iPad Mini 4 Likely to Support Split View Multitasking

Tuesday August 11, 2015 6:10 pm PDT by Juli Clover
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 5
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Caution)
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Mitsjke
58 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.
Rating: 20 Votes
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FreakinEurekan
58 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.
Rating: 8 Votes
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skinned66
58 months ago
I think making any new iPad that didn't support split view multitasking would be a huge mistake.
Rating: 7 Votes
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1458279
58 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.
Rating: 7 Votes
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AppleScruff1
58 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.
Rating: 6 Votes
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AppleScruff1
58 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.
Rating: 6 Votes
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anshuvorty
58 months ago
Maybe they should introduce the "S" series to the Air series of tablets as well? That way people won't be expecting a revolution/redesign with each iteration of the device.
Rating: 4 Votes
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dec.
58 months ago

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you did. Many here said it was unnecessary when Samsung tablets got it.


Many also said that it's a good thing.
Rating: 3 Votes
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AngerDanger
58 months ago


I wonder if this article was guest edited by Chris Nolan.
Rating: 3 Votes
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69Mustang
58 months ago
This would have excited me 2 years ago. My iPad2 sits on a shelf unused. My N7 rarely leaves my bag. I even found my iPad original in a box in the garage (STILL WORKS, albeit a little slowly). Sadly, tablets don't do it for me anymore. I do want a Skylake mac mini though... unless it's crippled like the last "update". I'm offering you my money Apple, don't eff it up.
Rating: 2 Votes

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