AppleDApp
macrumors 68020
Althought you have all this open you still have to switch between apps. Only being able to have one window open at a time is not multi-tasking.
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iPad or Asus Transformer?
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Althought you have all this open you still have to switch between apps. Only being able to have one window open at a time is not multi-tasking.
That has nothing to the real definition of multitasking. In actual computing term, multitasking is scheduling of the CPU task priority so that it LOOKS like the computer is performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
You can even multitask in the UNIX command line environment by running processes in the background even though you'll have to type in command to find out what happened to the processes, and that's real multitasking. (times like this I'm glad I've taken a few CS courses although I'm not a CS major)
In most cases, all these discussions about "mobile multitasking" isn't really about actual multitasking of OS, but rather the mechanism of task switching for the end users and APIs available to third parties, and how the system can better represent different programs running to the users. However that doesn't really say much about the "plumbing" of the respective OS. iOS, Android, webOS, etc, are all very capable multitasking OS at their hearts and they use it all the time even though you don't notice it - detecting WiFi and upgrades, checking app status running on the background, etc.
In any case, I can run my Youtube Video in the background, work on Pages, and then at any time I can switch to Safari with a swipe to look up references, and get right back to Pages with a swipe instantly. Although there will probably instances where you'd want some more functionalities for the multitasking, I'd imagine for most people the current iOS multitasking covers most every day needs.
Heck I wish I could do background play of Youtube video or Airplay video on my Android phone, and it doesn't support it. However for most people that lack of feature of Android probably isn't that big deal. It's possible to find any mobile device's multitasking fall short in some instances, but enabling free-style multitasking without any restriction will destroy the battery life and speed.
I bought an Asus Transformer today, should be receiving it the end of next week, I will let you guys know how it is.
The above poster already said it, but I'll add some. What on earth is the point of having two apps on the same screen at once? Apps are designed to take up the entire screen. Every app is a full screen app. What are you going to do? Shrink them? Tile the windows? Watch a minimized YouTube video on tiny iPhone screen?
It doesn't make sense. It especially doesn't make sense because apps can't really interact with each other. The only interaction between, say, Pages and anything else, is the ability to copy something to the clip board and then paste it. And you sure as hell don't need two apps on the screen for that to work.
iOS provides at least two ways to switch between apps. Double tap the home button, or multi-finger swipe sideways (I can't remember if this is iOS5.0 beta only, or iOS 4.0 has it too.)
Even if you could tile 20 running apps on a tablet screen, what good would it do? You wouldn't be able to see what any of them were anyway. You would still have to switch to that app to do anything useful. 🙄
AppleDApp
macrumors 68020
exactly this is why I feel multi tasking won't truly exist in the mobile tablet world.
These are the stupidest threads; consider if I was a lion and I walked into a lions den and proceeded to ask what they thought about being friends the wildebeest.
They want to MURDER the wildebeest.
Get the ipad2 if you want to be bored in a month. Or if you have a good laptop you still will use regularly. Get the Transformer if you want the best thing next to a laptop or netbook.
It prevents me from needing to whip out my work Lenovo. It worked, best, for me.
They want to MURDER the wildebeest.
Get the ipad2 if you want to be bored in a month. Or if you have a good laptop you still will use regularly. Get the Transformer if you want the best thing next to a laptop or netbook.
It prevents me from needing to whip out my work Lenovo. It worked, best, for me.
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My post was not aimed at you.
I am a fan of PROPER multitasking. For example, why the F does Safari need to reopen every page after it was backgrounded? It cannot hold it in it's suspended memory? Very annoying.
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Yours is the kind of comment that gets this place a bad name. If you have an opinion then please back it up , otherwise its meaningless.
silverblack
macrumors 68030
I am primarily a Mac user, have most of Apple products, iMacs, iPhone, iPads, and more. I also recently purchased a couple other tablets, one of these is the Asus Transformer. Here's what I think:
The Transformer (Tf) and Android honeycomb is generally a good product. What I like most are:
- Widgets. They give you an 'overview' of important information.
