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#REDIRECT [[IOS#Multitasking]]
On [[iOS]], '''multitasking''' is a feature available in [[iOS 4]] or later that allows multiple [[mobile app|applications]] to run and perform tasks at the same time.
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Multitasking was first released in June 2010 along with the release of [[iOS 4.0]].<ref name=HuffPost1>{{cite web|title=iOS 4 iPhone Update RELEASED: A Guide To iOS 4|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/21/ios-4-iphone-update-relea_n_619343.html|publisher=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=April 13, 2013|date=June 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name=PCMag1>{{cite web|last=Albanesius|first=Chloe|title=Apple iPhone iOS 4 Software Update Expected Monday|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365351,00.asp|publisher=[[PC Mag]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 21, 2010}}</ref> Only certain devices—[[iPhone 4]], [[iPhone 3GS]], and [[iPod Touch]] 3rd generation—were able to use multitasking.<ref name=ArsTechnica1>{{cite web|last=Cheng|first=Jacqui|title=Ars reviews iOS 4: what’s new, notable, and what needs work|url=http://arstechnica.com/apple/2010/06/ars-reviews-ios-4-whats-new-and-notable/|publisher=[[Ars Technica]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 21, 2010}}</ref> The [[iPad]] did not get multitasking until the release of [[iOS 4.2]] in November 2010.<ref name=TheRegister1>{{cite web|last=Ray|first=Bill|title=iOS 4.2 multi-tasking comes to the iPad|url=http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/ipad-ios42/|publisher=[[The Register]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=November 22, 2010}}</ref> Currently, multitasking is supported on iPhone 3GS or newer, iPod Touch 3rd generation or newer, and all iPad models.<ref name=Apple1>http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4211</ref>
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==Features==
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===Fast app switching===
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[[File:iOS Multitasking Bar.png|right|The multitasking bar on iOS 4|thumb]]
Fast app switching allows apps to pause and resume themselves quickly and easily change to other apps.<ref name=AnandTech1>{{cite web|last=Shimpi|first=Anand|title=Apple's iOS 4 Explored|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/3779/apples-ios-4-explored/2|publisher=[[AnandTech]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 22, 2010}}</ref>An app that is on the screen is considered "running", while an app that is not on screen but is still in memory is considered "suspended".<ref name=PCWorld1>{{cite web|last=Perenson|first=Melissa|title=Multitasking on Apple's iPhone 4: How Does It Work?|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/198296/iphone_4_multitasking.html|publisher=[[PCWorld]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 8, 2010}}</ref> All apps that are built with iOS 4 SDK support fast app switching if running on iOS 4 and a compatible device.<ref name=AppleDev1>https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#releasenotes/General/WhatsNewIniOS/Articles/iPhoneOS4.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40009559-SW1</ref> Users can utilize fast app switching by activating the multitasking bar, which can be displayed by double-tapping the home button.<ref name=PCWorld1 /><ref name=ArsTechnica1 />
===Task completion===
Task completion allows apps to continue a certain task after the app has been suspended.<ref name=MacWorld1>{{cite web|last=Snell|first=Jason|title=Inside iPhone 4.0's multitasking|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1150496/multitasking_iphone.html|publisher=[[MacWorld]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=April 8, 2010}}</ref><ref name=CNet1>{{cite web|title=Apple iPhone 4|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/iphone-4-review|publisher=[[CNet]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 23, 2010}}</ref> As of iOS 4.0, apps can request up to ten minutes to complete a task in the background.<ref name=iLounge1>{{cite web|last=Hollington|first=Jesse|title=Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iOS 4|url=http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-features-of-ios-4/|publisher=[[iLounge]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 21, 2010}}</ref>
===Running in the background===
Apps on iOS 4.0 or later can run in the background by using the following three [[API]]s:<ref name=PCWorld2>{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Jared|title=Multitasking With iOS 4 is Horrible: Apple Blew It|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/199528/Multitasking_With_iOS_4_is_Horrible_Apple_Blew_It.html|publisher=[[PCWorld]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=June 22, 2010}}</ref><ref name=Gizmodo1>{{cite web|last=Diaz|first=Jesus|title=How Multitasking Works in the New iPhone OS 4.0|url=http://gizmodo.com/5512656/how-multitasking-works-in-the-new-iphone-os-40|publisher=[[Gizmodo]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=April 8, 2010}}</ref>
* Audio—plays audio
* Location—uses ___location services
* VOIP—makes [[VOIP]] calls
In [[iOS 5.0]] or later, there are an additional two APIs that can be used:<ref name=MacWorld2>{{cite web|last=Speirs|first=Fraser|title=How iOS multitasking really works|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1164616/how_ios_multitasking_really_works.html|publisher=[[MacWorld]]|accessdate=April 14, 2013|date=January 4, 2012}}</ref>
* Newsstand—downloads content for [[Newsstand (application)|Newsstand]]
* External accessory—interacts with an external accessory
==See also==
* [[Computer multitasking]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
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