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Ideas for Multi-Tasking: Method Explained

For anyone who would love to increase our joy in using Android by allowing us to multi-task more seemlessly and dynamically, as well as help Android keep up with next-gen multi-tasking platforms such as webOS, here are some ideas:
Here is a method of graphically presenting a task switching application. Imagine presenting thumbnail screenshots of all open application, lined up in a row, being zoomed out to take up about half the normal space on the screen, to be scrolled through with a flick of a finger. Think switching between windows in Steel (after tapping the window button which displays all of your open web pages in a row).
Now, the method for bringing up these apps to be scrolled through gives room to a bit of creativity as well. One could give the option to simply press the camera button (a la Task Switcher). Another option, should one not want to monopolize the camera button, would be to long-press the trackball. still, a more creative method would be this; the user gives the handset a quick shake, and BOOM, the current app zooms out and the other apps appear in line to the left and the right. Of course, games and apps that use the accelorometer would be given priority, requiring the user to pause the game or go to the menu screen before shaking the device to bring up the app switcher (something that makes sense anyway. You wouldn't want to leave a game in progress).
Hope someone somewhere likes this idea, finds it feasable and can invest their time and programing skills (of which I have none personally) into enhancing our Android experience this way.
Thanks!

I dont know what this has to do with multi-tasking as its only a visual aspect of it... but have you ever tried holding your home button? Voila a task switcher

like there isnt 1/2 a dozen ways to do this?
download task switcher, it uses the camera button to bring up a nice visual task switcher.
of course i should point out that android by default comes with a task switcher, just hold down the home button. also you can set up quick lauch shortcuts for apps. i dont see how it can get any better then that.....

I wouldn't mind if they were to put the apps that are running on the notification bar.

rogro82 said:
I dont know what this has to do with multi-tasking as its only a visual aspect of it... but have you ever tried holding your home button? Voila a task switcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a list of the last 6 recently used programs instead of currently running programs?

jaroque i think it depends. that IS the list of the last 6 used programs, however the way android works is it closes programs only when it needs memory so a lot of times some (or all) of the programs in that list are still indeed running because they dont require too much memory.

Looking for Task switcher

I've searched all night and installed and uninstalled nearly 1/2 dozen apps and can't find what I'm looking for.
I'm trying to find a simple task manager like switcherbar.exe on WM2003 or WM2005 for my Sprint HTC Touch Pro2. I don't want icons, fancy displays etc or a bunch of other unrelated features that consume memory or processor. I just want a simple clean tool that does the job as well as it did on my Dell Axim 50v WM2005. It should reside is a small icon in the task bar and display the running applications when I tap on it. I tap the app to change to it, or tap end app to close it.
Yes I know it's boring, but it's efficient, stable, and takes virtually no memory.
I've tried Magic Button, and pBar (the closest so far) but can't find anything that actually as simple and intuitive as the old switcher bar. I've even tried copying the file from my dell to no avail.
Thanks in advance.

wktask ... also try ae button plus and set a hard key to alt-tab

On my blueangel i have the windows media player button set to launch the default task manager. Not pretty by any means, but it works well and is fairly fast after it is loaded into memory

switcherbar.exe replacement.
wktask has an button for each running program and also changes the behavior of the X button. If I have more than a few programs running it obliterates the icons on my task bar blocking the icons there (signal strength, bluetooth etc). If I reduce the size of the buttons enough then their not finger friendly at all.
I'm trying to find a simple replacement that's a simple icon where I tap it to see the list of running programs with the option to close the active program or all programs like switcherbar.exe did. I don't want program launchers and I really don't want to remap my buttons. I like them the way they are. Actually my phone only allows me to remap my talk button anyhow.
If I could get switcherbar.exe to work on my Touch Pro2 I would be absolutely thrilled!
Maybe I named the topic of this thread wrong. I should have called it "Looking for a switcherbar.exe replacement".
I guess I'm looking for something too simple in a world where everyone like bells and whistles.

I use Wisbar Advance, it shows icons of running programs right on the taskbar, so I use my Touch HD like it's a desktop PC . And I also use Alt-tab from SPB Pocket Plus mapped to HW button not exactly what you described (and not freeware), but it's the best multitasking experience I've ever had

AE Button has a nice task switcher; assign a button to it, and you're good to go. It doesn't alter the function of the 'x' button or the task bar. You need to pony up 7 bucks, though.