- Screen layout. You can place icons where ever you want, like on a computer's desktop. This may not seem like a big deal, but after looking at iOS for a long time, you can't help wanting for something less boring.
- Keyboard dock. You get super long battery life. The dock battery actually charges up the tablet. Unlike those Bluetooth keyboards for ipads, where you have to charge them separately.
- Keyboard, with arrow keys and many useful short cuts. Great with typing long emails.
- MicroSD on the tablet, and than another SD on the dock. It's so easy to transfer files (like movies, photos) in and out.
- USB ports. You get two USB ports on the dock, which you can connect flash USB drives, hard drives, external USB mouse.
- With a cursor and (mouse) touchpad on the dock, it works like a netbook/laptop. I can actually access me.com (web version of mail, calendar, ...). This is the first tablet I came across that can do that.
- Wide screen format. I use the tablet 90+ % in the landscape mode, and wide screen is really great. (I now feel a bit crowded when going back to my iPad).
- Flash. I get to catch up with missed TV episodes on the Tf. Dolphin browser let to turn on flash 'on-demand'. So battery life don't suffer as much.
- Great Price. 16GB tablet & dock combo is running at $500. There are $100 off coupon in the Staples US. In Canada, you can stack Staples coupons ($30+20+15 off).
What's better for the iPad:
- Apps. So many more apps for iOS, although I am able to find most (not all) of the ones I need in Android market.
- Integration with Macs. Syncing (bookmarks, calendar, notes, iTunes music) is much better. However, if you are a Windows user, syncing via Google would work just as well.
- No real threat of malware and security issues, even when jailbroken. Jailbreak is relatively straight forward of iOS (when available). Rooting is much more messier.
- Accessories. Lots of accessories for iPads. I can't even buy a second AC charger for the Transformer, let alone VGA adapter for presentations.
- Future support from Apple. You can count on iOS upgrades in the future for at least 2-3 years. For Android, you rely on the manufacturer, not Google, and sometimes they are really taking their time. For companies like Asus and Acer, they introduce and discontinue models ALL THE TIME. You just don't know how long they'll support their products.
- Resell values. Used iPads hold values much better than other tablets.
Finally, a couple things I really hate, on the Android tablet:
- You don't need to re-enter your password when you purchase apps. After entering it the first time, anyone can pick up your tablet any time and buy apps.
- You cannot fully back up your tablet. There is no way to save your app (game) data without rooting.
The Transformer (Tf) and Android honeycomb is generally a good product. What I like most are:
- Widgets. They give you an 'overview' of important information.
- Screen layout. You can place icons where ever you want, like on a computer's desktop. This may not seem like a big deal, but after looking at iOS for a long time, you can't help wanting for something less boring.
- Keyboard dock. You get super long battery life. The dock battery actually charges up the tablet. Unlike those Bluetooth keyboards for ipads, where you have to charge them separately.
- Keyboard, with arrow keys and many useful short cuts. Great with typing long emails.
- MicroSD on the tablet, and than another SD on the dock. It's so easy to transfer files (like movies, photos) in and out.
- USB ports. You get two USB ports on the dock, which you can connect flash USB drives, hard drives, external USB mouse.
- With a cursor and (mouse) touchpad on the dock, it works like a netbook/laptop. I can actually access me.com (web version of mail, calendar, ...). This is the first tablet I came across that can do that.
- Wide screen format. I use the tablet 90+ % in the landscape mode, and wide screen is really great. (I now feel a bit crowded when going back to my iPad).
- Flash. I get to catch up with missed TV episodes on the Tf. Dolphin browser let to turn on flash 'on-demand'. So battery life don't suffer as much.
- Great Price. 16GB tablet & dock combo is running at $500. There are $100 off coupon in the Staples US. In Canada, you can stack Staples coupons ($30+20+15 off).
What's better for the iPad:
- Apps. So many more apps for iOS, although I am able to find most (not all) of the ones I need in Android market.
- Integration with Macs. Syncing (bookmarks, calendar, notes, iTunes music) is much better. However, if you are a Windows user, syncing via Google would work just as well.
