iOS 8 Likely to Bring Split-Screen Multitasking to the iPad

[Hammie]

Ugh. Do we really need this? It's the kind of feature where the idea seems better than the reality. The vast majority of users would never bother with it.

The iPad needs multi-user support much more desperately.

Multi-app/split screen could be used in a business or school environment. Watching a video for a class, while taking notes in a different app would be great. Working on a word document and pulling information from a PDF, Excel spreadsheet, or possibly two word docs is very believable in those environments.

Also, I feel a multi-user would be most accepted in a school environment where a single iPad may be used across multiple classes and students.

I personally, know very few people who would want multi-user for personal reasons. Not many of us want to "share" our iDevice since we usually would be using them at the same time. I know my kids are usually doing homework at the same time and both are using their iPads to look up information while doing it. A single iPad would just cause a ton of arguments.

 

[andrew0122]

Slide to unlock was also on Windows CE in 2005, but Apple still claimed that Samsung stole it from them - and won.

And the multi-tasking interface that Apple does have was taken from WebOS/Palm Pre in 2009.

And Apple stole slide-from-top notification center from Android, and now Apple is "following" with larger screens, possibly NFC, etc.

For what it's worth, I'm totally FINE with all of the above. Competition borrowing and refining makes better interfaces. But Apple's self-righteous stance in this area feels hypocritical since they steal just as much... going back to complaints about Windows copying Mac, when Mac was copied from Xerox in the first place.

FINALLY someone who truly understands that true innovation is INCREDIBLY RARE!

Most patents are actually refinements from original pieces of work. I personally think the slide to unlock is nothing revolutionary, yet it was improved upon by apple with the simple fade screen.

Notifications pull down was a blatant rip off. I personally think the 3 tabs on the iPhone notifications view is too much. Everything should be confined to one slide. I think Android got it right with the 1 finger for notifications and 2 fingers for quick settings. Google Now is just Superb to Siri. (Siri was also purchased by Apple before implemented into the iPhones. . . NOT innovated by Apple.)

 

[576316]

Yes please.

 

[kdarling]

But there isn't any way in hell I'd let my kid play with MY iPad. I use it far too much and am not going to throw some massive protective case on it so they won't break it.

Kid can either save up and buy him/herself one OR I'd just get them their own. Multi-user account feature or not.

I think that you need to first start off with "I don't have kids yet, but..."

Trust me, if/when you do have kids, there'll be times that you'll let them play with your iPad and you'll wish Apple did more to help you.

 

[Mr1ncredible]

Objectivity should not be such a difficult concept to grasp. Just because you favor a certain product or company over another doesn't mean you should be so close minded.

Imagine if you only had vanilla ice cream. Would you shun and bash every other flavor? So why do we do it with Apple?

Amen! While I prefer Apple and iOS and very much dislike the Android operating system in general (and that statement really only amounts to personal preference, both OS's have their merits). I am truly glad Android is there because without competition, innovation ceases.

 

[sirdir]

I don't believe that.
Or, at least, Steve wouldn't have done it.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Let me guess, now multitasking will be a desirable feature, but before Apple had it is was a gimmick and needless feature. It's funny how that seems to be around here, isn't it?

Small tablet=no good, iPad Mini= great!
Large screen phones=too big, phablet, gimmick, etc, large screen iPhone=brilliant!
NFC=dated tech, useless, etc, NFC coming to iPhone= I can't wait!
Pono and HD music= gimmick, 256kbs sounds the same, Apple may sell HD audio content = I can't wait to hear good quality music!


Disclaimer: This is not a trolling post. It is my observations of what I have read here over the past couple of years.

Thanks for the disclaimer. Is it actually the case of the same forum users expressing these opposing views, or just a varied opinion among the fan base?

Maybe a better phrasing: Is it the negative vocal minority who trash these ideas, and the rest of us who praise them after they are released?

There probably are a couple who crow about in this way...

 

[BvizioN]

It's funny that so many of us have to wait so long to be able to do these kinds of things with our devices.

I have dreamt of the day when I would be able to see 2 apps displayed side by side on the iPad! Far too long..... long.....long time. Without having 2 apps open at the same time on the display, iPad is worthless!

 

[Piggie]

Can I have a 16:10 screen please Apple.

Wanted it since day one.

I know most will strongly disagree

I'd just like the "EXTRA" space on my screen 16:10 would give.

And yes, before everyone says widescreen is smaller, no it's not. I mean ADD onto the current screen to bring it to 16:10

 

[Konrad9]

that aint happening since most of iDevices are for personal use.

For no other reason than Apple does their darndest to make it that way.

 

[BvizioN]

My Galaxy S5 has that feature. I've never used it. I played with it once and then disabled it.

Same here, I thought it was absolutely crap!

 

[yoz-y]

I really hope they will bring a better interface to multitasking than this two-app split screen. A video playing in one app while doing something in another one does not need to bring the whole other app there. Simple video overlay (in a split) and video controls are fine, same goes for music (we already have control center for that).

Sharing files between apps in a non-siloed way would be also welcome. I don't mind switching between two apps if working on a document, but sending files from one app to another - that is painful.

I've rarely met an app on my (non retina) iPad that would scale graciously into a randomly sized window.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

I think that you need to first start off with "I don't have kids yet, but..."

Trust me, if/when you do have kids, there'll be times that you'll let them play with your iPad and you'll wish Apple did more to help you.

I've got two kids. They each have there own iPad, kitted out with that ugly huge drop-proof and throw-proof dense foam protective case.

