Apple now accepting iOS 4 apps, multitasking ahoy
By Nilay Patel 
posted June 11th 2010 3:11PM
posted June 11th 2010 3:11PM
That's definitely good news, but we've got a feeling Apple's unique take on iPhone multitasking will take a few people by surprise, as only certain tasks are allowed in the background -- and apps that need to run persistently, like IRC and IM clients, still won't really work at all. In fact, there's already some rumblings by devs that they need additional backgrounding tools in order to provide features that users are asking for; Instapaper's Marco Ament has proposed a network polling API that would allow his app to update content in the background, for example. We'll see how quickly Apple responds to these requests, but for right now we're just happy we'll finally be able to switch away from a Skype call or GPS app while using our iPhones.
[Thanks, Oliver]
so, Is it true that all 3rd party applications needs to be updated to make it run with multitask? that's wasting devs time.
@varchar32 Yes, if they actually want a background process to run, and it's one of the processes Apple "supports" (like streaming audio, Pandora, etc), they have to write support for it in their application.
If it's just so the application "pauses" and retains its state until it's returned to, then no.
I just want to be able to open two browser tabs with heavy content web pages and switch to email app until they get loaded at the background when I am listening my online radio. If it can't be done Apple, multitasking nothing but an ads gimmick...
@varchar32 What you're asking for sounds bandwidth-limited more than it would be "task" limited... Unless you're on WIFI, in which it would take more time to switch apps and back and all that than to just wait a couple of seconds for the page to load :) But Mail and Pandora would be able to run in the background (Mail already does). So it doesn't seem like you would really be far from your use case with iOS4.
@darksharpie
There have been the tests on how long ipad took to render a web page, and many took 14 secs, and it wasn't network lag. Even on 3G the limiting factor is the processor, not the network. The ability to switch to some other app while waiting sound like a good idea.
@newone It probably depends on the page. I can definitely tell you that browsing on WIFI is consistently faster than it is on 3G (though of course not every time for every page). But anyway, Safari will already finish the page rendering if you switch away from it.
So i guess varcharge's scenario should work fine in iOS4, since all of the applications he mentioned will run in the background.
I hope most of you still know that the iPhone's spec sheet and software/battery praise does not hold up true yet. The real test will be when you actually use the device. I never trust Apple when they disclose their battery life capabilities until I actually use it. 7 hours of 3g talk time, 300 hours of stand by time? Sounds awesome but we will all find out if that's true when we use the phone. iPhone users use a crap load of data on their beloved device. After using me Evo however, I just can't wait to buy another battery pack cause the Evo's battery sucks, even when 4G is not on. Never trust what the company claims what their device can do. You have to test it yourself. Granted, I use my Evo like I used my last iPhone 3GS, which was A LOT. Good to know that I can change my battery on the fly. I like that.
Like all launches on every phone (look at Evo's 30 FPS gabble for example. Will be patched however), their will be some problems some/a lot users will have.
iPhone multitasking: Use your ear to hear the speaker, and your hand to hold the phone while you talk.
Apple is the first ever to do this. This has never been done.
@quade Where did Apple say they were the first to do multitasking? They specifically said they were later than others in adding it. They just think their implementation is better.
apps that need to run persistently, like IRC and IM clients, still won't really work at all.
Why do IRC and IM clients need to run persistently? There are other ways you know.
Beejive IM works quite well for me with notifications. I'm not actually sure why I'd want it running all the time when it seems to to offer anything in return.
I'm going to wait until the IOS jailbreak is confirmed.
I NEED lockifno and status notifcations. The two main features that will be needed before I'll stop jailbreaking.
Also being able to send/reply to texts/IMS anywhere would be a nice option also.
Besides a front facing camera my 3GS can wait to upgrade to the new IPhone 4. My GF with a 3G will probably have a different opinion which will also mean I'd have to get one so we can you know...have some "facetime".
@SleptOn Teenagers will immediately rebrand FaceTime as CrotchTime.
FBI can call for a closure of iPad production until security breach issue is resolved, also FBI can ask AT & T to stop their service on iPad until security protocol issue is resolved, seize Apple’s records, everything, read about all this on my post :
http://www.worldshotcake.com/apple/fbi-can-blame-and-claim-apple-inc/
Take Care ! Moiz Saleem Varind
@moizsaleemvarind Whew, I was getting worried when no one had written a tangentially related article and tried to link whore in comments. Glad that's resolved!
i'm not sure why people don't see the limitations of iphone's multitasking solution. First of all, users will have to hope that developers update their apps for use with multitasking. It won't be a great user experience when some of your apps can be switched and others cannot.
Secondly, the current solution will not cover the situations people desire multitasking in. You can't run more than one persistent app at once! That's what multitasking is! Couple that with the still horrible notification system and you have a disappointing product. And it's sad because the hardware is impressive.
@mhunterjr Notifications are in fact sad, but the existing backgrounding APIs do cover MOST of peoples wants and app devs who want to stay relevant and retain their mindshare are already submitting update backgroundable versions of their apps. There will almost certainly be additional backgrounding APIs like network polling added as Marco Arment is requesting. Apple is the tortoise, not the hare.
@zeitgeist perhaps they are the hare. But to they suggest that there implementation of multitasking is the "best" is jumping the gun if it 1) it can't work under all situations, and 2) you have to rely on updates from the developer. This situation almost flies opposite there logic having such control over their app store. On one hand they say they take such control because they want to be able to guarantee the best user experience. Now their user experience will vary dramatically across the board depending on the services people use on their phone.
Will we finally get proper Google Latitude on iPhone now ? Wait . . . we have foursquare :P
You know...I'm glad Apple waits to release features for the iPhone...like Multitasking. Cause I've jailbroken my phone and things like folders, multitasking & so forth aren't all that great...but you know Apple has JB iPhones in house so they can perfect them and make em more user-friendly! Everything I've wanted n needed is on iOS 4...so bye bye JB:)
Will this mean that there will be apps for iPhones pre-4 and then apps made for iPhone 4? Example:
The game Monkey Island for iPhone. If it were released to the app store again, would there be 2 versions, as in one for 3GS down and one for i4?
For mulittasking, from my point of view, I don't really care as long as I can IM my friends and quick switch back and forth between that and engadget or other apps. The ability to do that instead of having to exit what I'm doing, go to the home screen, click on IM, click on their name etc. I just wish I could just pause each application and then come back to it later.
Via NewsGallery: THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE iOS4 TUNNEL FOR iPhone 3: http://bit.ly/iOAS43G
People are going on about "true" multi tasking. What these people are forgetting is that, no, this is not your personal computer processing SQL tables in one application and rendering a Photoshop document in the other whilst the front most application is youtube watching a video of someone getting bit on the balls by a yorkshire terrier, this is a MOBILE TELEPHONE.
What do you want your smart phone to do? I want to browse the internet, listen to WunderRadio and hear a little "ping" in the background when I get an email. Does iOS4 do that? Yes.
Yes developers have to update their applications to run processes in the background, if they don't then the app will just be paused until its brought back into focus, thats fine for a phone, at least you wont have to open it up again and start from square one. Besides, the thing is going to be in your pocket and enjoy maybe 15mins of daylight when you want to quickly google something or send a text anyway. If you are really that hell-bent on having full multi-tasking and staring at a tiny 3.5" screen for 5 hours a day then I've got a fantastic, Radical and Unheard of idea for you all!
Buy a Netbook.
WP7 is doing pretty much exactly the same thing, yet that will get praised for being such a wonderful form of multi-tasking purely because its not an Apple product.