I’m a big-screen cellphone advocate. Whereas I just like the consolation of holding a compact cellphone (such because the Samsung Galaxy S23 with a 6.1-inch show), I choose utilizing gadgets just like the Galaxy S23 Extremely, Oppo Discover X6 Professional, Xiaomi 13 Professional, and iPhone 14 Professional Max.
Most of those telephones permit me to profit from their huge display with the function set accessible for productiveness – however not iOS. I hoped that might change with iOS 17 … nevertheless it didn’t. And it’s as if iPhone’s personal working system is limiting it.
True multitasking on iPhones stays a dream
Since shifting to the iPhone in 2021, the one factor that I’ve missed probably the most is easy productiveness. With Android, you get options like pop-up home windows, multiwindow, and configuring new emails concurrently whereas taking a look at earlier conversations in Gmail. None of that’s accessible on iOS. This has been a significant hindrance for me in being productive on my cellphone whereas I’m touring or performing researching for work. As I lately talked about in my iPhone 15 Professional Max wishlist story, multitasking on iPhones is on high of my checklist of requested options from Apple.
Let’s begin with pop-up window help — aka with the ability to run an app in a small window over one thing else. It’s accessible on Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, Realme, and Vivo gadgets. As a freelancer working for publications that pay in a special forex, there are a variety of events once I must have the calculator app at my fingertips whereas I’m studying an e mail.
It’s a lot simpler on Android to calculate and get issues accomplished inside seconds, whereas on the iPhone, I’ve to leap between apps. It may be accomplished, however isn’t as pure; it introduces friction into the consumer expertise. And this is only one occasion the place I discover it extraordinarily helpful.
The identical story goes for multiwindow help. Most Android telephones permit you to run two apps in your cellphone. It’s accessible from the smallest to the largest shows accessible on Android smartphones. The function is useful once I’m researching for a narrative.
For example, if I’m on Chrome and discover a hyperlink that might be useful to the story I’m engaged on, I can word down the factors on Google Preserve concurrently. I prefer to scroll Twitter on the backside whereas I’m watching a YouTube video on 1/3 of the show. There are events once I discover myself elevating invoices from my cellphone whereas operating Google Sheets on the backside and Docs on the high. And this isn’t a flagship function. I can carry out these duties on funds Android telephones as nicely.
Compared, iOS has picture-in-picture help to have a video participant on high of one other app, nevertheless it’s not the identical. It isn’t as intuitive as interacting with two apps on the similar time. It’s a pity that iPhones, regardless of having probably the most highly effective processors on any smartphone for years, nonetheless aren’t in a position to do fundamental multitasking.
Apple is attempting to do one thing totally different with Dynamic Island. Whereas I’ve had my doubts about it, the function has immensely improved. I really like that I can see the ETA for my meals or Uber at a look. However in contrast to multiwindow and pop-up home windows, it doesn’t permit me to be in two apps concurrently and carry out duties in them. It’s a great addition, however Apple isn’t there but for productiveness on iPhones.
Then there are limitations like not with the ability to sort a brand new e mail whereas glancing over the earlier dialog in Gmail. It’s a really particular use case and won’t be helpful to many, however as somebody who’s in touch with editors for pitches, it’s an essential function for me. Android lets me sort a brand new e mail whereas wanting on the earlier conversations for context or copy and pasting textual content.
Apple, please make my iPhone extra helpful
I hope sometime Apple will give me the multitasking options I’ve been wishing for since iOS 15. The processors are greater than able to dealing with a number of apps operating concurrently. It’s the one function I want iPhones would borrow from Android, and I’m fairly certain it’ll be appreciated by many.
However as of now, it’s as if iPhones should not constructed for use for productiveness. At the least, that’s how it’s for me. However I’m hopeful that possibly issues will change with iOS 18.
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