I bought SPB pocket plus a while back (then later switched to something else). I copied out the standalone alt-tab.exe program that installs with the package. I just made a shortcut to this executable and then assigned a button. Worked fine even after uninstalling pocket plus. It doesn't reside in memory, it only functions when called upon.

I always liked the task manger in Homescreen Plus Plus.

I wish there was a way to put a small icon up on the task bar at the top of the screen linking to the HTC task manager. Very finger friendly, but not very accessible. You have to leave your program and go launch it. Kinda defeats the point of a task manager.
In the mean time I think I've finally found a program that I can use. It's called HandySwitcher. The icons are a bit small and it's not the most finger friendly app out there, but it's always available, takes little memory, doesn't require button remapping to function and it just works. Maybe some day a more finger friendly program like that will be made. A link on the top bar to the HTC task manager or something similar for those that don't have a HTC would be perfect.
Thanks for the input.

AppSwipe Task Switcher
Came across this in the market. Its is free and has the ability to add favorites for faster accessing.
h$$p://dl.dropbox.com/u/17878354/snap20110119_163134.png
sorry can't post links yet.

[REQUEST] Rollerball Launcher

I use the app task switcher to seamlessly switch between my apps to take advantage of androids amazing multitasking, however being a N1 user (obviosly) i cannot set any shortcuts using keys such as holding down Search+5 etc.
Which brings me to the point of this thread, could anyone of you amazing devs out there build an app (X) that functions like so;
1. Launch the app X and assign ANY installed application to the rollerball
2. Long press on the rollerball on any screen e.g. while browsing
3. The assigned application launches and comes to the forground e.g. task switcher
I would do this myself but i have NO idea how to do anything like this. But being very fond of the xda community i am hoping someone out their can help me out. Please PM me if you think you can help.
Thanks

bratfink said:
I use the app task switcher to seamlessly switch between my apps to take advantage of androids amazing multitasking, however being a N1 user (obviosly) i cannot set any shortcuts using keys such as holding down Search+5 etc.
Which brings me to the point of this thread, could anyone of you amazing devs out there build an app (X) that functions like so;
1. Launch the app X and assign ANY installed application to the rollerball
2. Long press on the rollerball on any screen e.g. while browsing
3. The assigned application launches and comes to the forground e.g. task switcher
I would do this myself but i have NO idea how to do anything like this. But being very fond of the xda community i am hoping someone out their can help me out. Please PM me if you think you can help.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you're describing sounds like what happens when you hold down or long press the home button

Yes..
Yes what i am describing does sound like what happens when you press on the home button however i do not intend for the 'Rollerball Launcher' to be used with just task managers if it can launch 'any installed application' as i mentioned in the OP it could be used as e.g. a dedicatd camera button, which i am sure people would find very useful. It seems to me although looking very nice the rollerball lacks function. Dont you agree?

i use it for selecting fine text and to take the picture with the camera.
I suppose some people might like to be able to program a special function to it though.

Concept multitasking wp7

Hello everyone,
I went recently to a device and more specifically to a wp7 7 omnia,
I created this video concept on the management of a multitasking wp7 keeping the style of the loose tiles without too many effects, such as MS has created a minimalist.
It works like this:
holding down the "back" button for 1-2 seconds, under a bar will appear with your open applications represented with the same tiles, dragging down the application quits, while clicking on it opens the'applicazione selected.
What do you think?

I like the idea of dragging down to close the program

Just very nice concept, yes.

Thats very good!
Multitasking (or should I say 'appswitching') on iOS is, imo, worse than that on Android and winmo.
On iOS, hate how you have to first double click the home button, then hold on one of the background-running apps on the taskbar until it gives you the option to close it. I liked iOS before that implememntation, because the 'taskbar' just easily gets filled up with apps.
On Winmo, once you tap the taskbar drop down menu and the list of background running apps appear, you have an x right next to it already. Alot more efficient.

