Pro multitasking improvements needed in next iOS

[iphnhelp]

I would hope with this emphasis on Pro and these new iPads, that big multitasking enhancements are on the horizon for WWDC.

Multitasking seems grafted on in its current incarnation. I hope they are taking the time to rebuild core parts of the OS. I don't think we need movable windows, but if they are positioning this as a laptop replacement it seems changes are needed.

 

[dejo]

Care to elaborate? I would like to hear your thoughts on specific things they can do to improve the multitasking.

 

[throAU]

Agreed, what changes do you propose?

Even of my Macbook, i multitask a lot and generally run full screen apps rather than Windows simply because on a screen this size (13") combined with an easy swipe left/right it just tends to make more sense.

I.e., i am a power user, employed as an IT professional and so long as background apps keep running if required (e.g., terminal windows, remote sessions, background jobs) that's all i really care about. I don't need multiple windows, swipe left/right is plenty...

 

[Cascades42]

Care to elaborate? I would like to hear your thoughts on specific things they can do to improve the multitasking.

I'm not the original poster but personally I would prefer to have a list of apps to choose from in slide over (kind of like the edit view in Notification Center, just larger) - and the ability to add some favourites that would be pinned to the top. That's achievable and would make my life rather easier

 

[throAU]

I'm not the original poster but personally I would prefer to have a list of apps to choose from in slide over (kind of like the edit view in Notification Center, just larger) - and the ability to add some favourites that would be pinned to the top. That's achievable and would make my life rather easier

So that's basically the double-tap home view just with a different layout?

 

[SuperKerem]

Care to elaborate? I would like to hear your thoughts on specific things they can do to improve the multitasking.

For example, tapping on an incoming notification opens up the app in full-screen. When you are linked from one app to another app (e.g. open in safari) it opens it in full screen. As if the multitasking doesn't even exist.

Also, opening up the app switcher provides a semi-glitchy view of the split screen apps, with no way to close one specific app out of the two split screen apps or to, for example, rearrange the split screen apps from left to right.

Things like this really give the sense that multitasking was an afterthought rather than being built into the core OS.

 

[Cascades42]

So that's basically the double-tap home view just with a different layout?

I mean for when selecting apps to use in split screen or slide over. Every time I see those big tiles I feel that they're inefficient and awkward.

 

[SuperKerem]

I mean for when selecting apps to use in split screen or slide over. Every time I see those big tiles I feel that they're inefficient and awkward.

Yeah, there really needs to be a search function.

Talking about search functions...
What if they incorporated spotlight search into the split screen app selection view? It would save so much time!

 

[Ludatyk]

if they are positioning this as a laptop replacement it seems changes are needed.

My main gripe is using it portrait... I know it's intended for landscape viewing.

When using it portrait.. Multitasking should turn to top/bottom instead of left/right. I think it would be better if at least give us the option for preferences.

Then there is the SlideOver view that needs some refinement. I have tons of apps that have the ability to use SplitView and I like the fact they keep the recent ones near the bottom. But I would prefer an option to use certain apps at a given point.

 

[throAU]

Yeah, there really needs to be a search function.

Talking about search functions...
What if they incorporated spotlight search into the split screen app selection view? It would save so much time!

You know if you hit home, drag down and search for the app, it will switch to it if its running, right?

That functionality is already there... the whole running vs. non-running thing is something iOS strives to make irrelevant.

 

[Ludatyk]

Yeah, there really needs to be a search function

I think having a search function built inside the SlideOver view would make it clunky. Not sure how nice would that be.

 

[SuperKerem]

You know if you hit home, drag down and search for the app, it will switch to it if its running, right?

That functionality is already there...

You realise we are talking about split screen apps, right?

Opening an app from spotlight search opens it in full screen!

Let's say I have an app open and want to split-view another app. My only option is to scroll endlessly in the split view app selection thing! There is no search functionality for selecting a secondary split-screen app.

 

[throAU]

You realise we are talking about split screen apps, right?

Opening an app from spotlight search opens it in full screen!

Let's say I have an app open and want to split-view another app. My only option is to scroll endlessly in the split view app selection thing! There is no search functionality for selecting a secondary split-screen app.

Ahh, i see. You want to open in a particular half of the screen.

Maybe they just need to tweak home so that a single press goes to home on the side of the screen you last used or something.

Or the 4 finger pinch in half a screen does it...

 

[SuperKerem]

I think having a search function built inside the SlideOver view would make it clunky. Not sure how nice would that be.

Are you taking about the double home button click app switcher or split screen app selector?

I think Apple should just replace the scrolling split-screen app selection screen with spotlight search.
[doublepost=1459350585][/doublepost]

Ahh, i see. You want to open in a particular half of the screen.

Maybe they just need to tweak home so that a single press goes to home on the side of the screen you last used or something.

