Thoughts on Multi-Tasking

[Night Spring]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned alarm clock apps -- those need to run in the background. There are a ton of alarm clock apps in the app store, some of them with extremely useful features, but they are all crippled because while they are running, you can't use the iPhone for anything else!

 

[samcraig]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned alarm clock apps -- those need to run in the background. There are a ton of alarm clock apps in the app store, some of them with extremely useful features, but they are all crippled because while they are running, you can't use the iPhone for anything else!

Haven't you heard? You don't need multitasking. And you don't need alarms or anything that would use it. You're just being silly and demanding!

 

[qtx43]

...I want to use it as a computer and while its certainly not a laptop replacement apple is providing an office suite and is it too much to ask to allow me to efficiently work with those applications?

Yes, it is too much to ask. I like the iPad, if the real thing is anything like what I read about on the internet, I'm definitely getting one. It has a really high quality display, looks easy to carry around and use, and is extremely versatile. But no, for $500 you're not going to be able to use iWork as efficiently as you do on a desktop computer or even a laptop. If that's what you want, get a cheap MS Windows desktop. They're useful, I like Mac OSX much better, but you can get things done on Windows.

 

[EssentialParado]

Again - the argument against multitasking is silly.

The argument for multi-tasking is silly, there are only exceptions for very specific apps.

It's not something that's needed universally across all apps, but I do agree a solution is needed for streaming music apps.

 

[samcraig]

The argument for multi-tasking is silly, there are only exceptions for very specific apps.

It's not something that's needed universally across all apps, but I do agree a solution is needed for streaming music apps.

That's what you're basing your criteria on? That not all apps NEED multitasking. Well - pardon the 3rd grade expression - but DUH. But even if only a handful of apps would benefit from multitasking - why NOT include it.

The reason it's silly to argue AGAINST multitasking is because you're arguing against a product enhancement. It would be like arguing that they shouldn't have a longer last battery. Or that they shouldn't offer the iPad in more than one color. Or that they shouldn't offer a 128gig iPad.

 

[maflynn]

The argument for multi-tasking is silly, there are only exceptions for very specific apps.

Your post is really what is at the root of the debate. Many people who believe multi-tasking is not needed fail to grasp that others actually do want it. They’re closed minded to the fact that computers and multi-tasking aid a users ability to efficiently get their tasks done. If it wasn’t such a huge deal, we’d not see every other smart phone company embrace multi-tasking. If people want multi-tasking for a cell phone, how much more would it be useable for the iPad.

To many times the argument for multi-tasking is done to defend’s apple’s stance rather then objectively discern that some people think it’s a worthwhile feature. It's like the people defending apple’s decision not to have flash, they valiantly claim that html5 is the future and flash is the spawn of satan. The bottom line is in both cases apple has decided that it knows better but reality they're failing to listen to the needs/wants of its customers.

I can be an apple fanboy just as much as any other member of macrumors, but apple did slip up w/o giving us the ability to run more then one app on the ipad.

 

[samcraig]

Well said maflynn. Hence it's a silly "argument"

 

[Luke Redpath]

As an iPhone developer, here's my take on multi-tasking:

For a while, I wasn't convinced that multi-tasking is really that necessary on either the iPhone platform or the new iPad platform. Having given it some thought, I've changed my mind about the iPad but stand by my original views on the iPhone.

First, let's be clear about two different but related issues: one is the ability to run background tasks. The second is the ability to run multiple apps and switch between them without having to open and close them (or potentially run them side beside). Let's call this "multi-tasking" for the sake of this discussion.

I firmly believe that multi-tasking on the iPhone or iPod touch makes little sense. They are clearly resource-constrained devices and I don't think the ability to multi-task adds a lot. However, there is a clear argument for being able to run (digitally-signed, tightly resource-managed) background processes.

The applications for this are obvious: music apps can keep their stream running in the background (without having to keep the UI around), apps can perform data fetches on a periodic basis (e.g. RSS readers), apps can set alarms (although a CalendarStore API would probably make more sense here).

Now, for the iPad, the same argument for background processes remains and with a bigger screen and more processing power, multi-tasking becomes more useful. The question is, will it happen?

I'm around 75% certain that it will. I believe the iPad has enough resources to multi-task to some extent. Clearly the OS is capable of doing so. But here's one thing that people frequently seem to forget: it's a MASSIVE user interface problem.

On the desktop, this problem has been solved many times - Cmd/Alt+Tab; expose, docks, taskbars etc. The iPad has none of this. Some kind of gesture-based solution would seem to make sense, but which gesture? What would the UI be? How would you avoid conflicts with app-specific gestures?

If Apple were to implement multi-tasking, these are just some of the questions they have to find the answer to. Look at how long they took over Cut/Copy/Paste. They could have rolled it in to an earlier release with a half-baked UI but they took their time. They waited until they thought they had it just right.

This is how Apple works. We should all know that by now. Should the lack of multi-tasking delayed the iPad from shipping? No, I don't think it should.

