Disable Multitasking?

Oh, I agree with you on pretty much on all counts. Except for the +"What you and several others fail to see is that the way things work wasn't changed as much as you think it was."+ Yes, the only difference is the few extra steps to fully quit from an app. As annoying as it is, I'm forced to get used to it (but do we really need to resort to that? I've never had to DEAL with a problem when it comes to Apple). It's taking some time.

What my beef is, when I first got my 3GS, I've had no issues with it whatsoever. Literally. Never crashed, never had to do a hard reboot, battery was great (using any apps), reception good. I don't make a lot of calls, but when I did, I think I only had about a couple of dropped calls. That was almost a year before the upgrade. But since the upgrade to iOS4, my phone has crashed on me several times, it's rebooted on it's own about 4 times, battery drains quicker (extremely quick with certain apps running, and even without those apps it still drains a little quicker than it used to, that's quicker than normal battery degredation over time), and in the last few weeks some apps seem to be launching slower or would just quit on me. All that in just a matter of less than 2 months. Now add the fact that many people have experienced the same issues right after the upgrade to iOS 4. As improved as 4.0 is with certain features, it also has made 3GS phones less efficient in other areas. Again, I still believe iOS 4 was really designed for the iPhone 4 in mind. I think Apple was quick to jump on iOS 4, just like they were with the antenna design of the iPhone 4. I for one would have been glad to wait for them to take longer releasing it, just as long as they ironed out all the kinks. Which includes compatibility and stability on the iPhone 3GS.

So in comparison, usage wise, it has changed quite a bit. It's kinda like what PC users were feeling when they switched from Windows XP to Vista. The phone works fine, when it's working. But being used to Apple's user friendly products, this is extremely frustrating. Especially when just a couple of months ago, my phone was flawless. Everyone's frustrations are completely justified. We paid top dollars for a phone that was reliable, very simple to use, that can go on all day. iOS4 has just rendered the phone less user friendly. I don't know about anyone else, but when I upgrade, I expect the phone to work better than it did before, not worse. I don't expect to be having to find workarounds for issues, or having to DEAL with certain issues.

I'm absolutely sure nothing is wrong with my phone, hardware wise. It's all software. iOS 4 software. The latest 4.0.1 update wasn't geared towards issues with 3GS users. It was primarily for the iPhone 4. I was thinking about updating to 4.0.1, but there have been too many mixed reviews about the update. I'm dealing with how my phone is now, don't want to take the chance that it gets worse as some have been experiencing. If 4.1 doesn't address issues with the 3GS, it will just show that Apple is no longer supporting the older phones, and will force everyone to either deal with the issues, or upgrade to the iPhone 4. But that is speculation at this point. We'll have to see what 4.1 brings. Even now, more and more apps require you to have iOS4 for it to run, or update.

At the original poster: as already mentioned, there is no way to disable multitasking in iOS 4. Given how long it took Apple to offer this feature, I doubt you will see a way to disable it any time soon.

I'm amused by those on this thread who are defending the new multitask feature so vehemently. One person even tells us that it is "no different than multitasking on a regular computer". I beg to disagree.

On a regular computer, software closes unless you choose to multitask. But on this new iOS 4 firmware, things work backward: software multitasks unless you choose to close it.

Even in an Apple junky's wildest dreams, it's pretty difficult to call this a "good design". From just normal everyday use, I end up with a dozen or more apps lurking in the background. Those that have been updated to handle multitasking will certainly be using up some battery life needlessly. And those that do not yet multitask will nevertheless clutter the multitasking menu. There is no good reason for this, at least from a functionality perspective. I suspect the programmers encountered some engineering complication that forced them to adopt this design.

On a regular computer, software closes unless you choose to multitask. But on this new iOS 4 firmware, things work backward: software multitasks unless you choose to close it.

What?

