Apple came out to be considerate about two biggest flaws of the operating system that includes dependence on notifications and dependence on a computer, via release of iOS 5. Some provisionary steps have also been taken in order to improve its multi tasking capabilities. This includes addition of four and five-finger multi tasking gestures to the iPad 2. This has made easy for users to switch between apps and get to the Home screen of the device.
Since Apple first introduced multi tasking gestures on first generation iPad, I’ve been using them as developer beta in iOS 4.3. Apple initially took this feature away from iOS however now it has come back publically available and is the first update to iOS and thus I rushed to update my iPad too.
It makes sense to use four or five fingers to get to the Home screen or to bring multitasking bar, or sidebars to switch between apps on the iPad’s large screen. However if compared to iPhone, it doesn’t sounds that practical and may end up as trouble.
For this conundrum that utilizes an edge-based gesture, UI designer Max Rudberg has come up with a solution. The video below shows the application of bringing up the multitasking bar with a single finger. It tends to be simple and makes complete sense for Apple too to add it to their OS.
Moving ahead, it would be awesome application addition in order to move from one application to another you can swipe in from the left to right edge, just like you do horizontal swipe with four finger gesture on the iPad. Now u need to put less effort in switching between your browser or text editor, notes, email clients etc.
It’s not the first time when apple has re fixed existing gestures to make them functional using smaller surfaces or few fingers, if this addition comes in and is applied. To make them work with the Magic Mouse, company later reduced the four finger multi tasking gesture to one-and-two finger gesture.
Third party apps which already use edge-based gestures from their features will have a clash with this new gesture like the multitasking gesture on the iPad. In our opinion, it would be wise enough to pay a tiny price to have to use other ways to access those features on affected apps because the overall benefit to the system seem to be so significant.
To me it doesn’t apply much using all of the Home buttons features. It’s less likely that I’ll double-press Home button to bring up media controls when the device is locked etc.
Rudberg also seems to point out the same aspect that is the Home Button on iOS devices is over burdened with functions and thus becomes less responsive within the passage of time due to reasons such as wear and tear because of constant use! These gestures will not completely eliminate but will reduce one’s use of that button.
It is also suggested by Rudberg that the features could be optional, provided with a preference for users to either turn them on or off in the Settings app such as the present multitasking gesture on the iPad. He’s filed the request for this feature at Apple and hopefully it would be added in the future iOS version as a option.
(via thenextweb)
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