Multitasking

Apple’s massive tablet gets its killer app: djay Pro for iPad Pro is here

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

The iPad Pro has just received what could be described as a killer app in the form of German developer Algoriddim's djay Pro, a brand new iPad-exclusive apps for both pro and aspiring DJs which launched this morning in the App Store.

Joining Algoriddim's existing djay Pro for Mac, djay 2 for iPhone and djay 2 for iPad apps, djay Pro for iPad replicates the productivity of its Mac counterpart with extensive support for more than 70 keyboard shortcuts and iOS 9's Split View and Slide Over multitasking modes.

More importantly, the software takes full advantage of the iPad Pro's A9X chip to deliver pristine sound quality, desktop-class performance and features like high-definition waveforms, four decks, and video mixing with 4K support—all in real-time and without ever skipping a beat.

Tweetbot for Mac updated for El Capitan’s Split View multitasking and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

The Mac edition of Tweetbot, Tapbots' popular Twitter client, has received an update this morning in the Mac App Store. The refreshed app now supports El Capitan's Split View multitasking mode and can be taken to OS X's native full screen mode as well.

With design refinements made to match Tweetbot 4 for iOS, this edition of Tweetbot for Mac also brings out muting changes and introduces an overahuled tweet details view that now shows conversation and replies in the same order as its iOS counterpart.

How to go into and exit Split View multitasking mode from within Mission Control on your Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 25, 2017

macOS has a nifty little productivity boost that makes it both easy and fun to run two apps side-by-side in your Mac's native full-screen mode.

This can be indispensable when focusing on specific tasks at hand while disregarding everything else, like online research and taking notes, or blogging and writing, or reading news while keeping tabs on your Twitter feed and so forth.

This mode, called Split View, is normally activated by dragging an app to either side of the screen by its window's upper left green button, and then choosing another app to fit the other half of the screen.

But the multi-step process is often a tad confusing for novice users, especially those accustomed to Windows 7's effortless window snapping. Thankfully, your Mac supports creating Split Views right within Mission Control, which in macOS has been tidied up and made clearer and more obvious.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to go, and exit, Split View just by dragging app windows inside your Mac's Mission Control.

Chrome picks up iPad split-screen multitasking support in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 22, 2015

Google today pushed a small update to its Chrome mobile browser in the App Store. The new edition, officially bumped to version number 46.0.2490.73, brings support for iOS 9's new Split View multitasking mode on the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro.

Moreover, Slide Over multitasking view and Picture-in-Picture video mode are supported in this Chrome edition as well. These are certainly welcomed additions for those of you who do a lot of research online as you can now browse the web with Chrome and run another app like Notes side-by-side.

Google Translate gains Split View multitasking

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 14, 2015

Google's native translator app in the App Store has received a productivity-focused update earlier this morning. The free of charge software was bumped to version 4.2 and the big news in this edition is support for iOS 9's side-by-side Split View multitasking mode on supported devices like the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 and the upcoming iPad Pro.

In addition to Split View multitasking, Google Translate 4.2 for iOS has picked up camera translation from German and English to Arabic, joining other language packs.

Hands-on with Multiplexer, the six-in-one multitasking tweak

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Today, I got my first chance to try out Multiplexer, the highly anticipated upcoming multitasking tweak from Elijah Frederickson and Andrew Abosh, that's currently setting the jailbreak community ablaze.

Multiplexer can rightly be labeled as an "ultimate multitasking tweak", because it basically combines six multitasking-oriented jailbreak tweaks into one.

The tweak blends traditional side-by-side multitasking options along with enhanced backgrounding, and multiple desktops. But all of that is just the tip of the iceberg. Step inside as we give you the first hands-on look at Multiplexer on video.

Multify jailbreak tweak updated for iOS 8.4 with new features

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Multify—one of the most impressive multitasking jailbreak tweaks that we've seen thus far—is now available for jailbreakers running iOS 8.3 and iOS 8.4. Up until now, the tweak wasn't compatible with the latest jailbroken firmware, but that has now been remedied.

We reviewed the original version of Multify back in March, and were super-impressed by what it brought to the table. Now, jailbreakers who perhaps haven't had a chance to take the tweak for a spin get to do so.

Watchdog adds true app backgrounding to jailbroken iOS devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 14, 2015

Back in the day, there was a jailbreak tweak called Backgrounder, which brought true app backgrounding to users before iOS even had native multitasking. That tweak no longer works for the latest firmware, but a new tweak called Watchdog aims to make true app backgrounding available today on iOS 8.

Watchdog is a beta tweak that's available via developer Allan Kerr's third-party repo. In this post, I'll show you how you can get Watchdog on your jailbroken device, and share a few use case scenarios.

‘Mirmir’ multitasking tweak for iOS 8.4 now available on Cydia

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Yesterday, we brought you a full review of a hot new jailbreak tweak called Mirmir (formerly Mimir). This is a new tweak that allows you to have true side-by-side windowed multitasking on jailbroken iPhones and iPads running iOS 8.3 or iOS 8.4.

If you'd like to try Mirmir, you can get it today for $3.99 on Cydia's BigBoss repo. Watch our video review in this post if you'd like more info before you buy.

Mimir: a tweak for running multiple apps at the same time on iOS 8.3 and 8.4

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Mirmir (formerly Mimir) is a new jailbreak tweak by Ethan Arbuckle and Liam Thynne, which will allow you to run multiple apps at the same time on your iPhone or iPad. I was able to run four apps side-by-side-by-side-by-side with minimal slowdown on my iPad Air 2. It was quite impressive.

Mirmir uses its own built in gesture system for invocation, but it works with Activator as well. If you're looking for a true-multitasking tweak for iOS 8, then look no further. Watch our full video walkthrough for all of the juicy details.

New report details 12″ iPad with dual-app viewing mode and iOS 9 multi-user support

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

Apple is developing not one, but two new twelve-inch iPad models, codenamed “J98” and “J99”. Also, the firm's doubled down on advancing productivity aspects of iOS with a much-needed dual-app multitasking mode and support for multiple users in iOS 9, a report Thursday by 9to5Mac alleged.

The same publication originally claimed side-by-side multitasking would debut in iOS 8 with the iPad Air back in 2014 so take today's story with a grain of salt.

“Sources now say that Apple plans to show off the side-by-side feature for iOS 9 using currently available iPad models,” the article states.

Split-screen multitasking should be formally announced at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month, with multi-user support reportedly slated to arrive later this year alongside new iPads.

Multitasking on Apple Watch and other user interface shortcuts you should memorize

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 15, 2015

Apple's Watch features a handy “multitasking” shortcut that Apple did not detail publicly. According to a Reddit user who provided an animated GIF of the feature in action, double-tapping the device's Digital Crown switches you between your two most recently opened apps.

Although it's unclear yet if the Watch has true multitasking capability found on the iPhone and iPad, this shortcut is a great time-saver that makes it easy not only to jump between actions if you are multitasking, but also to go back to the Watch face if you’ve just been in one app.