In keeping with the rumor-hysteria that generally precedes the release of any Apple device, AppleInsider, as well as several other prominent technology blogs including Mashable.com and VentureBeat.com, have reported that we will likely see some major changes to the iPhone with version 4.0, which is scheduled for release this summer.

Mobile users have been complaining for years about the inability of the iPhone to support multiple third-party applications at the same time and this is not the first time such rumors have gained traction with Apple fans, although insiders and critics seem to be taking them more seriously this time around.
If the iPhone 4.0 does allow for multitasking, it will assuage many critics’ complaints against the 3.0 version, which does not support multitasking with 3rd party applications. Furthermore, it may indicate a shift in direction for the iPod Touch as well as the iPad, which will be on sale this week.
 
Historically Apple has been unsupportive of app multitasking because of security dangers that excessive background apps could present, as well as the shortage of battery life. But whether or not there is any real foundation for these rumors, it is clear that a transformation is underway for the iPhone.