iPad iPad multitasking thoughts

[Marlon DLTH :)]

I have seen completely different opinions about multitasking on the iPad.

Some find it confusing, others love it.

What are your thoughts here? Do you like it or do you think it can be better? If you don’t like it, what do you propose to fix it?

I find it a really interesting topic and I would like to know what you think.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I have seen completely different opinions about multitasking on the iPad.

Some find it confusing, others love it.

What are your thoughts here? Do you like it or do you think it can be better? If you don’t like it, what do you propose to fix it?

I find it a really interesting topic and I would like to know what you think.

I like it the way it is. It isnt like a desktop, but it isnt like a phone either.

 

[spiderman0616]

I like it just fine when using it with touch. I LOVE it when using it with my Magic Keyboard. It largely mimics the trackpad gestures on Mac in most of the ways you'd expect it to, and the elements that are unique to iPadOS work really smoothly with a trackpad. The only thing about it that frustrates me is that some key apps I use every day STILL aren't fully compatible with multi-window, slideover, or split screen.

EDIT: Just to give some examples--Twitter is slideover compatible, but not multi-window compatible. So I always have to choose if I want it to live in slideover, a split screen pairing, or in its own Window. Slack is the same exact way. I hate that, because sometimes I want those apps to live in both slideover AND next to another app at the same time.

 

[Tsepz]

I am okay with it, although I am hoping that more developers do a better job at taking full advantage of the 6GB RAM in our 2020 Pros, it seems some of them still have not allowed split screen.

 

[spiderman0616]

I am okay with it, although I am hoping that more developers do a better job at taking full advantage of the 6GB RAM in our 2020 Pros, it seems some of them still have not allowed split screen.

Exactly--I wish Apple was more strict about requiring those features.

 

[muzzy996]

I'm really not using multitasking much at all on my 12.9. Never really have. If I want to multitask I'll use my PC's or macbook so that I have full control over each application window. I don't see having that kind of freedom on an iPad for a while and even when it finally comes it will surely require each app developer to adopt the new APIs which means the mixed bag experience will continue for years.

I love my ipad pro despite this though, because my primary use case is browsing and media consumption so I really don't need to use multitasking heavily. My iPP will get 3 or 4 hours of screen time a day, 7 days a week.

I think its great that others do use the tablet that way though. We're not all built the same.

 

[Abazigal]

I have seen completely different opinions about multitasking on the iPad.

Some find it confusing, others love it.

What are your thoughts here? Do you like it or do you think it can be better? If you don’t like it, what do you propose to fix it?

I find it a really interesting topic and I would like to know what you think.

There needs to be a better way to trigger multitasking in apps not on your dock when you are not using an external keyboard. People say you can do it using some complicated finger gymnastics but I have never for the life of me been able to figure it out.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

There needs to be a better way to trigger multitasking in apps not on your dock when you are not using an external keyboard. People say you can do it using some complicated finger gymnastics but I have never for the life of me been able to figure it out.

Completely agree. They should integrate the App Library into the dock (like the Launchpad on the Mac) and this problem would be solved.

 

[Abazigal]

Completely agree. They should integrate the App Library into the dock (like the Launchpad on the Mac) and this problem would be solved.

Or integrate finder into the notifications shade so I can search for and launch apps from it while in another app.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I like the iPad multitasking ability. It has come a long way in the last two years. The problem is too many people expect (read: compare) the iPad Pro multitasking to be at the same level as a MacBook Pro.

Without the trackpad (and mouse although I don’t use it) I don’t believe there would be such high demand for the pro models right now. Instead of being seen as merely a consumption device as it has been for years (until recently) the iPad is becoming more balanced and gaining more recognition in the area of productivity apart from drawing and photography.

 

[ejin222]

I like the multitasking too, but my HOPE is that with the emergence of Apple Silicon that the iPad will basically turn into a touchscreen Mac. I get that the iPad was created for a different niche and all that (please, I'm not trying to incite any arguments there), but sometimes you just want a device that can do it all. With Apple Silicon, I TRULY believe that Apple can do it across the different platforms it has.

I say this not as a jaded iPad user, but I love my iPad Pro, more than any of my Apple devices. It's just that at the end of the day, I don't want to work around compromises anymore. I want desktop level apps on iPad and desktop level multitasking (and many of you have listed other wants/needs). Then I can eliminate some of the devices I have.

Of course, I'm sure that's not Cook's intent or desire, but all these teases that Apple releases with "What is a computer?" and Apple Silicon sure makes me think that they are more than capable of merging the lines and giving a desktop experience on the iPad (Pro).

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

I like the multitasking too, but my HOPE is that with the emergence of Apple Silicon that the iPad will basically turn into a touchscreen Mac. I get that the iPad was created for a different niche and all that (please, I'm not trying to incite any arguments there), but sometimes you just want a device that can do it all. With Apple Silicon, I TRULY believe that Apple can do it across the different platforms it has.

