Multitasking (iOS)

Multitasking is a feature available on iOS that allows multiple applications to run and perform tasks at the same time. It is available in iOS 4 or later. Multitasking features for iPad were added, including Spilt View and Picture in Picture, since iOS 9.

Multitasking was first released in June 2010 with the release of iOS 4.0. Only iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 3rd generation were able to use multitasking. The iPad did not get multitasking until iOS 4.2 was released in November 2010. Multitasking is currently supported on iPhone 3GS or newer, iPod Touch 3rd generation or newer, and all iPad models.

Features

Fast app switching

Fast app switching lets apps to pause and resume themselves quickly and easily change to other apps.An app that is on the screen is "running". An app that is not on screen but is still in memory is "suspended". All apps that are built with iOS 4 SDK support fast app switching if running on iOS 4 and a compatible device. Users can use fast app switching by opening the multitasking bar. The multitasking bar can be displayed by double-tapping the home button.

Task completion

Task completion lets apps continue a certain task after the app has been suspended. Apps can ask for up to ten minutes to complete a task in the background in iOS 4.0 or later.

Running in the background

Apps can run in the background by using background APIs. The following are available in iOS 4.0 or later:

  • Audio—plays audio
  • Location—uses location services
  • VOIP—makes VOIP calls

The following two APIs were added in iOS 5.0:

  • Newsstand—downloads content for Newsstand
  • External accessory—interacts with an external accessory

References

  1. ↑ "iOS 4 iPhone Update RELEASED: A Guide To iOS 4". The Huffington Post. June 21, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  2. ↑ Albanesius, Chloe (June 21, 2010). "Apple iPhone iOS 4 Software Update Expected Monday". PC Mag. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Cheng, Jacqui (June 21, 2010). "Ars reviews iOS 4: what's new, notable, and what needs work". Ars Technica. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Ray, Bill (November 22, 2010). "iOS 4.2 multi-tasking comes to the iPad". The Register. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Switch apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch".
  6. ↑ Shimpi, Anand (June 22, 2010). "Apple's iOS 4 Explored". AnandTech. Retrieved April 14, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. 1 2 Perenson, Melissa (June 8, 2010). "Multitasking on Apple's iPhone 4: How Does It Work?". PCWorld. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Documentation Archive".
  9. ↑ Snell, Jason (April 8, 2010). "Inside iPhone 4.0's multitasking". MacWorld. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Apple iPhone 4". CNet. June 23, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  11. ↑ Hollington, Jesse (June 21, 2010). "Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iOS 4". iLounge. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ Newman, Jared (June 22, 2010). "Multitasking With iOS 4 is Horrible: Apple Blew It". PCWorld. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  13. ↑ Diaz, Jesus (April 8, 2010). "How Multitasking Works in the New iPhone OS 4.0". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  14. ↑ Speirs, Fraser (January 4, 2012). "How iOS multitasking really works". MacWorld. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.