- No real threat of malware and security issues, even when jailbroken. Jailbreak is relatively straight forward of iOS (when available). Rooting is much more messier.
- Accessories. Lots of accessories for iPads. I can't even buy a second AC charger for the Transformer, let alone VGA adapter for presentations.
- Future support from Apple. You can count on iOS upgrades in the future for at least 2-3 years. For Android, you rely on the manufacturer, not Google, and sometimes they are really taking their time. For companies like Asus and Acer, they introduce and discontinue models ALL THE TIME. You just don't know how long they'll support their products.
- Resell values. Used iPads hold values much better than other tablets.
Finally, a couple things I really hate, on the Android tablet:
- You don't need to re-enter your password when you purchase apps. After entering it the first time, anyone can pick up your tablet any time and buy apps.
- You cannot fully back up your tablet. There is no way to save your app (game) data without rooting.
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bufffilm
Suspended
an excellent post with good information...thanks.
we should have more of these rather than having the same posters from both camps trying to 'one-up' each other to argue their POV.
to me, a tablet is merely a tool...it's not a religion, folks. i'm happy using an ipad but always like to know that the competition is doing. when i'm ready to buy my next tablet, i'll pick the one out there that best does what i need it to do.
we should have more of these rather than having the same posters from both camps trying to 'one-up' each other to argue their POV.
to me, a tablet is merely a tool...it's not a religion, folks. i'm happy using an ipad but always like to know that the competition is doing. when i'm ready to buy my next tablet, i'll pick the one out there that best does what i need it to do.
+1. I'd only add that understanding the iPad's functionality, strengths, and weaknesses is aided significantly by comparisons with alternatives.
Great post Silverblack. Agree with bufffilm that we need more of these constructive posts here and less of the fanboy stuff.
+1
+1
Hope your experience is better than mine was. Maybe 3.2 will smooth things out.. I should go read about experiences with that.. because the TF was, quite frankly, a pile of **** when I had it.
Oh and before we get going again, I'll use any os and buy hardware form anyone, if it works. I'm actually thinking about going android for my next handset, but the sgs2 isn't out here yet.
There are a ton of ftp clients for iPad.
True multi-tasking would involve running 2 or more apps on the SAME screen. Something like watching a video/youtube on 80% of the screen and have a twitter/news feed/weather update on the other 20% of the space.
Lets face it, not EVERY SINGLE app needs to be run on fullscreen.
Luckily this is a feature Windows 8 will bring to the tablet world next year.
So a MacBook air with safari and mail both full screened is not multitasking by your definition, got it.
Macman45
macrumors G5
Ipad Everytime
And I'm not just saying this because I have one. Android is at least two years behind IOS,and whilst the Asus is okay, it's no iPad.
As has been mentioned here, consider the variety and choice of apps....You name it, and there is an app for it.
If you are into the "Bling" factor, people will look at the Asus and say "...Oh, it's not an iPad" 🙂
And I'm not just saying this because I have one. Android is at least two years behind IOS,and whilst the Asus is okay, it's no iPad.
As has been mentioned here, consider the variety and choice of apps....You name it, and there is an app for it.
If you are into the "Bling" factor, people will look at the Asus and say "...Oh, it's not an iPad" 🙂
Every app for iPad and iPhone is designed to run full screen. So, there's no logical way to implement what youre describing. Besides that, it's just a bad idea. Do you live on Jupiter or something where you think you need constant weather updates occupying 20% of your screen?
Everytime I read these justifications for "real multitasking" (LOL), they always want to usenthe device in some really weird, extremely unfunctional way.
"Yes, I want to lose 20% of my 9" screen so that I can always know what temperature it will be next Friday (gotta get down on Friday! Everybodys looking forward to the weekend, weekend!). No I don't care that 1/5 of my current app is hidden by that! This is way more useful!"
No. Just no.
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If I were still using my 10" ASUS netbook and it guarantees better performance and developers optimize their apps for it I'd gladly give it up in a heartbeat. I'm not an Air user but I suspect there'll be a lot of 11.6" Air users who won't mind it either.