On Steve Jobs on iOS 4 Multitasking
“People shouldn’t have to understand multitasking. Just use is [sic] as designed, and you’ll be happy. No need to ever quit apps.”
I think this bit goes to show that multitasking has been done wrong all along on mobile platforms. With my brief six month stint in Android hell I was constantly worried about what apps are running. Why is that thing still open? Who the hell just fired up the GPS? Jesus shit! I just had 90% battery, you’re telling me the cute comic app has been searching for updates for the past 45 minutes and now my phone is dead?
When out and away from any source of power I was nearly obsessively checking my app manager to make sure nothing was running, always worried a rogue program would steal all my battery. The problem is, I don’t think even Google knows what their policy is on multitasking so I really can’t blame the app devs. You read one quote from a Eric Schmidt, Google CEO, telling you not to worry about multitasking, the dev should. While Google founder, Larry Page says that there is something seriously wrong.
What Steve Jobs is getting at here is that, like most other things (ie: the camera, typing, brightness, notes,…), let the hardware and software you paid up-words of $200 for do the work. Stop worrying about it. No, all those apps aren’t running. No, you don’t need to manage that tray. The tray is there to make it easier to move between apps, eliminating how many times you have to search through your home screen and folders for apps. Do you know why this tray idea is brilliant? Through out the day you probably turn your phone on and off hundreds of times, maybe using 2-4 apps each time. Waiting for my change, oh I’ll check twitter and my mail. The dog is doing its thing, wonder what news is happening and if my buddy is on aim? Now you can do these tasks over and over amazing quickly without ever seeing your home screen. Apple has eliminated a transition, a shutdown-startup cycle for you. Even with apps that haven’t been tweaked for the new instant open switching is much faster, including on the 3GS.
People are so ready to nail Apple for not doing true multitasking and there has been a lot of talk about that. What people should worry about is if this form really useful and practical? Now that I have my hands on it, has it enhanced my phone and do I feel I can do things as quickly or quicker than my Android toting friends? My wager is yes, and I’d bet money that you’ll be forgetting you’re even doing it inside a week where your Android friend will be reminded daily that they’re multitasking.
