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

Monday June 9, 2014 1:09 pm PDT by Juli Clover
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.

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sk1wbw
66 months ago
Do Android zealots actually believe that Android was the first OS to do anything? :rolleyes:
Rating: 18 Votes
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sk1wbw
66 months ago

Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p


Android wasn’t the first OS to have split window multitasking.
Rating: 15 Votes
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oneMadRssn
66 months ago

Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p


More like welcome to Xerox PARC, in 1973.
Rating: 15 Votes
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Chupa Chupa
66 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.
Rating: 10 Votes
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icyrock1
66 months ago

But seriously, who cares who had it first?


The people who keep passive aggressively bringing it up.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Sky Blue
66 months ago
so, do we see this + Maps improvements with 8.1 or does it get push back to 9?
Rating: 9 Votes
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Sky Blue
66 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.


Rating: 9 Votes
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heehee
66 months ago
Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p
Rating: 8 Votes
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tbayrgs
66 months ago

Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p


Actually, try welcome to TouchWiz on select Samsung devices, most within the past year. Also, not a great implementation as the number of compatible apps was severely limited. But yes, your 'late to the game' implementation is understood.
Rating: 8 Votes
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ElTorro
66 months ago

Welcome to Android, 2 years ago. :p


Jobs was pretty pissed about the things Android took from Apple. But if we keep counting, I think Apple, by now, took more ideas from Android.
Rating: 8 Votes

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