I say this not as a jaded iPad user, but I love my iPad Pro, more than any of my Apple devices. It's just that at the end of the day, I don't want to work around compromises anymore. I want desktop level apps on iPad and desktop level multitasking (and many of you have listed other wants/needs). Then I can eliminate some of the devices I have.

Of course, I'm sure that's not Cook's intent or desire, but all these teases that Apple releases with "What is a computer?" and Apple Silicon sure makes me think that they are more than capable of merging the lines and giving a desktop experience on the iPad (Pro).

I don’t think they will ever merge iPadOS and MacOS because they are clear on the difference between both.
iPadOS is the mobile platform for the mainstream that don’t need a real computer for their needs, MacOS is for profesional tasks.

However, I agree with you that they should merge the iPad App Store and Mac App Store.

Also, iPadOS needs to be a bit better in things like file management and multitasking to achieve that “mainstream” goal.

 

[macdogpro]

Current methods of split view and multi slide overs is working fine with me.

But like others said, somehow the utilization of the 6gb rams is still not being optimized.
I often find some apps quit unexpectedly during multitasking.
My case was Numbers app quit during Google Meet session.
Not to mention the Files App. That poor stability app crashes even on basic dragging and dropping files between split views.

 

[ejin222]

I don’t think they will ever merge iPadOS and MacOS because they are clear on the difference between both.
iPadOS is the mobile platform for the mainstream that don’t need a real computer for their needs, MacOS is for profesional tasks.

However, I agree with you that they should merge the iPad App Store and Mac App Store.

Also, iPadOS needs to be a bit better in things like file management and multitasking to achieve that “mainstream” goal.

Yeah, I completely agree that Apple clearly differentiates between the OS's, but with them now bringing Apple Silicon over to the Mac system, that line has now blurred.

I mean, this begs the question: what's stopping them from bringing full MacOS capabilities over to the iPad line (probably only Pro)? Not everyone who purchases an iPad needs a full computer for their needs, sure, but if they're able to do so with little cost on their side, why not? I would rather not use features and have them available than constantly work around the shortcomings of iPadOS. I'm sure you do too haha

At the end of the day, I get Apple's strategy that financially, they would rather have people purchase 2 devices from them.

 

[zkap]

I don't think Apple should blur the lines between the iPad and the Mac. Both should go in their own separate directions. It's fine for me that my iPad cannot replace my Macbook Air. The stuff I have problems with on the iPad are the small nuisances that hamper productivity, but it has nothing to do with wanting it to be MacOS-like.

I think the iPad is too good a device to be compromised by turning it into a Mac substitute/replacement.

 

[Traverse]

I think it's fine, but that's because I'm use to it. I think it's far from intuitive and difficult to wrap your head around if you're not used to that implementation.

 

[Shirasaki]

Of course, I'm sure that's not Cook's intent or desire, but all these teases that Apple releases with "What is a computer?" and Apple Silicon sure makes me think that they are more than capable of merging the lines and giving a desktop experience on the iPad (Pro).

Apple is the best marketing company in the world, so I have no doubt their marketing machine will convince less savvy tech users and general public easily, whether product can deliver promised experience shown in the ad or not. Advertisements don’t tell truth, but to cleverly mislead people into buying your stuff, product or service imo.

iPadOS is the mobile platform for the mainstream that don’t need a real computer for their needs, MacOS is for profesional tasks.

What Apple is doing is attempting to make iPadOS more versatile without losing the distinct iOS feel, which achieves the worst of both worlds I’d argue. Take file management for example. When I want to transfer files to PC, I HAVE TO use third party file manager cause files app dont support any local transfer feature. But then there is the Mac zip file and weird file name coding issue that is difficult to deal with, forcing me to upload stuff to the cloud and download, wasting tons of time and bandwidth, and losing privacy in the process.
Then, when I store files, the so-called iTunes file folder is not exposed to third party file managers for their own wireless transfer, meaning it is difficult to transfer files to another non-Apple device without copying or moving files outside of that iTunes file folder.
Apple better has some super clear direction of where iPadOS should go, but judging by their decision of turning macOS into a glorified iPadOS, I’m not convinced they are clear where they are going in terms of positioning iPadOS. Certainly, the line between macOS and iPadOS is getting blurred.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

Yeah, I completely agree that Apple clearly differentiates between the OS's, but with them now bringing Apple Silicon over to the Mac system, that line has now blurred.

I mean, this begs the question: what's stopping them from bringing full MacOS capabilities over to the iPad line (probably only Pro)? Not everyone who purchases an iPad needs a full computer for their needs, sure, but if they're able to do so with little cost on their side, why not? I would rather not use features and have them available than constantly work around the shortcomings of iPadOS. I'm sure you do too haha

At the end of the day, I get Apple's strategy that financially, they would rather have people purchase 2 devices from them.

