iPad Mini 4 Likely to Support Split View Multitasking

Files within OS X El Capitan indicate the upcoming iPad mini 4 will support full Split View multitasking, suggesting its internal specs will be on par with the iPad Air 2. An OS X El Capitan resource file first located by developer Hamza Sood and 9to5Mac from the Safari 9 browser depicts an iPad mini with two apps side-by-side, which is how the Split View feature works.

ipad_mini_half
Responsive design mode, which gives developers a way to test different layouts in Safari 9, also allows developers to simulate a Split View layout on an iPad mini 3. The iPad mini 3 does not support Split View, offering further proof that the iPad mini 4 is likely to be the tablet that uses Split View multitasking.

ipad_mini_half_safari
iOS 9 introduces multitasking for the iPad, and while two of the features, Picture-in-Picture and Slide Over, are available on the iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3, the true Split View multitasking feature is only available on the iPad Air 2 because it has 2GB of RAM and a robust A8X processor.

To support Split View, the upcoming iPad mini 4 will need to have internal specs that match or exceed those of the iPad Air 2. It's likely the device will include Apple's A8X processor or the A9 processor that's being used in its 2015 iOS devices, with 2GB of RAM also being a strong possibility.

Multitasking on the iPad in iOS 9

Specs for the iPad mini 4 have not yet been confirmed, as rumors have focused primarily on the external design of the device. It's expected to look like a smaller version of the iPad Air 2, with a much slimmer 6.1mm body and iPad Air 2-style design features.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

Mitsjke Avatar
113 months ago
1 GB RAM the last years was an absolute d*ck move. Apple knew long before iOS 9 that they would implent split view, but they decided to keep on to 1 GB RAM wasn't enough since iOS 7. It's like the bending iphones, they are not bending according to Apple, but they are going to make the iPhone 6S bend-proof... and like 8GB and 16GB phones already were too small since 2010. And the iPad Mini 3, asking a 100 bucks for Touch ID only.And even after this some sheeps are defending Apple's choices like it's a God. Apple isn't God. Apple isn't perfect. Yet, My next phone will be an iPhone.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FreakinEurekan Avatar
113 months ago
The iPad mini 3 does not support Split View, offering further proof that the iPad mini 4 is likely to be the tablet
You keep using that word - I do not think it means, what you think it means. The word you're looking for is evidence.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
skinned66 Avatar
113 months ago
I think making any new iPad that didn't support split view multitasking would be a huge mistake.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1458279 Avatar
113 months ago
Or maybe Apple has figured out a way to make Split View compatible with older hardware. I wouldn't rule out Split View on the iPad Mini 3 just yet.
As I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong), the iPad Mini 3 is the same as the iPad Mini 2 (excluding touch ID)... Same processor, ram, etc...

The iPad Mini 2 just got axed by some retailers. I was considering buying one, but now because of this Split View, I might pass.

Apple does have a 'rich' history of killing the old products. Remember, it was proven that Siri would would on older devices, but Apple wouldn't allow it. iPT Gen4 was proven to be able to run Siri.

At this point, the truth is that the Mini (both 2 and 3) are old tech, the last mini 'upgrade' was the weakest EVER.

On the upside, I'm excited to see the Mini hasn't been dropped. It's a great size factor for business use and Split View could make it really awesome.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleScruff1 Avatar
113 months ago
I certainly never said that.
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you did. Many here said it was unnecessary when Samsung tablets got it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleScruff1 Avatar
113 months ago
I thought split screen needed 2GB RAM?
And I thought split screen multitasking was unnecessary, or at least it was until Apple decided to use it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation, GameCube, Wii, and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...