How would it affect someone that is not using it?
How?
I thought I explained this earlier. Imagine this scenario. Hi, my name is Steve (not really). I have an iPhone 3GS. I don't really want to bother with the new multitasking feature. I'm listening to music on pandora, I quit, the music keeps playing.
I'm using TomTom, I quit, it keeps tracking my location and giving me directions.
But I thought BaldiMac told me that I wouldn't be affected by multitasking!! Gee, I wish I could disable it!!!
Now, i'm not saying I want to turn multitasking off, I'm not even arguing that there should be the option to turn it off. All I'm claiming is that there is a difference between having it "on" or "off" and that anyone (even unwillingly) will be affected and hypothetically a person might not want it.
There are three different multitasking cases that have a significant impact on resources. VOIP, Music, and GPS. VOIP is just like the Phone app. Music is just like the iPod app.
I admitted that GPS is a new use case. Music apps are controlled exactly the same as the iPod app. IM and video do not run in the background.
I was unaware that the music controls would work from a double home tap, just like the ipod. But if this is in fact true, that does make things simpler. I'm not trying to make multitasking sound like a bad thing. My only claim is that it will affect everyone and that it could prove to initially be confusing/difficult for some who don't desire this feature.
How it works is between you and the app developer. Isn't that how it should be?
not if you don't want it
I was just confused. I thought you were talking about a work-around to avoid multitasking.
negative
I'm sure the number will be limited. But having more apps listed won't decrease usability.
Let's say that you think 10 apps listed is the optimal number. How would you get to the 11th app if only 10 were listed? You would go to the home screen. If 20 are actually listed, you could do the exact same thing (go to the home screen) or have the option to scroll back a little farther in the list.
Other than OCD, I don't see the benefit. It's not going to affect whether or not I switch to an app.
The point would be that you can switch between recent apps faster without having to navigate various home screens and folders.
yes I understand this logic. And I think it mainly comes down to personal preference and simplicity. Also, in my eyes (and every casual user), the quick app switcher will be thought of as the "multitasking bar". Where you can switch quickly between all of your apps that are currently "running". When I haven't opened an app for so long that it loses its' last 'save state' and needs to completely be relaunched (with load time and all) I think it's time that it can be removed from the "multitasking bar". when I look at the multitasking bar I want to be able to view all of my apps that are still currently "open". If you disagree, that's fine. After I use the thing for a while I might find myself wanting the same thing as you, but now it just seems more logical and more "apple-like"