Inside Apple's iPad: Multitasking

[dave1812dave]

Not really a flop I suppose but it never really achieved the success that their other devices attained. Rumors of its demise continue to circulate since its tepid release. Like the tablet computer, apple tv is a solution in search of a problem.

isn't the ipad a sort of tablet? are you acknowledging that the iPad is a solution in search of a problem? If so, I'm on board with your sentiment. That's been my feeling about this device since it was announced. I was hoping for MUCH, MUCH more from Apple. All these years, and this is all they could come up with??

 

[Carouser]

I would be ok with widgets and not even "true" multitasking

But it would be nice - if I were to ever buy an iPad - that I could work on a document at the same time as having a twitter feed going and an IM window open.

Or that I could have email open and a document open to cut/paste across the two without close/open copy/close open/paste. Much easier to have them side by side open at the same time. No?

Fair enough. I imagine though, that the options would be as follows;

(1) permit multitasking apps across the board. This might mean a reduction in performance and not-so-nice interfaces. You and I might not care, but Apple probably does, and think it would harm the reception of the device.
(2) allow some apps to multitask (Twitter feeds, IM stuff). This is a whole can of worms - deciding which apps get allowance, how many at once, etc. Again, probably something Apple think would hurt more than it helps.
(3) side-by-side apps. People will ask, Why only two? Or will there be a desktop with windows? Or side-by-side with IM in the background or without? How to handle resizing? All these issues complicate things and are easy to suggest but aren't easy to resolve.

Finally, if someone thinks they are going to do enough copy/paste stuff, working across programs, etc. then they are probably better off getting a notebook, laptop, desktop. Yeah, the iPad isn't perfect for everything, but that's trivially true. In the future, it might be able to handle multitasking, but I think Apple made a reasoned decision (even if we disagree with those reasons) rather than just being obstinate or ignorant.

 

[dave1812dave]

Fair enough. I imagine though, that the options would be as follows;

(1) permit multitasking apps across the board. This might mean a reduction in performance and not-so-nice interfaces. You and I might not care, but Apple probably does, and think it would harm the reception of the device.
(2) allow some apps to multitask (Twitter feeds, IM stuff). This is a whole can of worms - deciding which apps get allowance, how many at once, etc. Again, probably something Apple think would hurt more than it helps.
(3) side-by-side apps. People will ask, Why only two? Or will there be a desktop with windows? Or side-by-side with IM in the background or without? How to handle resizing? All these issues complicate things and are easy to suggest but aren't easy to resolve.

Finally, if someone thinks they are going to do enough copy/paste stuff, working across programs, etc. then they are probably better off getting a notebook, laptop, desktop. Yeah, the iPad isn't perfect for everything, but that's trivially true. In the future, it might be able to handle multitasking, but I think Apple made a reasoned decision (even if we disagree with those reasons) rather than just being obstinate or ignorant.

You apparently don't own a BB phone. We multitask on BB's but that doesn't mean the apps shrink down to make way for other running apps. THINK outside the walls of Cupertino-think!! each app is full screen.

 

[Carouser]

We multitask on BB's but that doesn't mean the apps shrink down to make way for other running apps....each app is full screen.

You can't display more than one full-screen app at once by definition. Tell me how the BB interface is functionally different than 'shrinking down'.

EDIT: I just looked it up on YouTube. It's not functionally different. It looks different in appearance, that's it. Why am I not surprised

 

[samcraig]

Fair enough. I imagine though, that the options would be as follows;

(1) permit multitasking apps across the board. This might mean a reduction in performance and not-so-nice interfaces. You and I might not care, but Apple probably does, and think it would harm the reception of the device.
(2) allow some apps to multitask (Twitter feeds, IM stuff). This is a whole can of worms - deciding which apps get allowance, how many at once, etc. Again, probably something Apple think would hurt more than it helps.
(3) side-by-side apps. People will ask, Why only two? Or will there be a desktop with windows? Or side-by-side with IM in the background or without? How to handle resizing? All these issues complicate things and are easy to suggest but aren't easy to resolve.

Finally, if someone thinks they are going to do enough copy/paste stuff, working across programs, etc. then they are probably better off getting a notebook, laptop, desktop. Yeah, the iPad isn't perfect for everything, but that's trivially true. In the future, it might be able to handle multitasking, but I think Apple made a reasoned decision (even if we disagree with those reasons) rather than just being obstinate or ignorant.

Some comments

resizing could be cool and fun with the same pinch gesture as zooming in and out of photos and web pages

I think a lot of consumers would understand more having only 1-3 widgets allowed vs none at all

I guess UI wise - apps take greater use of the UI than the actual OS. I know a generalization - but consider this. The UI is very "square". Hard to describe what I'm talking about - but it's very linear - you swipe side to side; press, etc. Visually there is fluidity - but the actual screens are "not".

I'm not explaining it well I am sure. But imagine instead of a neatly organized desk where everything is in it's place (which I consider the iPhone OS as its presented on the iPhone) it was more "fluid" like messy papers on a desk. Instead of worrying about resizing or how much each program can take real estate wise - why not have it where things are layers on top and can be pushed to the side or swiped back on/grabbed with the finger pull.

Further - with the added real estate - because the above would never work on a small screen - you have room to play with. Yet - as presented, the OS still not only doesn't multitask - but it doesn't even look like it is.

Yes - there are issues I can already think of with my scenario (explained poorly) above - but at least it's "something" that works towards a solution.

Another thing people might want to do - watch a video and take notes.
Or have a webpage up at the same time they're writing. Or read a book while having the IM client visible too.

But I digress

 

[maflynn]

isn't the ipad a sort of tablet? are you acknowledging that the iPad is a solution in search of a problem? If so, I'm on board with your sentiment.

Yes, like every other tablet, the iPad is a solution in search of a problem. The difference is that apple may have struck about that "problem" by producing a device that sits between the iPhone and laptop. I am getting one, but I'm not so sure it will be a legitimate success. The G4 Cube was lauded for a number of reasons by the pundits and so called experts. The people who are most important in determining the success (the customer) did not. So while I may find a use for it, I'm not so sure it will be a success.

 

[dave1812dave]

Yes, like every other tablet, the iPad is a solution in search of a problem. The difference is that apple may have struck about that "problem" by producing a device that sits between the iPhone and laptop. I am getting one, but I'm not so sure it will be a legitimate success. The G4 Cube was lauded for a number of reasons by the pundits and so called experts. The people who are most important in determining the success (the customer) did not. So while I may find a use for it, I'm not so sure it will be a success.

time will tell how people like the iPad, despite it's obvious limitations. You might love it. Heck, if they add a few more features that I WANT, then I might get one too. Just as I skipped gen one of the Touch, I'm definitely skipping gen one of the iPad.