It will undoubtedly work very well. Apple products generally work very well. But it will work well because the multitasking by third party apps is intentionally very limited. In fact, unlike the virtually unlimited multitasking on the Android platform, the Apple approach is to leave the O/S in charge of running specific applications in a multitasking environment. In contrast, the Android o/s lets applications take over and limits itself to managing memory demands.
This is an understandable "compromise" design that largely eliminates many of the issues associated with memory management, unpredictable performance, etc. Likewise it completely eliminates the need for "task killers" since there is no way for individual applications or a combination of applications to drag down performance or drain the battery. The control the O/S exerts and the limited extent of multitasking assures that.
Of course, all designs are "compromises" and the Apple approach has disadvantages. First, of course, it severely limits the combination of individual apps that can run simultaneously. Apple has determined, for example, that a user might want to listen to music while texting but other combinations, say playing a game while taking notes, makes no sense and would not be allowed.
Second, it leaves Apple in full control of particular applications' functionality. You'll likely see that only iTunes can play music in a multitasking environment even if other music players are allowed on the system.
Smart marketing and a good consumer device. Not what most folks on this board would want but the approach will appeal tremendously to the mass consumer market.
I agree that what Apple implements will work VERY well, but the limits placed on it irk me. I don't like the iron clad fist Apple governs the iPhone with. Just me however.... to each their own.
Ah, but along with the drawbacks of the iron fist are definite benefits. Just roam around in this forum looking at the issues people are having. 90% of those are not directly related to the OS itself, but rather to tweaks, mods, apps, widgets or something the user has done to their device that is now kicking up the law of unintended consequences.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my Droid and Android. I also love my iPods and Macs. They are different philosophies, sometimes for different kinds of people. I guess the one thing I would say is the folks who jailbreak their iPhones could probably save themselves some hassle by just going Android and calling it a day. But if my Mom were to ask me what phone to get, all things being equal, I would probably suggest an iPhone-easier for her (she'll enjoy in and not break things) and easier for me (less tech support). jsh1120 puts it very well-any kind of technology or engineering is a matter of making compromises. It is up to the consumer to understand the compromises, and resulting features, to choose the device or technology that is right for them.
For the life of me, I don't understand why people take these things personally. I use Macs. If somebody asks why, I explain why it's better
for me not why it's better
for them, or launch into some kind of anti-Windows rant. I don't understand comments like "I hate iPhones and the people who use them"- I would suspect that the reason for these sentiments is that these people have had that exact attitude foisted upon them by "the other side". Technology does not define a person, and there are perfectly valid reasons for choosing one over another.
Look at it this way-even if you hate the iPhone's technology and user experience, this is great news for everybody here. Just as the iPhone pushed development of Android, Android has now pushed development of the iPhone. This competition is the very thing that breeds innovation and is what is going to give us our next amazing feature (I don't know, maybe hands-free calling? Oh, wait...)
