Apple can take its more limited approach because it only has to support a few hardware configurations and so it can use a more narrowly-focused multitasking implementation, as compared to the myriad devices that feature the Android OS. Both approaches are well-informed, both work well, and ultimately, they are both fairly similar in their presentation to the user.

Which should you have in your pocket; an Android device or an iPhone? As it turns out, multitasking support may be one area where the two platforms have the most in common, even pre-iOS4! As such you may want to evaluate other features first, like which platform has the apps you want, which fits better in your pocket, or which looks better on your desk.

GeekTech blogger Christopher Head is a researcher at the .