tasking to work effectively.

Very few apps need completely open ended multitasking. Most apps need very specific capabilities. An API for registering time limited functions with timing, location, and other services would take care of 90% of the needs out there.

[theBobMcCormick]

I think you've just made enjo's point for him. You said "Most apps need very specific capabilities. An API for registering time limited functions with timing, location, and other services would take care of 90% of the needs out there." That IS almost exactly the very well thought-out system that Android provides and that enjo was talking about.