iPad This is the reason why iPad doesn't have split screen multitasking

[rowspaxe]

People would never put 3 apps on their screen. Here's a better example.

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strawman dispatched. thank you. surface has been doing this since 2012. c'mon apple--time to copy--errr--innovate

 

[mrex]

been using multiwindow in my Note 10.1 and doesnt look like that at all... how about putting 4 or 5 windows and try to defend a lack of this feature.. im using 2 or 3 windows succesfully, e.g.:
- on the top left: browser for searching
- on the bottom left: droidedit for writing code
- on the right: test window to test the code

 

[MarkCollette]

Since Android tablet apps are mostly stretched phone apps, I expect them to more readily support multi-tasking, where each app is now back into approximately phone resolution.

iPad apps, on the other hand, can have completely different functionality than the phone variants, leaving developers to need to handle the greater complexity of shoe-horning the tablet features into the phone real estate, or degrade features on resize.

So I'd say that app multi-tasking is a very smart feature for Android, as it turns a weakness into a strength for them, and vice versa for Apple.

 

[Freyqq]

Since Android tablet apps are mostly stretched phone apps, I expect them to more readily support multi-tasking, where each app is now back into approximately phone resolution.

iPad apps, on the other hand, can have completely different functionality than the phone variants, leaving developers to need to handle the greater complexity of shoe-horning the tablet features into the phone real estate, or degrade features on resize.

So I'd say that app multi-tasking is a very smart feature for Android, as it turns a weakness into a strength for them, and vice versa for Apple.

No reason why the developer can't alter the UI based on the screen area given to the app.

 

[Night Spring]

No reason why the developer can't alter the UI based on the screen area given to the app.

Sure they could, but that would require developers to update their apps. In the meanwhile, older, un-updated apps would look terrible when squeezed into a split window. I suppose Apple could enable split-screen only for those apps that's been updated to split-screen UIs, and older un-updated apps would run full screen only.

It's not an insurmountable problem, but it does add complexity. And how often do people actually use multiple apps on one screen on a 10 inch tablet? I mean, even on my 13 inch laptop, I have most programs running with windows maximized. To me, it seems like a lot of work for Apple and the developers for a feature I wouldn't use that often.

Of course, if they do come out with a 12 inch "iPad pro'" that might be a different story.

 

[Freyqq]

Sure they could, but that would require developers to update their apps. In the meanwhile, older, un-updated apps would look terrible when squeezed into a split window. I suppose Apple could enable split-screen only for those apps that's been updated to split-screen UIs, and older un-updated apps would run full screen only.

It's not an insurmountable problem, but it does add complexity. And how often do people actually use multiple apps on one screen on a 10 inch tablet? I mean, even on my 13 inch laptop, I have most programs running with windows maximized. To me, it seems like a lot of work for Apple and the developers for a feature I wouldn't use that often.

Of course, if they do come out with a 12 inch "iPad pro'" that might be a different story.

Most apps are universal and have an iphone version and an ipad version of the UI. It wouldn't even be much work, as they could draw from their iphone UI design.

 

[s2mikey]

Since Android tablet apps are mostly stretched phone apps, I expect them to more readily support multi-tasking, where each app is now back into approximately phone resolution.

iPad apps, on the other hand, can have completely different functionality than the phone variants, leaving developers to need to handle the greater complexity of shoe-horning the tablet features into the phone real estate, or degrade features on resize.

So I'd say that app multi-tasking is a very smart feature for Android, as it turns a weakness into a strength for them, and vice versa for Apple.

Well thought out post. I personally love that the iPad gets its own apps and they aren't just stretched phone apps. That's what makes the iPad a better tablet than the others. I get that people want certain features and I will admit that two or three apps on screen at once might have some use.

For me, I have no problem simply using the swipe left or right to bounce between apps. It works fine and has never given me trouble. Maybe I'm too old but this idea of having to have ten apps opened at once or ten safari tabs all active at once seems absurd to me. Just do one or two things at a time, complete them , and then move onto the next thing. I know that the phrase multi tasking is the in thing these days but usually that means you end up having a bunch of things not really done, only started. I dunno.

 

[wesk702]

They will have to. I haven't seen anyone do it right on a tablet.

Surface again doesn't count. That's windows, and nobody wants a Surface, that's a fact. If that's what people wanted, a Laplet, they would be flocking to get the Surface, instead they're stacked all the way to the ceiling at a warehouse collecting dust.

Lol

 

[cababah]

I think it is just taking Apple a long time to implement it in an intuitive and user-friendly way that will have minimal effect on battery life. Main reason is battery life though.

See Android for more evidence of the negative impact on battery life that multi-tasking has.

 

[MarkCollette]

Most apps are universal and have an iphone version and an ipad version of the UI. It wouldn't even be much work, as they could draw from their iphone UI design.

I agree, I've posted before that I think they'll need to add some support for seguing between iPhone and iPad states for dynamic resizing to work easily. But, now it seems that they're suggesting that iPad apps support fractional displaying, and keep that separate from the iPhone code.

Well thought out post. I personally love that the iPad gets its own apps and they aren't just stretched phone apps. That's what makes the iPad a better tablet than the others. I get that people want certain features and I will admit that two or three apps on screen at once might have some use.

Thanks. For me, I have no problem simply using the swipe left or right to bounce between apps. It works fine and has never given me trouble. Maybe I'm too old but this idea of having to have ten apps opened at once or ten safari tabs all active at once seems absurd to me. Just do one or two things at a time, complete them , and then move onto the next thing. I know that the phrase multi tasking is the in thing these days but usually that means you end up having a bunch of things not really done, only started. I dunno.

Thanks. I like the idea of having up to 4 apps running on screen at once. Anything more is too computer-ish and missing the point of tablets as simple appliance.

 

[Billy95Tech]

Samsung has perfected multi window on their cell phones and tablets. The Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) and new have the best multi window dual screen. The Note 12.2 allows 4 apps simultaneously and it's perfect.

I like using the multi window(split sceen) on my Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 when you want to listen to music and surf the web at the same time things like that.

Anyway i only use the multi window(split sceen) sometimes on my Galaxy Tab Po 8.4 but it is very useful even on a small 8 inch tablet!