Or the 4 finger pinch in half a screen does it...

Yeah, there are many solutions to this problem. But it's up to Apple to implement the best one

However you look at it, work needs to be done!

 

[Ludatyk]

Are you taking about the double home button click app switcher or split screen app selector?

I think Apple should just replace the scrolling split-screen app selection screen with spotlight search.

Well, I assumed you were referring to having a search function in the SlideOver/SplitView...

But it's already good idea that the most recent apps are below... I just think they should give the ability to select which apps to choose from.

I have tons of apps... And perhaps at a particular time I want a certain apps to select from. I just think Apple needs to allow setting preferences toward SplitView... Perhaps give us the ability to choose replacing the scrolling app selection for Spotlight Search.

Or maybe give us the ability to choose which apps are visible... Maybe give us the ability to choose between left/right or up/down. I just know for me.. I sometimes like using my iPP in portrait view.

 

[iphnhelp]

A very basic set of improvements could include:
Ability to swap app positions
Ability to open a different app in either side
Ability to drag and drop between
Open tabs or other instances of an app in each
Incorporate the app switcher- right now it's very separate and I think the app switcher should be the main way in to setting up split view. The current implementation of a side bar with vertical scrolling list of apps just isn't very convenient.

 

[Cascades42]

I think Apple should just replace the scrolling split-screen app selection screen with spotlight search.

What I appreciate about that view is the ability to look inside an app and see what I was doing there. I frequently end up going down rabbit trails and this feature allows me to go "oh, I was writing an email", or just see exactly what site I was on in Safari - if I want a list of apps I use CMD+tab.

 

[SuperKerem]

What I appreciate about that view is the ability to look inside an app and see what I was doing there. I frequently end up going down rabbit trails and this feature allows me to go "oh, I was writing an email", or just see exactly what site I was on in Safari - if I want a list of apps I use CMD+tab.

Maybe Apple could maintain the current view while incorporating a search bar at the top, and when you type in the search bar, it filters down the app list according to what you type (e.g. typing S shows only apps starting with the letter S etc)

 

[Ludatyk]

Ability to drag and drop between

I think they may be ways off before that happen.

It will be a game changer when it gets implemented. It took Apple awhile to implement Side by side apps... No telling how long Apple would take to create a method to drag an item from one app to another.

At that point they will need a file manager in place to move files from one app to another. Maybe they create one app that gives the ability to drag and slowly transition 3rd party apps.

 

[SuperKerem]

I think they may be ways off before that happen.

It will be a game changer when it gets implemented. It took Apple awhile to implement Side by side apps... No telling how long Apple would take to create a method to drag an item from one app to another.

At that point they will need a file manager in place to move files from one app to another. Maybe they create one app that gives the ability to drag and slowly transition 3rd party apps.

Surely it wouldn't be too hard to implement it in first party apps?
With the new Pro iPads, hopefully this can be done.

 

[macduke]

To echo and build upon what others have said:

• A "pinable" tasks area where people can have their most used apps, kinda like the dock
• When a notification is clicked, it would be nice if it popped open in a modal over the other tasks in the background. Tap anywhere outside of it and you'll go back to your split-screen view underneath
• Ability to easily drag or otherwise move files (or images and text) between multitasking apps

I also think they need some kind of project-focused file organization system where more complex works can be organized in one place with all the different component files. IDK if they need to go full filesystem but we need something more advanced than what we have now.

 

[Ludatyk]

Surely it wouldn't be too hard to implement it in first party apps?
With the new Pro iPads, hopefully this can be done.

Apple would want a great experience... Fluid with no issues. I think it would be a huge milestone... And 3D Touch seem pretty straight forward with peek/pop.

But I think moving items to various apps... Will be a difficult challenge IMO. They already created a layer for Pencil input, so they will have to create another layer for moving items. I mean, just the idea behind it seem far fetched.

 

[SuperKerem]

To echo and build upon what others have said:

• A "pinable" tasks area where people can have their most used apps, kinda like the dock
• When a notification is clicked, it would be nice if it popped open in a modal over the other tasks in the background. Tap anywhere outside of it and you'll go back to your split-screen view underneath
• Ability to easily drag or otherwise move files (or images and text) between multitasking apps

I also think they need some kind of project-focused file organization system where more complex works can be organized in one place with all the different component files. IDK if they need to go full filesystem but we need something more advanced than what we have now.

That's what we've got so far, sounds good to me!

 

[lewisd25]

Improvements to PIP....I want to watch two video sources at once.

3-4 app split screen capability....

 

[SuperKerem]

Improvements to PIP....I want to watch two video sources at once.

3-4 app split screen capability....

Honestly, I wouldn't count on that ever happening.

Especially with the 9.7' Pro, two app split screen is ALREADY a little cramped.

And having two video sources would mean a redesign of how picture in picture currently works.