You heard that right, people --
iPhone OS 4 just brought multitasking to the platform! Apple says they've figured out how to implement third party multitasking without hurting performance or battery life, and they're demoing it now -- you just double click the home button and see a list of your apps, and you can just tap to switch between apps. The system actually runs the services apps need in the background -- the apps don't need to do them individually, so it's not a "true" multitasking system, but it seems plenty effective. There are seven services: background audio, which allows you to use the standard pop-over iPod controls, Voice over IP, which can receive calls in the background, location services for GPS and social networking (there's an indicator if any service is tracking you), updated push notifications with local notifications, task completion so you can finish things like uploads in the background, and fast app switching, which lets apps sleep and resume instantly. Notably missing? Anything for managing a conversation, like IM or Twitter, which is a big omission. Win some, lose some, we suppose.
Update: Here's a big "lose some" -- only the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation (late 2009) iPod touch will support multitasking. The iPhone 3G and below won't -- Steve says the hardware doesn't support it. Sad face.
Developing...
Make sure to check out the
ongoing iPhone OS 4.0 liveblog!
posted April 8th 2010 2:05PM
@Dusse yes people are complaining just bcuz. sudo-apple-multitasking is better than full on multitasking and crappy battery life.
Wow. Looks like iPhone wants to be more like WebOS than WebOS wants to be like iPhone. Too bad iPhone is still so terrible an experience on the whole...
@HighestRanked2 Not quite. We're used to Steve's BS and lies. 4.0 does NOT give multitasking, but only background services (7 types) and a faster switcher. App developers will have to rework their apps to make use of it, don't you get it?... More Apple specific BS for developers to waste their time on... :-( Don't compare that to webOS, cause it doesn't compare. Still don't know what I am talking about? Try writing two emails at the same time. You won't be able to.
But will backgrounding work with the iPod touch 8gig 3rd gen? Older hardware but is technically 3rd gen.
Looks like Apple aren't prepared to give true multitasking though. Only a select group of services are available to apps to run in the background.
It's multi-tasking but the implementation I was hoping for...
Wait, so the iphone has added multitasking, and windows mobile has eliminated it? What the fuck is going on?!
Way to go apple... from an easy iphone sale to a possible android sale in one faking morning. Great stuff.
Apple is perfect. That is the reason behind most of the time it takes for stuff to come out.
If you have ever used a slow computer, you'll know what I mean.
They limit the hell out of everything so it doesnt lag for the user. I would rather a responsive iPhone that can only run one app than one that can open multiple apps at the same time, but those apps are a bad experience.
That is the reason it took so long. They had to wait for the hardware to get cheap enough to provide a proccessor that was powerful enough to not lag while doing 2 things. But, again, that should be up to us to decide, but thats Apple :P.
This is also the reason a jailbroken iPhone lags , its doing stuff not meant to be done, regardless that it can do it, it isnt the best experience. SBSettings doesn't lag though ;)
Also this way, they make more money ;P.
It's not just multitasking... background wallpaper also not for iPhone 3G!!!! That sucks... I just installed 4.0 on my device and no way to change it, only lock screen (which is buggy, only accepting wallpapers from iPhone standard folder, not from my pictures...)
Sigh.
The iPhone OS 4.0 looks promising, but I fail to see what everyone means by "true multitasking"; the device allows you to run multiple apps but uses the localized push service to keep you updated with what is going on in an app that is not currently open. The app doesnt need to be running fully if you arent currently looking at it, just whatever services are needed for you to be productive. If you want to go back to the app you can switch back to it and your start where you left off. With all of the api's included in the new OS 4 I'm not really sure where the multitasking feature maybe lacking. (feel free to enlighten me on this issue)
As for fragmentation of the OS, I just believe that apple is phasing out support for older iPhone/iPod touch models; they may still have security updates for them, but they are probably looking for you to buy a new apple device.
I just see iAds as a way to push alot of people onto the iPad. The issue with not having flash on iphone/pad/touch was that people couldnt advertise or make money without flash. iAd gives them the avenue to do so.
@gebonline Who gives a shit? Only pre and android owners who are worried because the one possible feature that may have mattered to the average consumer is not longer exclusive to their phones. Suck it apple haters.
While I'm heavily upset about this I'm not surprised. I figured the 1st-2nd gen wouldn't be able to handle the software, but I didn't think they would be so quick to start phasing out the 3g. I had a 1st gen which saw it's final days and upgraded at the spur of the moment the February before anything hit about the 3gs release. Though hopefully waiting patiently on the edge of my seat to hear of a new iPhone this summer, so I can bypass the 3gs as I haven't been able to really justify the difference in the products in order to spend a considerable amount of money for just a few more features. I really hope they announce some new hardware in june. I'm an apple enthusiast, but Jesus with economic struggles it's just damn hard to keep up to date with all of the mouth watering technology that comes about these days. Then by the time it's cheap enough to buy it's outdated. Oh the world of tech.
That's just my spill.
Peas and apples
bucky
facebook.com/bucky5676
I am a bit confused by the controls. In the video, the person seems to tap once to open fast app switching. I thought you had to tap twice. Am I blind, mistaken, or both?
Second, if double tapping really is going to be used for multitasking/app switching, how do I control my beloved iPod? Double tapping pops up iPod controls on my iPhone right now, I don't want to miss this feature in the future.
Any thoughts?
The 3G can't handle much with Backgrounder, I had hoped they wouldn't put official multitasking on it. 3GS and up
This isn't multi-tasking, this is an app switcher.
Don't miss this http://www.iphone4g2010.com/
I wish some sort of upgrade-dispensation would be made for 3G owners, I JUST got mine a few months ago, I'm STUCK with it for TWO YEARS.
FRAGMENTATION! FRAGMENTATION!