In our earlier article we showed how to Multi-Task on your iPhone iOS 3.
However, since the launch of iOS 4 & the latest iOS 5, Apple has introduced in-built support for multi-tasking in iPhones. However, Apple’s multi-tasking, is not 100% true multi-tasking. In case of TRUE multi-tasking, the code for each app is held individually in system memory, and the operating system serves as a regulator, deciding which apps get higher or lower system resources. The reason is iPhone doesn’t have enough built-in memory for true multi-tasking. If it held multiple apps actually running in memory even in the background, the iPhone would slowdown over time, battery would bleed profusely, and your beloved iPhone would eventually shut-down.
In case of iOS 4 & 5 the iPhone pauses the active running apps while another app takes foreground. Then, when you switch to a paused app, it resumes exactly where it was. What’s the advantage you ask? The apps do not start from scratch & come alive instantly without having to restart.
So, How do you “multi-task” on an iPhone?
In case of iOS 4 Apple has introduced a double-press toggle. Whenever you are in an app, simply press the Home Twice in quick succession. Double-tapping brings up a little menu tray. This tray houses small icons of apps that have been sent to the background. Clicking any of the apps will bring it to the foreground & send the currently active app to the background. Simple ain’t it!
In case of iOS 5, Apple has further refined the technique to include a Task-Manager Page which has “Windowed” frames of “running” apps.
As usual, Cydia has something better!
Labeled as MultiFl0W, the app is compatible with iOS 4 & 3. The downside is it is available at USD 4.99. Ironically, the Multifl0W app requires Backgrounder [Free] to work!
Multiflow has two different modes (1) Cards mode (2) Expose mode. In Cards mode, one can view all open apps on a single screen, which means all open apps can be easily switched and in Expose mode one can even re-arrange tabs.
MultiFl0w 2.1.6-1 is available for download at Cydia App Store.
iPhone / iPod touch downloads