Apple Working on Split-Screen Multitasking, Multi-User Support for iPad

JackANSI · May 22, 2015

Seems to me the word "delay" is being used a whole heck of a lot more these days when referring to Apple things...

kd5jos · May 22, 2015

sracer said:
There are many factors there for you, but obviously multiwindow isn't one of them. Perhaps the greatest reason why don't use the NoteTab much is because touch-optimized Modern UI apps are fewer and of lower quality than what is available for Android and iOS.

I too have Android, iOS, and Windows tablets, and my Windows tablets see the least amount of use as tablets. (I DO use the Switch 11 as a notebook and sketchbook) I can trace that to the apps.

Multiwindow on my GTab 8.4 Pro is very handy. I can have a word processor open in one window and a reference app (or website) in another and be able to switch easily between the two. That's on an 8.4" screen. That capability on a larger iOS-based device? I drool with anticipation.

Well written. You mentioned some things I hadn't considered. I MAY just have to correct myself. Can I say, "Okay Apple, SHOW me I need this?"

I can run Steam and games I have purchased on my Windows Tablet. If the ASUS had HDMI out I could use it as a steam box (with an Xbox 360 wireless controller). Funny, I don't know why no one has gone this route for a Steam Box (the next version of the nVidia Shield tablet could handle it in spades).

Anyway, I appreciate what you added.

StoneJack · May 22, 2015

Dennison said:
Uh, lol, no...

... and it won't have a stylus either.

My understanding is that iPad will have pressure sensitive stylus, rather limiting pressure sensitivity to iPad pro. The stylus can be used on all iPads, not just pros.

LordVic · May 22, 2015

kd5jos said:
Well written. You mentioned some things I hadn't considered. I MAY just have to correct myself. Can I say, "Okay Apple, SHOW me I need this?"

I can run Steam and games I have purchased on my Windows Tablet. If the ASUS had HDMI out I could use it as a steam box (with an Xbox 360 wireless controller). Funny, I don't know why no one has gone this route for a Steam Box (the next version of the nVidia Shield tablet could handle it in spades).

Anyway, I appreciate what you added.

My current 'steam' box is almost exactly that. Its one of the uses I have for the Surface pro. I'm sure the new Surface 3 would be able to handle it too

to be honest, Any modern x86 based tablet with a USB port and external graphics port can handle steam in game homestreaming for a steam box.

Will0827 · May 22, 2015

Where would you guys price the iPad Pro, trying to see where it would sit amongst the competition of other products including apple ones it is difficult to see where to place the device. I think apples biggest challenge will be to convince people why to buy it over a cheaper and liked iPad or the very much liked Macbooks.

The Direct Competion
Macbook Air 13 999.99
Surface Pro 3 (I5 128GB) W/O Typecover 999.99
Surface Pro 3 (I5 128GB) W/ Typecover 1129.98
Macbook Retina 1299.99
Macbook Pro Retina 1299.99
Other Various Laptops 899.99 & Up

The Near Competition
Surface 3 (128GB) W/O Typecover 599.99
Surface 3 (128GB) W/ Typecover 729.98
iPad Air 2 (128GB) 699.99
iPad Air 2 (128GB) W/ Logitech Covers 789.98/799.99
Macbook Air 11 899.99

sracer · May 22, 2015

kd5jos said:
Well written. You mentioned some things I hadn't considered. I MAY just have to correct myself. Can I say, "Okay Apple, SHOW me I need this?"

I can run Steam and games I have purchased on my Windows Tablet. If the ASUS had HDMI out I could use it as a steam box (with an Xbox 360 wireless controller). Funny, I don't know why no one has gone this route for a Steam Box (the next version of the nVidia Shield tablet could handle it in spades).

Anyway, I appreciate what you added.

Thanks for the kind words. The challenge to Apple that I bolded is classic Apple. I remember when rumors of the iPad were running up before announcement... pundits said it would be a $1000 tablet. When it was announced @ $499, jaws hit the floor. That response didn't last long as focus shifted to poking fun at the name "iPad", the lack of a stylus, and claims that it was nothing more than a large phone.

People didn't "get it" until they "got it". Apple forged a path in the tablet realm that was different than every attempt before it.

I'm hoping that Apple does the same thing with hybrid/tablet+ devices.