They're used iPad 2's obtained at humble prices and are perfect for them.

Of we only had one for them, they would just fight over it all the time anyway.

And yes, they learn the virtues of patience and sharing despite the fact that they aren't forced to with the iPad.

On the other hand, temper tantrums in the car have been known to be solved by throwing the iPhone into the back and letting them play some kids apps installed on my wife's phone for that very purpose...

 

[ElTorro]

Took Apple a few years, but it looks like they finally copied this feature from Samsung and MS.

 

[iPad Air]

Nice

Lol..that was basically the only thing Microsoft could boast about.

 

[69Mustang]

The quoted poster was merely providing evidence why Apple likely isn't in any hurry to implement multi-user, not why the poster (or any consumer) doesn't want it.

Oh I got that. That's why my first sentence started with "I understand your quote from Apple's perspective..."

It's the same perspective from every tablet maker. They all want 1 tablet per person. Hell, If I made tablets, I would want the exact same thing. Here's the thing with that. Not offering multi-user (MU) is no guarantee of increasing tablet sales.

Scenario: Two households - Husband (H) and Wife (W). HW Kid (K) Kid (K)

New iPad arrives with no MU
jrswizzle = HW buys 2 iPads - 1 for each person since both get heavy use

69Mustang = HWKK buy competing tablet with MU for family. Net total 2 iPads

New iPad arrives with MU

Both families buy iPads. Net total of 3 iPads. For me, the choice is never a bad thing.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Thanks for the disclaimer. Is it actually the case of the same forum users expressing these opposing views, or just a varied opinion among the fan base?

Maybe a better phrasing: Is it the negative vocal minority who trash these ideas, and the rest of us who praise them after they are released?

There probably are a couple who crow about in this way...

I don't keep track to see if any individual user flip flops, but this is generally what I see. It seems to go from a strong negative to a strong positive once Apple does it. I'm guessing that it will be the same with the Beats aquisition, the prevailing opinion on Beats headphones will change from largely negative to largely positive. Time will tell.

But there is ample evidence of the change in opinions of what I posted. Again, maybe it is completely different users, but I was just making a general observation.

 

[applesith]

And hopefully multi user accounts.

Nope. The goal is to get each person to own their own iDevice. Not share one among several people.

You would't share a phone, why a tablet?

 

[MyopicPaideia]

I really hope they will bring a better interface to multitasking than this two-app split screen. A video playing in one app while doing something in another one does not need to bring the whole other app there. Simple video overlay (in a split) and video controls are fine, same goes for music (we already have control center for that).

Sharing files between apps in a non-siloed way would be also welcome. I don't mind switching between two apps if working on a document, but sending files from one app to another - that is painful.

I've rarely met an app on my (non retina) iPad that would scale graciously into a randomly sized window.

Agree with this. Much rather have an accessible shared file system and proper full desktop multitasking with only full screen apps allowed than have split screen apps of any kind.

 

[JoEw]

OK - Apple dictating what is good or bad versus you having the ability to determine that for yourself aside, I can assure you that *if* the iPhone does increase in size, especially in the 5.5" form factor, it would be just as useful.

Apple making those deciding factors is part of why it is so popular, are they always right? Of course not, but if you want half baked crappy half working features go use all those sFeatures on those S phones

 

[SakuraSuki]

Like the poster you quoted, we'd like to hear about some of these specific things the Note 10.1 (or other tablets) do over the Air.

Not trying to be snarky or anything. I am literally curious. I hear that phrase - "the iPad just can't do the things my _____ can do" - but no one expounds on it (aside from mentioning PS3 game controller support or torrenting).

The iPad does not have S pen which is fantastic feature for Note 10.1. I have played around with orginal Note 10 from my friend, the note taking feature is very useful.

Yeah, you can take note on iPad with certain app, All these app are using zoom in and block certain part of touch screen as plam blocker. It is really not that grate of experience.

 

[cmChimera]

YES. This is in my top 3 desired features in iOS 8. Thought for sure we'd see it in iOS 7 after they showed it in Mavericks.

Me too. By the end of the keynote I was, "uh you guys forgot to say quick reply, right? RIGHT?"

I still don't get this. You want to compose a message in your current app? It will still interrupt you. What's the big deal with goings to messages and then back to your app?

It's not really about an interruption more than it's about the inconvenience of having to click on the notification, get dragged to another app, reply, double click the home button, scroll over to the previous app and resume. It's just unnecessary. I would rather just quickly reply and go about what I was doing.

 

[Compile 'em all]

Ugh. Do we really need this? It's the kind of feature where the idea seems better than the reality. The vast majority of users would never bother with it.

The iPad needs multi-user support much more desperately.

How do you know what the vast majority of users need? Wouldn't it be useful to be able to chat while browsing? Or editing a document while looking at a webpage for easy copying? I for one don't need multiuser support. I only use it myself and don't need this. Split screen is useful.

 

[SakuraSuki]

Nope. The goal is to get each person to own their own iDevice. Not share one among several people.

You would't share a phone, why a tablet?

I do share my tablet with my parents and roomate. When I do, I want multi-users support. Why in the earth both Android and Windows can do this, but Apple cannot do this?

 

[poe diddley]

I guess. Honestly it just seems like a novelty. On the ipad i could see it, but i don't wanna see it on the phones cause it just seems silly to me. To me its one of those features few will ever really need or use, but apple did just keep up with Scamsung.