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

TMRS 187 WWDC26 Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Apple Announces WWDC 2026

Friday March 27, 2026 9:51 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's announcement of its 37th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where the company is expected to unveil a major Siri overhaul alongside iOS 27, macOS 27, and other next-generation operating systems. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Like last year, WWDC 2026 will be a primarily online...
2026 Swift Student Challenge

Apple Notifying WWDC 2026 Swift Student Challenge Winners

Thursday March 26, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by
Apple today began notifying students who won the WWDC 2026 Swift Student Challenge, held from February 6 to February 28. Students who entered the challenge can sign into the website to see their status. Apple did not say how many winners it chose this year, but in prior years, the company selected a total of 350 winners. Those who win the Swift Student Challenge are eligible to enter Apple's ...
WWDC26 Glowing Ring Feature

Apple Sending WWDC 2026 Invites to Special Event Lottery Winners

Thursday April 2, 2026 2:03 pm PDT by
Students and developers who won the lottery to attend the WWDC 2026 Special Event at Apple Park on June 8 have started receiving their invites. Apple is holding a WWDC keynote viewing at Apple Park, but space is limited so invites were done on a lottery basis. Apple accepted submissions from those interested in attending until Monday night, and winners are now being notified. Developers...

Top Rated Comments

brdeveloper Avatar
155 months ago
Split screen like that we saw in Samsung TouchWiz UI since 2012? #thinkdifferent
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spyguy10709 Avatar
155 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
155 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
155 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)
155 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
155 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)