The New Multitasking Improvements

[bmac89]

Hello,

I’m not on the beta but would love to hear more about the new multitasking improvements. Also it would be great to see some screen recordings if anyone is willing.

1) My first question is whether you can still drag an app with the 3 dots (previously a bar) or do you have to tap the dots and select the options (split view, slide-over, centre etc)?

2) Also can you drag to switch split view apps from left to right or from split view to slide over / centre view and vice versa etc?

3) How do you summon the new app pane?

4) Is it possible to initiate multitasking/split screen by dragging an app from the homescreen, open another app and drop onto the side to open split view or is this problematic/impossible like iPadOS 13?

5) How about drag & drop from spotlight search (without keyboard attached) to initiate multitasking / split screen?

6) Can you open a new second instance of an open app using the 3 dots (multitasking button)? Currently in Safari you can open a second safari window by long pressing the tab button > open new window.

7) Swiping with finger or Apple Pencil from the corner initiates quick note. What has happened to screenshot & markup which previously used this gesture with the Apple Pencil?

8) Are there any other useful multitasking improvements I may not be aware of?

Many Thanks!

 

[cmaier]

Hello,

I’m not on the beta but would love to hear more about the new multitasking improvements. Also it would be great to see some screen recordings if anyone is willing.

1) My first question is whether you can still drag an app with the 3 dots (previously a bar) or do you have to tap the dots and select the options (split view, slide-over, centre etc)?

2) Also can you drag to switch split view apps from left to right or from split view to slide over / centre view and vice versa etc?

3) How do you summon the new app pane?

4) Is it possible to initiate multitasking/split screen by dragging an app from the homescreen, open another app and drop onto the side to open split view or is this problematic/impossible like iPadOS 13?

5) How about drag & drop from spotlight search (without keyboard attached) to initiate multitasking / split screen?

6) Can you open a new second instance of an open app using the 3 dots (multitasking button)? Currently in Safari you can open a second safari window by long pressing the tab button > open new window.

7) Swiping with finger or Apple Pencil from the corner initiates quick note. What has happened to screenshot & markup which previously used this gesture with the Apple Pencil?

8) Are there any other useful multitasking improvements I may not be aware of?

Many Thanks!

1) yes you can still drag using the 3 dots
2) yes
3) which new app pane?
4) not sure exactly what you are asking - how would you open another app in that scenario?
5) haven’t tested it
6) you can do it by using the three dots, which brings up the shelf - then there is a “+” to the right of the items on the shelf, which you can tap to open another instance of the app. One thing I can’t remember is if the shelf shows up when there is only one instance of the app - I think not. So it may be easier to open the third instance than the 2nd.
7) I think it’s left bottom corner for screenshot and right bottom corner for note. Haven’t played with the pencil yet (I’m using an old ipad as my test vehicle)
8) the idea of “center” windows, which appear centered over other windows (like “compose new email” in email.app) is something for which there is now an SDK, so you will be seeing that more.

 

[bmac89]

1) yes you can still drag using the 3 dots
2) yes
3) which new app pane?
4) not sure exactly what you are asking - how would you open another app in that scenario?
5) haven’t tested it
6) you can do it by using the three dots, which brings up the shelf - then there is a “+” to the right of the items on the shelf, which you can tap to open another instance of the app. One thing I can’t remember is if the shelf shows up when there is only one instance of the app - I think not. So it may be easier to open the third instance than the 2nd.
7) I think it’s left bottom corner for screenshot and right bottom corner for note. Haven’t played with the pencil yet (I’m using an old ipad as my test vehicle)
8) the idea of “center” windows, which appear centered over other windows (like “compose new email” in email.app) is something for which there is now an SDK, so you will be seeing that more.

Thanks heaps!

3) My mistake, I actually meant the app shelf.

4) Drag & drop from homescreen to initiate multitasking was previously possible. Not sure if it was iOS 12 or 13 which broke this. Basically drag app from homescreen and either hover it onto another app icon or use a different finger to tap open...

Glad to see multitasking is getting some improvements and fine tuning.

 

[cmaier]

Thanks heaps!

3) My mistake, I actually meant the app shelf.

4) Drag & drop from homescreen to initiate multitasking was previously possible. Not sure if it was iOS 12 or 13 which broke this. Basically drag app from homescreen and either hover it onto another app icon or use a different finger to tap open...

Glad to see multitasking is getting some improvements and fine tuning.

Ah. To bring up the app shelf, tap the … button. But only if the app already has multiple windows open. It also automatically comes up when you switch to an app that has multiple windows open.

As for (4), I remember the good old days. That stuff, I think does not work still. But the new system is in some ways better (more easily discoverable, more consistent). Open an app, then use the … and the window swooshes to the side so you can pick an app from springboard, etc. Swipe down on a split-view app and the same thing happens so you can replace it if you want. I actually like it better than the old ios12 methods.

You can also do the thing where in the task switcher (swipe up from bottom) you drag one window onto another, but I can’t see that being all that useful since you never know what will be there.

 

[bmac89]

Edit: double post

 

[bmac89]

Can anyone let me know whether you can have two instances of the photos app open in split view?
(I.e. For comparing two photos side by side.)

Thanks!

5) How about drag & drop from spotlight search (without keyboard attached) to initiate multitasking / split screen?

According to this Mac Rumors article you can now drag and drop apps from the spotlight search to the homescreen so it seems plausible that it may be possible to initiate multitasking from spotlight search.