Since its arrival in 2007, iOS has been a one-window-at-a-time operating system. Apps have always run full-screen, even when the iPad launched with its larger canvas. Since then, we have seen the introduction of split-screen multitasking with iOS 9, and that is the closest we have come to any sort of window management on iOS.
The subject of window management on iPads, in particular, is one that has kept cropping up for a good while now, and developer Steve Troughton-Smith has now taken matters into his own hands by showing off a proof-of-concept video of what he calls iOS window management. It looks a little too much like a screen with some Mac OS X apps running in an iPad emulator for our liking, but I have no doubt whatsoever that such a thing would prove hugely popular amongst a certain subset of people.
Even with the new iPad Pro’s massive screen, I personally don’t see Apple going for something along the lines of traditional window management like this concept shows, with iOS 9’s split-screen offerings likely to make up a big chunk of the iOS multitasking we are doing over the coming years.
Having multiple windows open on one screen and then having them moveable and resizable on the fly isn’t suited to a touchscreen as far as I’m concerned, even if an Apple Pencil is used. I’d much rather iPads keep working like iPads rather than like a Mac. After all, if I wanted to use a Mac, that’s exactly what I’d do.
Let iPads be iPads, that’s what I say.
Check Steve Troughton-Smith’s concept video out for yourselves below and make your own judgements.
Feature complete? iOS window manager proof of concept. Just a UIWindow subclass pic.twitter.com/fT0oFahOSM
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) December 23, 2015
Here’s one more by the developer showcasing how multiple windows would appear with iOS 9’s new Split View multitasking in play.
(Source: @stroughtonsmith [Twitter])
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- iPad Air 3 Release Date Set For March 2016, Won’t Feature 3D Touch
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