Steve Stroughton Smith, the well known iOS developer today confirmed what was already suspected for quite some time. Apple’s beta release of iOS 8 includes code that will allow users to run applications in a split screen configuration. The implementation is expected to allow users to easily move data from one app to the other.
In a configuration not entirely unlike what is already available on Windows RT and Windows 8.1, the code suggests that applications will be able to switch between 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 of the screen size.
So… just in case there was any doubt left… iOS 8’s SpringBoard has code to run two apps side-by-side. 1/4 size, 1/2 size, or 3/4 size
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) June 9, 2014
Running the beta code from the Springboard however currently displays a gray screen and crashes the software. It is believed split screen multitasking and a few other features were not ready in time for the public demo of iOS 8 and were pushed back to be possibly released as part of a later release. It would not be unlike Apple to withhold information about the feature if it intends to talk about it during the next generation iPad launch either.
With a wide range of productivity related applications including Microsoft’s Office suite now available on the iPad, the addition of multitasking reminiscent of desktop operating systems should help push tablet adoption even further. Would you like to have deeper multitasking included on the iPad or do you prefer the simpler single app in the front user experience of iOS? Let us know in the comments.