All my apps running in the background... WTF

No.

They aren't running. They're just sitting there, unless it's a specially designed multitasking app.

 

All apps do not run in the background.

The double tap is a "recent" application list. Most apps just use fast-switching, which does not use any additional resources.

The only apps that "run" in the background are pandora, skype, things like that that you'd clearly know was running. Some apps can also do short term tasks like finishing downloading or some light processing, but almost nothing runs in the background in a traditional sense.

 

No, the "multitasking" bar is just a recently used apps list. None of the apps in the bar are using any CPU resources so the battery is not affected. Apps that seem to switch faster do so because they have their state saved and restored quickly by the OS.

The only exception is in certain apps like Pandora, which actually run in the background if you leave it playing. And to stop Pandora you just press the pause button and it will no longer be running in the background.

So basically you do not need to use the minus button in the task bar.

 

Someone needs to watch the keynote on Apple's website.

 

It's a non issue. There are multiple threads about this. The apps aren't "running" in the background. Unless you have something using one of the background APIs - streaming audio, GPS - it won't be using any extra power. The fast switcher is basically a history list.

 

Good question, I've been wondering that too.
What happens when you run out of memory? Will is close the oldest program for you? Does it save the state when it does that?

 

Good reader you are...

 

You can tap hold the icons when the multitask bar is up and remove them if you like.

 

if you wanna get rid of programs from the bar, just press and hold an app on the bar and then a - sign will show up, touch that and they will be deleted from the multitask bar only