Nice Concept :] I would like that too

Too much like iOS. I am sure MS can come up with the nicer way.

digger1985 said:
Too much like iOS. I am sure MS can come up with the nicer way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, It is good, it doesn't interrupt your work and it's easy to use.

spippo said:
Hello everyone,
I went recently to a device and more specifically to a wp7 7 omnia,
I created this video concept on the management of a multitasking wp7 keeping the style of the loose tiles without too many effects, such as MS has created a minimalist.
It works like this:
holding down the "back" button for 1-2 seconds, under a bar will appear with your open applications represented with the same tiles, dragging down the application quits, while clicking on it opens the'applicazione selected.
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would be perfect if M$ do it like This way propose it to Redmond company

hd2leo_fusion said:
it would be perfect if M$ do it like This way propose it to Redmond company
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? M$? 1995 called and want their meme back!!

As someone in the UI design field, non obvious actions are actually bad design. Holding down a button for 2 seconds is not obvious, a simpler more intuitive solution would be to have an arrow (or icon) at the bottom to do the same.
Like the bars at the bottom tho, and the dragging down thing (also non obvious)

pillsburydoughman said:
As someone in the UI design field, non obvious actions are actually bad design. Holding down a button for 2 seconds is not obvious, a simpler more intuitive solution would be to have an arrow (or icon) at the bottom to do the same.
Like the bars at the bottom tho, and the dragging down thing (also non obvious)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so holding down the home button to voice command is also bad design???
You would prefer more icons on screen to do what a hard button can accomplish?

thank you all!
If you give the other suggestions I can make another video concept and maybe send it to Microsoft like an idea! What do you think?

I looks very nice, but the icons are too big.

pillsburydoughman said:
As someone in the UI design field, non obvious actions are actually bad design. Holding down a button for 2 seconds is not obvious, a simpler more intuitive solution would be to have an arrow (or icon) at the bottom to do the same.
Like the bars at the bottom tho, and the dragging down thing (also non obvious)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
holding down the start key for voice controls isn't obvious to users as well...unless they mistakingly do it, or read the booklet! Its fine! Humans are smarter than you think.

Seriously, this is almost exactly how iOS's appswitching works. And it's not a bad thing.
But probably Microsoft wouldn't use that layout for obviously reasons.
Android switcher sux. I would like to see something as easy as iOS. This one is nice, though smaller icons would be better

What a nonsense. Don't forget in WP7 navigation looks like this:
- Open software1
- Navigate to software page1.
- Navigate to software page2.
- Press Win
- Open software2
- Navigate to software page1.
So, after last step, let's assume i switch app to software1, then press back 2 times, and after that if i press back one more time, where i will go?

In Android, if you press 'Back' several times it just takes you to Home launcher. Do the same here.

Good
my congratulations to spippo, this is the first video that I see on a WP7 multitaskink...
I hope that Microsoft may look and begin to think on it!!!!

I love your idea but i think, that multi tasking should look like the Zune HD's pin/history section where you swipe to the right and that pane come up.

Barbbachello said:
I like the idea of dragging down to close the program
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works in WebOS and Blackberry Tablet OS because those systems use a gesture to "minimize" the application to a card that can be swiped up to be closed. WP7 doesn't do this. Apps are full screen. If I'm in Twitter, 50 results down in my feed; you want me to go all the way to the top so that I can drag the program down to close it? How exactly will I drag this program down to close it? What's wrong with an X in the upper right corner to close it, or simply backing out of it?
I think pre-emptive Multitasking has its usage, especially for stock applications. But I think the need for them in third party applications is limited to some pretty obvious use cases and Microsoft should be uber strict when it comes to allowing applications to do it.
Tombstoning + Push Notifications should be the de facto standard for third party applications, IMO.

[Q] ICS multitasking invoker?

Hi, is there an app that would creat a tapable icon on your homescreen which could be used to invoke the multitasking overlay? something like statusbar expander but instead of statusbar it would invoke the multitasking. Is there anything like this out there?

May I ask why? I thought tap and holding the home button was already simple enough and easier to use

Yeah, I don't understand why you would want to do this :\
You want an action icon on your homescreen that opens the recent apps list?

I understand why you'd want that.
I almost never use the multi-tasking feature. Using the home button it takes too long to open to be really useful.
If there was an onscreen button as on the Nexus, I'd probably use it more often.
However, the screen of the S is too small for such a bar.
Ideally I'd love to open the multitasking menu by double tapping the home button. Would this be possible?

you can use search key instead..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1448576

Great! Just what I need. Thanks