Most iPhone users may think of multitasking in those terms, but others know the power of true multitasking and Apple doesn't do it for most apps, save a select few like audio and only what the user can see on the screen. When you say better, is it better that Apple gets to pick which apps are allowed to multitask (pandora) through it's API's and leaving things off like instant messaging which would conflict with the roadmap to iChat. They choose which ones can't or are really just limited to fast switching from a suspended state (sorry Apple, that's not multitasking) Multitasking is the sharing of CPU and should not be limited by what the user can see as in Apple's case. This under the guise that the poor user needs helps with the battery management which would die quicker than your average Android as there is no magic battery in the iPhone that makes it seem to last any longer. It actually dies faster on standby than a MyTouch 4g, the best straight up comparison to the iPhone 4. But again they'll say that's a good thing to keep the user from complaining about the battery life like iPhone 3 and that was without any type of multitasking. Memory management is the only thing that should limit background processes, not what Apple deems necessary for you. OS is supposed to foster apps running, not get in the way and compete with them with it's own "integated OS features aka Apple apps". Also it is the reason they won't/can't do the much better UX of allowing widgets with no or one touch access to info/apps instead of the more than one touch required in iOS.
Just because some end users are mistaken about what high powered multitasking means, does not mean they don't know how powerful something is when they see it. They know it betters their user experience when they can activate the screen and immediately see a weather report, rss feed, up to the second cash account, or a one touch to a voice activated command.

Also it is interesting that every update to iOS5 was either a blatant ripoff of Android (i.e. notifications), something else Android already had (camera button) , applications added to the OS that you could already easily do with better 3rd party apps on Android and iPhone (i.e. famous wireless....um no it's wired cause ya gotta plug into power and as long as I do not have to plug it into a pc....sync) or closing ranks and pretending iMessage isn't just slow IM with a group feature. This feature is meant to try to alienate any one without iOS or is it to isolate iPhone users from others? iMessage uses the selling point of free text messaging to anyone with an iDevice, really? This spin while ripping off the UI from the best 3rd party messaging apps. They remind users that those poor people on the other end can't really talk to me because of their phone making it look like a problem on the other end. Wouldn't be Apple up to it's old tricks of trying to shut down something as universal as SMS or IM while repackaging technology to be proprietary to their devices. Wow talk about manipulation of the end user! http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/built-in-apps/messages.html

I guess the hype about it going on in the Mac Forums speak for itself.

My favorite quotes:
" i like iMessage because now i know friends who are on iOS5! coolness!" -translation, now I know who to shun for not being as smart as me.
"Too bad I don't have anyone to try it with :|" - Get another phone, don't limit your friends too along with your computer choices.
"Five minute delay? Not bad. if the message is THAT urgent, I'd rather give the other party a call." - Wow, lowered expectations on messaging.
"To those hoping for a "mature" iMessage, replete with toggle switches: Don't keep your hopes up. Apple is not in the business of complicating things to accommodate people who prefer to complicate things. Find yourself the best unlimited or bulk data plan so you can use your iPhone the way it was designed. Nothing personal, but if you can't afford that for your iPhone use, you have to wonder why you bought an iPhone." - Ouch! Julia Roberts Pretty Woman Shopping moment there.
"When it comes to sending pictures thru iMessage, is there any way to make it faster? Mine takes like 10-15 minutes before the picture is sent" -Yeah mms or email!