[vpdn]

The cards are already showing stale information, including Apple's own apps: http://d.pr/v/NuY5. As for background updates, there are some ways around through iOS7 background modes, but the situation could certainly be improved. I agree there should be an Apple provided "AppSwitcher Kit" framework.

[nsxwolf]

Right now though, I have this intuitive belief that when I close an app, it "pauses" and the card I'm seeing is a frozen state of what the screen looked like when I hit the home button.

I don't know if that's how other people perceive it, but it does feel extra-wrong when you hack it to try to convey timely information in the switcher.