EDIT: I felt I could expand on this a bit and haven't blogged in months so, blog post!

 

[Luke Redpath]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned alarm clock apps -- those need to run in the background.

Or...they simply need access to some kind of Calendar API that lets apps register events with a single, centralised calendar daemon process.

Not an argument against multi-tasking or background processes in general, but a good example of people not really thinking outside the box on this one.

 

[Night Spring]

Or...they simply need access to some kind of Calendar API that lets apps register events with a single, centralised calendar daemon process.

Not an argument against multi-tasking or background processes in general, but a good example of people not really thinking outside the box on this one.

Frankly, as an end user with very limited knowledge of programming functions, I don't care how it's done, as long as it works!

That aside, jailbroken iphones/ipod touches have had multitasking for a while now, and while it does cause some slowdown/lag in older iphones/touches, the newest generations (iphone 3gs and touch 3rd gen) have no problem running several apps in the background. The jailbroken backgrounding solutions may not be up to Apple standards, but they do work. I really hope Apple does include multitasking in OS 4.0, or at least some kind of Calendar API like the one you suggest. Push notifcation is such a clumsy and unreliable work-around. Imagine you are boiling an egg, and the alarm is sent through push, and for some reason the signal doesn't get through -- overboiled egg coming right up!

 

[lordhamster]

Frankly, as an end user with very limited knowledge of programming functions, I don't care how it's done, as long as it works!

That aside, jailbroken iphones/ipod touches have had multitasking for a while now, and while it does cause some slowdown/lag in older iphones/touches, the newest generations (iphone 3gs and touch 3rd gen) have no problem running several apps in the background. The jailbroken backgrounding solutions may not be up to Apple standards, but they do work. I really hope Apple does include multitasking in OS 4.0, or at least some kind of Calendar API like the one you suggest. Push notifcation is such a clumsy and unreliable work-around. Imagine you are boiling an egg, and the alarm is sent through push, and for some reason the signal doesn't get through -- overboiled egg coming right up!

Luckily the built in alarm clock is one of the few apps that DOES have real multi-tasking. Thank goodness, or I'd be waking up late every morning!

 

[Night Spring]

Luckily the built in alarm clock is one of the few apps that DOES have real multi-tasking. Thank goodness, or I'd be waking up late every morning!

Unfortunately, the built-in alarm doesn't let me set my music as an alarm sound.

 

[lordhamster]

Unfortunately, the built-in alarm doesn't let me set my music as an alarm sound.

True, thus keeping my favorite songs my favorite songs.

The one song I did turn into a ringtone to use as a wakeup sound I now hate with a passion.

 

[marksman]

True, thus keeping my favorite songs my favorite songs.

The one song I did turn into a ringtone to use as a wakeup sound I now hate with a passion.

You should try MMM Bop. It never gets old.

 

[EssentialParado]

It's like the people defending apple’s decision not to have flash, they valiantly claim that html5 is the future and flash is the spawn of satan. The bottom line is in both cases apple has decided that it knows better but reality they're failing to listen to the needs/wants of its customers.

The consumer is an idiot. As said by Henry Ford — and paraphrased by Steve Jobs — when he asked what customers wanted, they told him: "A faster horse."

Look at the root of problems to find the true solutions. Well deconstructed by Luke above with his example of the alarm clock solution; considerably easier for the user, less resource intensive, and completely straightforward compared to multi-tasking.

why NOT include it.

Because it would be confusing and for all those who don't understand how it works and so end up leaving on several background processes running down their battery all the time. It is an inelegant solution, where there are much more logical solutions, and it is something that would require *teaching* to iPhone users, which isn't what Apple believes in - they want it to be doggone easy to understand.

 

[UltiMac]

I really like how Apple has approached their iPad in terms of multitasking (or the lack thereof)

They're targeting an entry level market (at this price point), but allowing an open door to developers to create the next generation in touch applications. I see this opening up the door to professionals, business markets and more. (For such a low starting price point, I see this as being a great multi-use device).

I see this as being great to implement into various workspaces and environments. Minimal training due to a simple and non-multitasking environment. Even the most fluent computer users (Mac or PC) I know still have a bit of trouble multitasking.

 

[samcraig]

Because it would be confusing and for all those who don't understand how it works and so end up leaving on several background processes running down their battery all the time. It is an inelegant solution, where there are much more logical solutions, and it is something that would require *teaching* to iPhone users, which isn't what Apple believes in - they want it to be doggone easy to understand.

They could make an app which could help manage resources. And if you are having performance issues and can't be bothered to try and find out why - then you shouldn't have the device to begin with. Again - stop treating consumers like idiots - which you just actually vocalized.

The iPhone's battery doesn't last long with 3G enabled, brightness up high, and various other settings. Yet somehow these idiotic consumers manage to figure out or ask someone how to get battery life.

When people's desktop systems are sluggish or weird things happen - they ask someone, google it or whatever they have to.

"Look at the root of problems to find the true solutions." The true solution is to educate the consumer and put out a superior device. The band-aid is to dumb something down and keep customers ignorant.