=Alb= · May 22, 2015

Welcome to Windoze 1.0

What an involution, Apple!!!
(missing Jobs. BADLY)

techwhiz · May 22, 2015

I Galaxy Tab Pro and my LG G3 does split screen already.
Way to go Apple.... Catch up.

Oh, and I do like Apple.

Billy95Tech · May 22, 2015

iSee said:
I don't know where you got five years from. Five years ago tablets (as we know them know) just barely existed. Even today it's not like the competing split-screen options are setting the world on fire. They range from mediocre (Windows) to horrible (Samsung). I don't know what Apple will accomplish, but it's hard think of them as behind when the current implementations are mostly junk.

LOL!!!

Samsung are not horrible! I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and it is great and i'm very happy with it!

What are you talking about?!! Samsung makes great tablets!!!!

OceanView · May 22, 2015

Bubba Satori said:
Only Apple can do this kind of innovation.

This was available in 2012-2013 on Samsung Phones and Tablets.

Rogifan · May 22, 2015

Lictor said:
They're for what most patents are for : preventing the competition from being able to innovate. Companies like Apple and Microsoft deposit kilograms of patents daily - that's why the patent office is not able to verify that they're valid. Most of them are never used, unless a competitor happens to integrate an innovation that might be covered by one of your patents.

Well I'm willing to make a bet with you that an Apple stylus will come out within the next two years.

----------

duffman9000 said:
^^^ iPad sales have cratered. Instead of concentrating on new features, it's been the same-ol-same for years.

How is split screen multitasking not a new feature as it currently doesn't exist on any iPad.

Benjamin Frost · May 23, 2015

jpgr15 said:
Great. Now how about they give me a stock calculator app.

You might find a calculator for making sauces on the App Store. Not sure that Apple will include one by default, as they might regard it as rather niche.

----------

aprofetto8 said:
This also better be on devices other than the iPad Pro.

Like the Apple Watch.

Indeed.

When I can edit my spreadsheet whilst editing video in Final Cut Pro split-screen, the Apple Watch will have come of age.

Benjamin Frost · May 23, 2015

I would like sophisticated split-screen for the Mac as well as the iPad.

More important is proper file management for iCloud Drive on the iPad, along with PDF to print.

Apple Knowledge Navigator · May 23, 2015

MacHiavelli said:
An ARM MacBook running iOS is edging closer.

It amazes me that people still say that. Why on earth would Apple produce a Mac branded product and stick iOS on it, just for the sake of doing so? If you've seen how thin and light the new MacBooks are, it would be the most unreasonable touchscreen you could imagine as it would just keep tilting back and forth.

sracer · May 23, 2015

miniroll32 said:
It amazes me that people still say that. Why on earth would Apple produce a Mac branded product and stick iOS on it, just for the sake of doing so? If you've seen how thin and light the new MacBooks are, it would be the most unreasonable touchscreen you could imagine as it would just keep tilting back and forth.

In fairness to the many who want things like that, they have mostly come to their opinion based on the theoretical, not in actual use. I have quite a large stack of tablets, notebooks, and hybrids but there are not many who can do that so I cut them some slack.

wigby · May 23, 2015

sualpine said:
Split screens / full(proper) multitasking is not a feature. It's a fundamental aspect of the operating system and design of the device. Lack of this is indeed functionally crippling to iOS, especially on the iPad. This is not opinion. Apple is objectively behind in the area. You can successfully argue that missing it does not matter, both in sales and the general usefulness of the iPad, but you cannot argue that Apple is not behind when multitasking is still missing.

Just because Apple doesn't have a feature that others have doesn't make them behind. It only makes them behind to you if you need or want that feature. Are they behind because they don't have the hi-res stylus support that MS has? I don't care about that so they're not behind. Same goes for multitasking and 4k displays and 3d support. I don't have a need for those things and obviously Apple agrees until there is enough demand for features. They don't bother adding features or entering markets unless they believe that hundreds of millions of customers will use or choose those features.

