I am Asking for a very basic thing. I want to go to the browser get a movie to start downloading from YouTube, and while waiting - to read and/or reply to mail. Once I hear in the background that the movie started, I'll switch back to the browser, and watch the movie.
That sounds like a reach. If the youtube app wanted to, or the hook into Safari, it could do that. But why? I don't "wait" for youtube vids to start--not long enough to do anything else anyway. And I would prolly wanna see it anyway.
Regardless, you have so far listed an app example.... not a limitation of the OS.
Another Example. I want to be able to open at the same time 5 sites on my browser. While the system is loading them I will use the time to write some memo. The sites will load in the background ( Internet might be sloaw - so it takes time...).
iOS has always done that. I have done that on my iPhone since 2007. Not a new feature.
I watch a movie. I am getting to a boring part , I want it to run in the background while I am into my mail. Geting back when the good part starts...
And a lot of other examples for real true multitasking.
That is kind of a lame example. For one thing, I am thinking that many people want to actually watch a movie while it is playing. Regardless, a sound stream could play if it was desired. For me it is not something I would want.
Moreoever.... look at what you just wrote. Here is what I would do if I encountered a boring part: skip over it. Why would I want to keep it playing if I can just skip it?
Regardless, it most certainly is possible in the OS.
Michael