Well, let's see…

These few things come to my mind first, when I think about multitasking:
1) I did like running latitude and update my location while I walk (with my old Symbian and WM devices)
2) It would be much better running Skype in the background and being able to receive those calls also
3) I would run my favorite IM app in the background… And as I guess someone would disagree I would clarify, I hate push notifications (aside from my exchange mail)

It would be awesome to be able to do these things, without sacrificing one for the other. And, although it might be a choice to do one thing at a time, an incoming call would ruin your Google Reader session. Yes, it gets back when you finish, but where's the post I was reading? Or, while during a skype call, what happenes if u get a cellular call? Oh gosh, skype closes instantly… Very nice attitude for the other party you were talking.

So, multitasking is just a necessity for me, in this era. The thing is, I already have it on my JB iphone with Backgrounder and Krikae/Multifl0w/ProSwitcher. The only love I need is more hardware, eg. RAM and CPU.

The iPhone 3GS have them, but it's harder to JB… So the main problem is Apple's struggle with JB which I can understand (all the warez scene etc)… So, basically, Apple would only need to adopt SBSettings, Backgrounder and ProSwitcher directly into iPhone OS… And it would do the job, much better than anything.

I generally have Last.FM, Orb or Pandora running in the car at all times, jacked into the stereo, and there is *zero* reason why I shouldn't be able to multi-task these applications in 2010.

I think a limited multitasking approach would be the best scenario for Apple. For instance, giving us the ability to run a second application in the background, but limiting it to that one other application. Outside of that, I really don't see a need to have a dozen applications running at once on my phone.

I have to disagree about the multitasking. I would like for Apple to give us some sort of multitasking even if it's limited. I utilizing Pastebot & Dropbox in the background when I am working on something so I don't have to open and close them constantly…. I know it only takes a few seconds to open and close apps, but it really does save valuable time.

I agree with you both on the qwerty keyboard… My last phone to have a keyboard was the Palm Treo 750. I will never go back….

My needs/'uses are likely a lot different than yours, but here's how my storage looks:
4GB Music
15GB Video (I should trim this down)
2.5GB Apps
350MB Photos

I mean I could squeak by with an 8GB iPhone but I really wouldn't be able to fit everything I want on there. I tend to spend a good chunk of my day at work (on a slow day) with movies going in the background so I carry a selection of those with me. If it wasn't for those, you're right 8GB would be plenty.

As for multi-tasking, I always thought it would be a huge problem, but its really not like you said. Sure there's a few use cases I can make for it, like IM or streaming radio, but for the most part I don't miss it and I definitely don't miss the lost battery life that comes with multitasking.

Buttons. Couldn't agree more. I've tried going back to a qwerty device (a couple actually) over the past years since I got my first iPhone. Frankly – they suck. They're too small to hit accurately, they take up a ton of space all the time and you still have to look to type for the most part so there's little to no gain.