One of the most persistent complaints levied against the iPhone and iPad were/are the lack of multitasking. This, of course, has always been silly. However, now that BlackBerry QNX PlayBook</a>, Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets like Xoom, and HP webOS 3.0's TouchPad are set to launch, "true multitasking" is again finding its way into the bullet points of competitively positioned slide decks and ad campaigns. It's still silly but it's also more complicated now.
Does iOS offer "true multitasking", does its competitors? Let's take a look, after the break.
Multifl0w was recently updated in Cydia and brings a WebOS-like "Cards" (or Mobile Safari "Pages" if you're Apple-centric) interface to iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad multitasking system.
Multifl0w has been available in Cydia for some time now, but previously only allowed for an exposé display of apps (up to 9 at a time) running in the background. The mod features smooth animations and is low on system resources, and also packs full Activator integration for gesture support. If you've ever used ProSwitcher in the past then you'll be familiar with the way Multifl0w handles app switching.
I prefer Multifl0w over the stock iOS app-switcher dock and have been using it on both my iPhone and iPad for the past day or so with no crashes or hiccups. Multifl0w is available in the Cydia Store now for $4.99. Check out the pics after the jump, and let us know if you've seen any bugs or issues with the update in the comments!
Your votes have been counted, your voices have been heard, and we're proud to announce the 2010 TiPb Readers Choice Award for Favorite New iPhone/iPad Feature of the Year goes to... Multitasking!
Complete feature guide to Apple's iOS 4.2 update for iPad
iOS 4.2 is the grand unification update, the software that brings iPhone, iPod touch, and for the first time, iPad all onto the same version number and at the same time. Yes, it's the one firmware to rule them all.
Announced during Apple's 2010 special music event, for iPad's that have been running iOS 3.2 since launch back in April, the change is nothing short of a revelation. Multitasking, folders, and unified inbox from iOS 4.0 join Game Center and TV show rentals from iOS 4.1, and add in AirPlay video sharing and AirPrint wireless printing fresh to iOS 4.2.
Huge.
And we're going to take you through it, after the break!
ToDo for iPhone by Appigo has long been one of my favorite productivity apps. I've been desperately waiting to see this app updated mainly with support for local notifications. The fact that you'd have to open the app in order to update the badge was somewhat irritating. It's part of the reason I switched back to Evernote.
Not only does ToDo now support local notifications, it's been updated with complete multitasking support as well as high resolution graphics for the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4th gen. It also supports password protection and adding multiple alerts for tasks. I've noticed the app overall is a lot more responsive as well.
Complete feature guide to Apple's iOS 4.2 beta for iPad
iOS 4.2 is the grand unification update, the software that brings iPhone, iPod touch, and for the first time, iPad all onto the same version number and at the same time. Yes, it's the one firmware to rule them all.
Announced during Apple's 2010 special music event, its in beta as of September 15, and will become available to the public sometime in November. For iPhone and iPod touch already running iOS 4.1, the feature list is short. For iPad's that have been running iOS 3.2 since launch back in April, the change is nothing short of a revelation. Multitasking, folders, and unified inbox from iOS 4.0 join Game Center and TV show rentals from iOS 4.1, and add in AirPlay video sharing and AirPrint wireless printing fresh to iOS 4.2.
Huge.
If you're interested in iOS 4.2 for iPhone and iPod
And we're going to take you through it, after the break!
We've had a few TiPb readers ping us to ask what's going on with timeline-based apps like Twitter, IM, RSS, etc under iOS 4 multitasking -- specifically why they aren't updated or updating any more when they open. The answer is the current timeline update conundrum.
First, it's important to remember that Apple didn't include background timeline updates in their multitasking API. Apps can stream music, they can wait for VoIP activity, and they can handle location for navigation or check-in, but they can't update your Twitter, IM, or RSS the way Apple's own Mail app can. Apple's SVP of iPhone Software, Scott Forstall said they prefer iOS handle that via push notification instead.
If you are a Pandora user and are currently running iOS 4 on your iPhone or iPod touch then head into the App Store to update the app to version 3.1 which contains the new multitasking feature. Today, at some point, Apple will be releasing iOS 4 to the masses so it is no surprise we will start to see many applications in the App Store updated to be compatible with iOS 4.
So waste no time and take advantage of the latest version of Pandora!
A double dose of NAVIGON today as they've put out a video showing off MobileNavigator on iOS 4 making use of background location. Fast app switching, saved state, and the Location API for taking a call while still receiving navigation directions are all on display.
We've got an exclusive video interview with MobileNavigator for iPhone product manager Bern Hahn taken during WWDC 2010 for your viewing pleasure. He tells TiPb what he thinks of Apple's iOS 4 multitasking, the iPad, and of course, iPhone 4.