I still haven't found a good use case for multitasking app support except for watching a video while I'm browsing but I already do that when I'm in front of my tv and on my iPad at the same time.

tdale · May 23, 2015

wigby said:
Just because Apple doesn't have a feature that others have doesn't make them behind. It only makes them behind to you if you need or want that feature. Are they behind because they don't have the hi-res stylus support that MS has? I don't care about that so they're not behind. Same goes for multitasking and 4k displays and 3d support. I don't have a need for those things and obviously Apple agrees until there is enough demand for features. They don't bother adding features or entering markets unless they believe that hundreds of millions of customers will use or choose those features.

I still haven't found a good use case for multitasking app support except for watching a video while I'm browsing but I already do that when I'm in front of my tv and on my iPad at the same time.

I am an Apple fan, and Apple are behind, but they are making solid progress. Ive read more than one article where it mentions that iOS is at or near parity. Not quite parity, but almost there, and integration is well and truly there.

oldmacs · May 23, 2015

My $92 Windows Tablet is somewhat more usable for work than my iPad due to the fact I can open two separate windows.

JayIsAwesome · May 24, 2015

Billy95Tech said:
LOL!!!

Samsung are not horrible! I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and it is great and i'm very happy with it!

What are you talking about?!! Samsung makes great tablets!!!!

Agreed. The Tab S is awesome. Even a year later, its still one of the best tablets on the market today IMO

tdale · May 24, 2015

JayIsAwesome said:
Agreed. The Tab S is awesome. Even a year later, its still one of the best tablets on the market today IMO

When the poster says

"They range from mediocre (Windows) to horrible (Samsung). I don't know what Apple will accomplish, but it's hard think of them as behind when the current implementations are mostly junk."

Well, need I say more.

JayIsAwesome · May 24, 2015

tdale said:
When the poster says

"They range from mediocre (Windows) to horrible (Samsung). I don't know what Apple will accomplish, but it's hard think of them as behind when the current implementations are mostly junk."

Well, need I say more.

I honestly don't know what you're trying to say but be that as it may, the Tab S is still one of the better tablets available today. The display on that thing is beautiful.

tdale · May 24, 2015

JayIsAwesome said:
I honestly don't know what you're trying to say but be that as it may, the Tab S is still one of the better tablets available today. The display on that thing is beautiful.

If you trace back the quotes, you will see. I was criticising fanboy comments.

sualpine · May 24, 2015

wigby said:
Just because Apple doesn't have a feature that others have doesn't make them behind. It only makes them behind to you if you need or want that feature. Are they behind because they don't have the hi-res stylus support that MS has? I don't care about that so they're not behind. Same goes for multitasking and 4k displays and 3d support. I don't have a need for those things and obviously Apple agrees until there is enough demand for features. They don't bother adding features or entering markets unless they believe that hundreds of millions of customers will use or choose those features.

I still haven't found a good use case for multitasking app support except for watching a video while I'm browsing but I already do that when I'm in front of my tv and on my iPad at the same time.

As I first stated, you not needing a missing feature does not mean the feature is not missing.

Billy95Tech · May 24, 2015

JayIsAwesome said:
Agreed. The Tab S is awesome. Even a year later, its still one of the best tablets on the market today IMO

The Upcoming Tab S2 will be even better!

Even tho i won't be getting the upcoming Tab S2 because i have a very high end and powerful Android tablet(Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4) and i don't need to buy a new Android tablet as it is good enough.

So my next tablet will be the Ipad Air 3 when it comes out this fall.
----------

tdale said:
If you trace back the quotes, you will see. I was criticising fanboy comments.

Lol you saying that Samsung makes horrible tablets.

You are soo wrong Tdale!!!!

kdarling · May 24, 2015

Bubba Satori said:
Lol you saying that Samsung makes horrible tablets.

You are soo wrong Tdale!!!!

You've misread the posts.

Tdale was pointing out how ridiculous it is for anyone to claim that all non-Apple tablets are junk.

Apple Working on Split-Screen Multitasking, Multi-User Support for iPad

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 6502

macrumors 68020

Cancelled

macrumors regular

macrumors G4

macrumors member

macrumors 65816

Suspended

macrumors 65816

macrumors Penryn

Suspended

Suspended

macrumors 68040

macrumors G4

macrumors 68030

macrumors 65816

macrumors 601

macrumors 68000

macrumors 65816

macrumors 68000

macrumors 65816

macrumors 6502

Suspended

macrumors P6

Our Staff