Are you saying with an app launched on your computer that isn't performing any tasks when leaving the app - not quiting the app, just selecting another app that is already launched or not already launched, the app you just left closes or quits? If so, hogwash. Apps do no such thing unless you manually quit the app when leaving the app. If an app is not performing any tasks when leaving the app and doesn't when leaving the app placing focus on another app, the app is not quit. It remains open but isn't using any processor cycles since it isn't performing any tasks in the background. The app is in effect SUSPENDED or frozen.

It is no different with iOS4 on the iPhone in regards to 3rd party apps. All apps in the recently used apps bar are NOT running in the background or performing any tasks in the background. An app such as a game that has been updated for iOS4 to be suspended when leaving the app so when returning to the game you can begin where you left off is suspended or frozen when leaving the app - no tasks are being performed in the background since there is no reason to with such an app, and a suspended app is NOT using any processor cycles or battery since it is SUSPENDED. This is no different when leaving an app on your computer - not quitting the app and the app is not performing any tasks in the background, which is in effect SUSPENDED so when returning to the app you can begin where you left off. Why would anyone want most games or any game to keep running in the background - not suspended but running? Idiots would I guess, and as some of our finest minds have provided, "if my game doesn't run in the background and if all 3rd party apps don't run in the background, that isn't multitasking." Bonafied idiots.

An app that runs in the background when leaving the app with iOS4 - it performs a task in the background when leaving the app, it is using processor cycles and will use more battery when not connected to a power source - DUH!!!, which is the very same when leaving an app on your computer that is performing a task in the background and the same in regards to battery consumption when doing so with a portable computer when not connected to a power source.

I'm not only amused, but also somewhat amazed that so many don't get this. More sad than anything else.

Some of the habitual whiners and complainers who can't and won't be made happy regardless whined and complained about multitasking not being supported with 3rd party apps. Now that it is supported, the habitual whiners and complainers - zero contributing zeros can't help themselves.

nojapple wrote:
I'm amused by those on this thread who are defending the new multitask feature so vehemently. One person even tells us that it is "no different than multitasking on a regular computer". I beg to disagree.

On a regular computer, software closes unless you choose to multitask. But on this new iOS 4 firmware, things work backward: software multitasks unless you choose to close it.

BS - I assume you have Windows. Open the Task Manager (CTRL SHIFTESC). Click on the Processes tab. Everything listed on that tab is multitasking. Dozens if not hundreds of processes. Think that Word quits when you close it? WRONG! A piece of it remains running so it will open faster next time. Same with Outlook, Excel, web browsers, iTunes; most programs leave something behind when you think you have closed them.

In the unlikely event you have a Mac, open a Terminal window and type "ps -ef". Everything listed is a running, multitasking process.

This is true of every computer, every phone, whether simple or complex, every game console, even the computer in your car - or your washing machine.

I just noticed that my data usage went up high when I am using iPhone 4. The same apps I had on my older iPhones were carried over and I think the Multitasking is causing the high data usage because some of the apps are sending data out without me knowing.

I had placed a support call to Apple and has a scheduled appointment to go to an Apple Store for a detailed diagnostic. The reason is because I do want to know exactly what app was sending data out and what kind of data. Since I have my work email on the phone, I want to make sure that information is not being sent to some place.

I am having exactly the same problem. Data usage shoot up for no reason. I am using iPhone 4 exactly the same as i am using it with my iPhone 3G. Both are running iOS4.0. So other then MultiTask i dont know what is casing the high usage.

With 3G, i tried my best, download Apps, On to Internet, Deliberately checking all my emails with 3G instead of Wifi. I highest i ever got was 260MB on 3G. Most of the time i am with 100 - 150MB / Month.

Now with iPhone 4 i hardly do anything. Work + Home are within Wifi Range. That is nearly 60 - 80% of my time. However after three weeks of light usage i am already shooting at 365MB.