Being able to run MacOS with a tool like BootCamp might be the best solution. iPadOS will remain the default OS, so people who just want a tablet will get the same. But to satisfy the most demanding consumers, we could have MacOS if we want (probably only iPad Pro).

However, as much as I would like something like that, I highly doubt they will ever do that. Let’s hope so.

 

[ejin222]

Being able to run MacOS with a tool like BootCamp might be the best solution. iPadOS will remain the default OS, so people who just want a tablet will get the same. But to satisfy the most demanding consumers, we could have MacOS if we want (probably only iPad Pro).

However, as much as I would like something like that, I highly doubt they will ever do that. Let’s hope so.

See, that's the thing. Why do we need to resort to all these work arounds when Apple Silicon screams to me that porting MacOS to iPad Pro seems very possible?

When you have such an otherwise "perfect" product but Apple seems to be holding back for whatever reason, sometimes I wish that they just kept the iPad to pre-iPadOS levels. Life was so much simpler then, with fewer complaints and what ifs haha.

But, I'm hoping that we will see more MacOS level features as Apple Silicon begins to roll out. It gives me something to look forward to with iPadOS (or whatever it'll be called in the future).

 

[rui no onna]

Take file management for example. When I want to transfer files to PC, I HAVE TO use third party file manager cause files app dont support any local transfer feature.

iOS 13 should have that.

I was able to copy files to/from my Windows desktop/Samba share with the Files app (Connect to Server). Not very reliable though. While my initial testing with a handful of ebooks worked okay, the Files app crashed on me trying to copy a 2GB folder (from Windows PC to iPad).

Really, Files just acts wonky for me quite often (contents not showing, can't open iCloud or On My iPad folder) and the only fix is a reboot.

 

[Digitalguy]

Sometimes people think naively in terms of what's best for them... How about what's best for Apple? Apple will never make MacOS available on ipad as they have no incentive to do it... Why would they do it? To please the people wanting it on ipad? While at the same time hurting the sales of macs for those same people, for whom macs would become redundant? How would this benefit Apple? They already have hardly any competition with tablets. They are not even in a hurry to improve ipados quickly. But they will, slowly... They will make it work with external monitors so that they can sell more keyboards, they will make a better pencil so people, again buy more expensive accessories, they will bring expensive (several hundred dollars) pro apps like final cut and logic to the ipad. And this will benefit them. And all of us too in the end... even if we pay for it... it's a win win

 

[Mr.Blacky]

There needs to be a better way to trigger multitasking in apps not on your dock when you are not using an external keyboard. People say you can do it using some complicated finger gymnastics but I have never for the life of me been able to figure it out.

How do you trigger multitasking with an external keyboard?

 

[Abazigal]

How do you trigger multitasking with an external keyboard?

Press cmd+space to bring up finder, search for the app (usually by typing the first few letters), then drag it from the search results out to the side to trigger split-screen mode.

 

[macdogpro]

Press cmd+space to bring up finder, search for the app (usually by typing the first few letters), then drag it from the search results out to the side to trigger split-screen mode.

This is working well, thank you for reminding this.
I was initially hoping this would work on the app switcher.

For now, I just get all the apps on my dock for easy access to drag and split view. Leaving my home screen empty like on desktop computers, only showing the always stay widgets.

 

[Tsepz]

I like the multitasking too, but my HOPE is that with the emergence of Apple Silicon that the iPad will basically turn into a touchscreen Mac. I get that the iPad was created for a different niche and all that (please, I'm not trying to incite any arguments there), but sometimes you just want a device that can do it all. With Apple Silicon, I TRULY believe that Apple can do it across the different platforms it has.

I say this not as a jaded iPad user, but I love my iPad Pro, more than any of my Apple devices. It's just that at the end of the day, I don't want to work around compromises anymore. I want desktop level apps on iPad and desktop level multitasking (and many of you have listed other wants/needs). Then I can eliminate some of the devices I have.

Of course, I'm sure that's not Cook's intent or desire, but all these teases that Apple releases with "What is a computer?" and Apple Silicon sure makes me think that they are more than capable of merging the lines and giving a desktop experience on the iPad (Pro).

Completely agree with this and I fully believe within the next 5 years we will see a merge. My personal take is that Apple are moving to a future where they have one OS that is scalable depending on the device you are on, and depending on device will open up certain features, and if combined with an iPhone,iPad and MacBook can be incredibly seamless as though they are all one device.

The move to Apple Silicone makes me think Apple have a huge vision for all their OSs. Even if they don’t rollout one big OS that encapsulates all of the devices, but I thin iOS ,iPad OS and MacOS are headed to be far more integrated than ever in to each other in some way.