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Version 4.0 of the operating system for Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, and the forthcoming iPad will represent a major overhaul of the software and will feature a "full-on solution" to one long-standing gripe about Apple's devices -- their inability to multitask.

At least that is the latest rumor making the rounds, as reported by the AppleInsider blog. The site attributes the report to "people with a proven track record" in predicting Apple's next moves.

AppleInsider's sources offered no details, however, on how the company will deliver multitasking without compromising battery life, efficient memory usage, and security.

Multitasking Manager

Users will see a multitasking manager that "leverages interface technology" already bundled with the Mac OS X, according to AppleInsider. The site added that the operating system is still early in development and has a "way to go" before its ready for release.

The lack of full multitasking on the iPhone is not strictly a technology problem. The current iPhone 3.x software is a multitasking operating system, but Apple artificially restricts third-party applications from running in the background.

This is an intentional choice Apple made in version 2.x of the software as part of the security model. By cutting off apps when the user hits the hardware button or answers an incoming call, third-party apps cannot run in the background, which effectively eliminates much of the risk of viruses and spyware.

No Background Music

The downside is that users are irritated by the phone's behavior. For instance, users playing music via the Pandora music-streaming app, or listening to audio feeds of baseball games via the MLB.com app -- just the type of content that works best in the background -- cannot switch to games or productivity apps while listening to audio streams.

Other apps that users want to be able to run in the background are instant messaging programs (other...

U.S. regulators are reportedly digging deeper into Google's planned AdMob acquisition. The Federal Trade Commission is asking for sworn statements from the search giant's competitors and advertisers in what could signal plans to hold up the merger. The news comes as part of a wave of government scrutiny against the maturing company.

According to Bloomberg News, the FTC is seeking to learn whether Google's proposed purchase of the mobile-ad technology provider would lessen competition in the market for Internet advertising on mobile phones. The FTC couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Bloomberg didn't identify the names of two companies that said they were asked to sign statements for the probe. However, it's likely that the FTC spoke with companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, Jumptap and Millenial Media, all of which have stakes in this growing space.

Will Google Dominate Mobile?

"We're continuing to talk with the FTC and provide the information that they've asked for, but we're not going to discuss the details of that process," a Google spokesperson said. "We're confident that they'll conclude that the rapidly growing mobile-advertising space will remain highly competitive after this deal closes."

Google announced plans to acquire AdMob for $750 million in stock in November. Although the FTC is concerned that the acquisition would reduce competition, Google painted a win-win picture, predicting the acquisition would enhance the company's expertise and technology in mobile advertising and give advertisers and publishers more choice in the emerging mobile market.

Google is jockeying for position in a mobile market that is projected to be worth billions in just a few years. Jupiter Research issued a recent report, Mobile Advertising: Delivery Channels, Business Models & Forecasts, that predicts the mobile-advertising market will grow to $5.7 billion by 2014.

According to IDC, if the Google-AdMob merger is approved, it would create the mobile-advertising industry's largest company....

In a move to shake up the online gaming industry, OnLive has announced PC and Mac versions of its on-demand, instant-play games will roll out in June during the E3 2010 show. Here's the rub: Gamers don't have to buy a console, and they can get broadband speeds.

OnLive delivers games to HDTVs over an Internet connection via a small browser plug-in for PCs and OnLive's MicroConsole TV Adapter, which will roll out later this year. The company is billing its game service as a way to find, purchase or rent video games from publishers like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft 2K Games, THQ and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

"The idea here is that you buy or rent the games and stream them. That's pretty challenging when it comes to gaming because you need very quick responses," said Michael Gartenberg, a partner at the Altimeter Group. "OnLive is an interesting twist. The question is how it's going to work in real time over the network."

A Subscription Model

The OnLive service will cost $14.95 a month and give gamers access to a library of games. OnLive said it will also offer loyalty programs, such as multi-month pricing.

To kick-start the service, OnLive is offering to waive fees for the first three months for the first 25,000 gamers who sign up for a subscription. Full versions of the games will be available for purchase or rent during the introductory period.

OnLive said its service will offer features like gamer tags, user profiles, friends and chat, and hinted at exclusive content such as state-of-the-art 3-D graphics. The service will also offer free game demos; multiplayer games across PC, Mac and TV platforms; and Brag Clips video capture and posting. Finally, OnLive will introduce massive spectating, always-updated games, cloud-saved games, and the ability to pause and resume games from anywhere,...