Rumored Split-Screen Multitasking Feature for iOS 8 Not Ready for WWDC Preview - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Rumored Split-Screen Multitasking Feature for iOS 8 Not Ready for WWDC Preview

The rumored split-screen multitasking feature said to be coming with iOS 8 is still a work in progress and won't be previewed at Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, according to Brian Chen of the New York Times.

Designed for the iPad Air and possibly a larger-screened iPad to be released in the future, split-screen multitasking would allow two apps to be displayed at the same time on a single screen while in landscape mode. It might also include a feature that allows users to share information like links, images, and text between two apps.

Split-screen multitasking concept, not rumor-based

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

While the multitasking feature will reportedly not make its debut at WWDC, it is still slated for inclusion in iOS 8. It appears multitasking will be limited to the iPad Air at launch, and it is unclear whether the smaller Retina iPad mini and iPhone might also gain the functionality.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2026

Popular Stories

Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

Apple Preparing New 'Gen AI' Website Ahead of WWDC

Saturday May 23, 2026 2:41 pm PDT by
Apple is readying the subdomain genai.apple.com, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, but it does not yet lead to a live web page. The genai.apple.com subdomain has been added to Apple's domain name servers a few weeks ahead of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC, where the company has promised to announce "AI advancements" across its software platforms. Apple's website...
iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

New iOS 27 Rumors Include Revamped AirPods Settings Menu and More

Sunday May 24, 2026 1:02 pm PDT by
Apple is set to unveil iOS 27 next month ahead of a September release. The update is expected to include a dedicated Siri app, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities in apps like Wallet, Safari, and Shortcuts, an upgraded keyboard with improved autocorrect, the ability to use Apple Maps via satellite connection, and more. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed...
wwdc 2026

iOS 27 Siri Redesign Will Use Dark Color Scheme, Matching Apple's WWDC Art

Tuesday May 26, 2026 2:30 pm PDT by
Apple is redesigning Siri for iOS 27 to accommodate new artificial intelligence features and chatbot capabilities. Siri is getting a dedicated app, integration with the iPhone's Dynamic Island, and a new design scheme. The graphics that Apple is using to promote WWDC hint at its design plans for Siri, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In this week's Power On newsletter, Gurman said the...

Top Rated Comments

brdeveloper Avatar
157 months ago
Split screen like that we saw in Samsung TouchWiz UI since 2012? #thinkdifferent
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spyguy10709 Avatar
157 months ago
This is honestly something that wouldn't have happened under Steve. That's the only time I'll say it -- I promise. But honestly... :(:(:(
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eadfrith Avatar
157 months ago
At this rate there wont be anything to show at WWDC except some other companies headphones.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoEw Avatar
157 months ago
This is honestly something that wouldn't have happened under Steve. That's the only time I'll say it -- I promise. But honestly... :(:(:(

He would wait, until he deemed it ready to be shown to the public.

If apple will do multitasking they will do it right.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
157 months ago
Why would it work only on the Air and not the Mini when they are essentially the same machine with different screen sizes? Hope this isn't a signal that Bigger and Biggest iPhones will have exclusive features.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ShiggyMiyamoto Avatar
157 months ago
Split screen like that we saw in Samsung TouchWiz UI since 2012? #thinkdifferent

If this hadn't been posted I would have done so. haha. Yeah that's what this screamed at me when I saw this article posted...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)