application switcher

[OmariJames]

One of my major qualms with the iPhone , especially since 2.0, is the way we switch between applications.

If I'm in Safari , as I am right now, and I would like to check my SMS , I would first have to press the home button , tap SMS , check and maybe send out a few message , press the home screen and finally tap Safari.

Is it me or does that seem a bit convoluted. I wouldn't like to have to go back into the home screen to access an app, Especially if I was just using it recently.

I think apple should introduce an application switcher of some sort or a " recent app " function as I have mentioned in a topic about a back button.

I just wanted to know how you guys felt about that. Any ideas ?

 

[Jellotime91]

I have wanted a back button for sooo long!!! The thing is it would be very hard for Apple to implement without any new physical controls unfortunately.

There just isn't any room on the screen for something to be there constantly.

We have seen the jailbreak community use swiping across the status bar and swiping down from the status bar for certain settings and twitter applications, maybe Apple could implement something similar to that? Like swiping down would give an expose/safari tab-view, while swiping across would switch to the most recently used app?

 

[Microcosmos]

Ewww no! I like the home then app selection just fine, another hardware button would just clutter things up, especially since every developer would make their own use of it to do something different! As for the swiping method, most apps already have a function applied to swiping so that wouldn't work too well. I would however love to be able to categorize my apps and also to launch my favorite app within each category with a single tap, I don't know if jailbreakers can do this or not?

 

[SuperTrouper]

It seems to me you're looking for an App you could press a button and access, and then flip to another app?

If only there was a button on the device, that you could press, it comes up with a list of apps, or maybe icons of apps, and you press the icon for the app you want.....wait a minute.....

In all seriousness though, if you think of the home screen as your app switcher it seems an elegant enough solution to me. How would you change to say SMS, as in your example, with fewer button presses?

 

[OmariJames]

Last_Starfighter ,

I think what Jellotime91 said about swiping across the status would be satisfying for me personally.

However , when I do think about it , the home screen , is a great application switcher. You do have a great point. I guess I took it for granted.

 

[Alli]

Even something simple like hold the home button to return to the previous app.

 

[Brickman]

Even something simple like hold the home button to return to the previous app.

Problem is that is already taken by "return to home screen".

Maybe they could implement something like the Pre does with "Cards" <which they stole from Safari Tabs BTW>

Safari already does this action for web pages. Why not do it for Apps?

 

[OmariJames]

Brickman

Actually , the hold is taken by " force quit ". =]

 

[Microcosmos]

Problem is that is already taken by "return to home screen".

Maybe they could implement something like the Pre does with "Cards" <which they stole from Safari Tabs BTW>

Safari already does this action for web pages. Why not do it for Apps?

Brickman

Actually , the hold is taken by " force quit ". =]

Yeah Brickman, you're thinking of double-tapping the home button!

 

[Brickman]

Yeah Brickman, you're thinking of double-tapping the home button!

You're right!!.... Brain Cramp.... Seems to be happening a lot lately!?

So you may be on to something after all Alli!