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Multitasking (iOS)

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From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.[1][2] Only iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 3rd generation were able to use multitasking.[3] The iPad did not get multitasking until iOS 4.2 was released in November 2010.[4] Multitasking is currently supported on iPhone 3GS or newer, iPod Touch 3rd generation or newer, and all iPad models.[5]

Features

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Fast app switching

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Fast app switching lets apps to pause and resume themselves quickly and easily change to other apps.[6]An app that is on the screen is "running". An app that is not on screen but is still in memory is "suspended".[7] All apps that are built with iOS 4 SDK support fast app switching if running on iOS 4 and a compatible device.[8] Users can use fast app switching by opening the multitasking bar. The multitasking bar can be displayed by double-tapping the home button.[7][3]

Task completion

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Task completion lets apps continue a certain task after the app has been suspended.[9][10] Apps can ask for up to ten minutes to complete a task in the background in iOS 4.0 or later.[11]

Running in the background

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Apps can run in the background by using background APIs. The following are available in iOS 4.0 or later:[12][13]

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

The following two APIs were added in iOS 5.0:[14]

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

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  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. ↑ 3.0 3.1 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. 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.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 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.
  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.
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