iOS 8 Code Points to Multiple Options for Split-Screen Multitasking

Apple's split-screen multitasking feature for iOS 8 did not make it into the company's Worldwide Developers Conference or the first release of iOS 8, but it is still in the works. As noted by developer Steven Troughton-Smith, iOS 8's internal SpringBoard includes code that allows apps to run side-by-side in multiple sizes: 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4. Apps that are running side-by-side are displayed as a single app in the App Switcher.

First hinted at in May, split-screen multitasking will allow two apps to be displayed on a single screen on the iPad Air, Apple's largest tablet. The feature, which reportedly only works in landscape mode, will allow iPad owners to use two apps simultaneously and it may also allow users to share information like links, images, and text between two apps.

Previous concept for split-screen multitasking (not based on specific rumors)

The iPad's inability to display two apps at once is a lack that Microsoft has used to advertise its Surface tablet, which does have the ability to display multiple apps on the screen at one time.

It appears that split-screen multitasking may initially be limited to the iPad Air, with support for the iPhone and the Retina iPad mini possibly coming at a later date. Split-screen multitasking could also be slated for Apple's rumored 12.9-inch "iPad Pro" that may or may not be in development.

Ahead of the Worldwide Developers Conference, Brian Chen of The New York Times confirmed that split-screen multitasking is still a work in progress. It may see a debut during one of the many updates Apple is likely to release as it refines iOS 8 ahead of a public release, or it may be a feature the company is saving for a later iOS 8.1 update.

Related Forum: iOS 8

Top Rated Comments

sk1wbw Avatar
128 months ago
Do Android zealots actually believe that Android was the first OS to do anything? :rolleyes:
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn Avatar
128 months ago
Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p

More like welcome to Xerox PARC, in 1973.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sk1wbw Avatar
128 months ago
Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p

Android wasn’t the first OS to have split window multitasking.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icyrock1 Avatar
128 months ago
But seriously, who cares who had it first?

The people who keep passive aggressively bringing it up.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chupa Chupa Avatar
128 months ago
I wouldn't be too shocked if Apple withheld this from the iOS 8 preview b/c it's going to be an iPad Air 2/iMac mini Retina 2 exclusive... not because the earlier models aren't buff enough but just because it makes a great selling point when you have not much else different for the new models other than Touch ID and under the hood stuff most people don't understand.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sky Blue Avatar
128 months ago
Unless MacRumors has additional sources besides the ones linked to in the article, this appears to be utter bull. The only thing they link to is a tweet from a random guy (as far as I can tell) claiming that he saw SpringBoard code that says it can do this.

He doesn't share the code in question that he supposedly saw, nor where he saw it.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...