I am currently guessing, Games like Coin Dozer and Cookies Dozer are leaching bandwidth, since they constantly download Ads. I dont know if they are downloading Ads in the background as well. I am thinking they do. Since it uses Safari Engine, which does allow Multitask. Safari may also keep constant downloading or reloading due to JavaScript usage.

I do not mind Multi Tasking, But if it is sucking bandwidth like crazy which i am paying for, i hope i could disable it just like 3G.

PacBlue wrote:

luar949 wrote:
so why is everyone hating this i hope thats not the case with the iphone 4 one thing i was looking forward to was multitasking 😟

I think there is some mis-perception about what is happening with multitasking. Most apps are just frozen in suspended animation, if you will, in the background, and generally you don't have to worry about them. The OS will automatically close them if memory is needed. If any of the apps are using a background process, an icon will show what is happening (compass arrow for location services, rotating rays for internet access, sound for background audio).

I think most people are seeing all the icons on the multi-tasking bar and freaking out for no good reason.

I disagree with your post entirely. Lets say you open a weather app (Weather.com) for the first time it will load the most recent information from servers. you press the home button then 3 days later you launch the app, Guess what? the weather data from 3 days prior is showing up, now you have to press the home button, double tap the home button, press and hold the app, kill it, press the home button, then relaunch the weather app. Doesn't that sound like so much work? It does to me, Apple NEEDS to either give the option to disable Multitasking entirely, or fix the broken way they implemented it. Also SKYPE will kill your battery while in your so called "Suspended Animation".

Death to Multitask!

Lawrence Finch wrote:

nojapple wrote:
I'm amused by those on this thread who are defending the new multitask feature so vehemently. One person even tells us that it is "no different than multitasking on a regular computer". I beg to disagree.

On a regular computer, software closes unless you choose to multitask. But on this new iOS 4 firmware, things work backward: software multitasks unless you choose to close it.

BS - I assume you have Windows. Open the Task Manager (CTRL SHIFTESC). Click on the Processes tab. Everything listed on that tab is multitasking. Dozens if not hundreds of processes. Think that Word quits when you close it? WRONG! A piece of it remains running so it will open faster next time. Same with Outlook, Excel, web browsers, iTunes; most programs leave something behind when you think you have closed them.

In the unlikely event you have a Mac, open a Terminal window and type "ps -ef". Everything listed is a running, multitasking process.

This is true of every computer, every phone, whether simple or complex, every game console, even the computer in your car - or your washing machine.

I asume your dumb, In Windows you click X, the program is DEAD. In Mac you click X, the app is still running, Apple is the WRONG one here. I Click X i expect the App to DIE. Not Hold Command + Q. Multitasking Must be killed in iOS

jakthebomb wrote:
I disagree with your post entirely. Lets say you open a weather app (Weather.com) for the first time it will load the most recent information from servers. you press the home button then 3 days later you launch the app, Guess what? the weather data from 3 days prior is showing up, now you have to press the home button, double tap the home button, press and hold the app, kill it, press the home button, then relaunch the weather app.

That is a defect with your Weather app. Mine (Weatherbug) updates every time I launch it, whether it is in suspended state or not. But it didn't work right until the developer released an iOS 4 version of the app. So don't blame Apple for the developer's laziness.

Doesn't that sound like so much work? It does to me, Apple NEEDS to either give the option to disable Multitasking entirely, or fix the broken way they implemented it. Also SKYPE will kill your battery while in your so called "Suspended Animation".

Skype is one of the apps that DOES run in background, which is what it is supposed to do. if it didn't you would't get incoming calls.

It is so ironic - People complained for 3 years that the iPhone didn't support multitasking, as contrasted with Android, which does. Now that it has multitasking people say

Death to Multitask!

KF4ZMT wrote:
I think what is really needed when pressing the Home button is the option to either exit the app completely or to minimize it, thus, sending it to the background.

I agree, but still would rather KILL Multitasking altogether.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

jakthebomb wrote:
I disagree with your post entirely. Lets say you open a weather app (Weather.com) for the first time it will load the most recent information from servers. you press the home button then 3 days later you launch the app, Guess what? the weather data from 3 days prior is showing up, now you have to press the home button, double tap the home button, press and hold the app, kill it, press the home button, then relaunch the weather app.

That is a defect with your Weather app. Mine (Weatherbug) updates every time I launch it, whether it is in suspended state or not. But it didn't work right until the developer released an iOS 4 version of the app. So don't blame Apple for the developer's laziness.

Doesn't that sound like so much work? It does to me, Apple NEEDS to either give the option to disable Multitasking entirely, or fix the broken way they implemented it. Also SKYPE will kill your battery while in your so called "Suspended Animation".

Skype is one of the apps that DOES run in background, which is what it is supposed to do. if it didn't you would't get incoming calls.

It is so ironic - People complained for 3 years that the iPhone didn't support multitasking, as contrasted with Android, which does. Now that it has multitasking people say

Death to Multitask!

I NEVER WANTED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, when ever some one complained that they wanted the feature i always thought, WHY? So far multitasking has become more of a in the way than useful to me.

jakthebomb wrote:

I NEVER WANTED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, when ever some one complained that they wanted the feature i always thought, WHY? So far multitasking has become more of a in the way than useful to me.

Then why did you upgrade to iOS4?

If you are that unhappy with multi-tasking, utilize Google and find a way to go back to 3.x.

I have a 3GS, running iOS 4.1 and I do "NOT" have multitasking on my phone.

I can confirm that the battery life is as it was on 3.1.3. (1.5 - 2 days between charges) And I don't get any slow down- due to loads of open apps / running out of RAM. (Yes- I tried just leaving all the apps running and letting the OS look after memory useage- but would suffer slow-down and even one game quitting to Home Screen because (I suspect) it ran out of memory)

Draw your own conclusions from this. It is against the T&C's of these boards for me to discuss how to do this- So your next stop may be Google?

All I can say is that I "Loved" my phone under 3.1.3, then went to virtually hating it under 4.1; now back to "loving it more than ever" now I have the best of both worlds (latest OS, Folders, and NO multitasking)

Regards,
Ian

Message was edited by: IDN101

To the Board Moderators: I sincerely hope you are going to be fair about this post and not delete it. As stated above I thoroughly respect the T&C's of these boards and will NOT discuss the mechanics of disabling the multitasking here. But I think it only fair that people should be aware that they don't have to have multitasking on their OS4 devices if they "do not want it". To delete this post just so people are not informed of their options is "very" worrying to me.

Message was edited by: IDN101

Message was edited by: IDN101

Hey Modular, grow up. People in here are asking what other alternatives is there for the multitasking app, and all you're doing is calling people names. I realize you've posted 5xxx post and you're a fan boy, but you're not part of the solution and you're being part of the problem. That said...

I've been a long time Apple device user and agree, whether this multitasking works for some and doesn't for others, WE SHOULD BE GIVEN an OPTION to disable it, really, how hard is that to do for the Apple development team. I'm sick and tired of companies (not mentioning any names that begin with the letter A) that are 'force' feeding us features which THEY think we need and assume that it works 100% without problems, that's a bit pompous.

Modular747, you must have that special Steve Jobs special edition Iphone that doesn't have this "memory" issue when multiple apps are in the task menu, because I tell ya, it's draining my battery and obviously others, if this is not so, has Apple product quality lowered that we're all with these "defective" units other then yours?

Here's a tip, help people that's on this forum instead of knocking them down, cause really, you're just making an *** out of yourself. Most comments on forums posted are usually negative, very small percentage of posters come in here to say their device works exquisitely.

Agree, folders was the best thing Apple did, Multitasking, I also have it disable via other 'methods'. Using Backgrounder, at least I DECIDE what I want running in the background. 🙂