*** Google I/O 2012 ***

Current time in Los Angeles

Monday, June 25, 2012 at 1:21:33 PM PDT

Seems like I am right then, I hate working out +- hours.
 
Not including an SD card expansion slot is ridiculous. They are going to lose out on sales for that reason alone. Who do they think they are? Apple?

I'll tell you what I want, better multitasking. I doubt I'll get it in 4.1 though. It's insane that I have a quad core device and I can't properly multitask due to the limitation of the OS. For instance I want to be able minimise the browser and still be be able to hear audio being played! Not too much to ask really.
 
2StepSteve said:
Not including an SD card expansion slot is ridiculous. They are going to lose out on sales for that reason alone.
Click to expand...

Agreed, on a tablet space is arguably more important than on a phone.

I was going to pick one up in the US later this year if it was any good, we will have to see now.
 
2StepSteve said:
I'll tell you what I want, better multitasking. I doubt I'll get it in 4.1 though. It's insane that I have a quad core device and I can't properly multitask due to the limitation of the OS. For instance I want to be able minimise the browser and still be be able to hear audio being played! Not too much to ask really.
Click to expand...

Don't think that's a limitation of Android? You could run a browser/plugin as a background service right?

I'm just confused by the extremely complicated multitasking UI, how do you stop something from running again? ...and does your method of choice really stop a process or service?

  • Press the home button?
  • Press back until you hit the home screen?
  • Use the recent app/multitasking menu to close the app?
  • Use the In-App exit button if it has one?
  • Use the app manager and stop the running process?
  • Use the app manager and force close the app?
  • Use a 3rd party task manager/killer to stop the app?

:confused:
 
sarge78 said:
Don't think that's a limitation of Android? You could run a browser/plugin as a background service right?

I'm just confused by the extremely complicated multitasking UI, how do you stop something from running again? ...and does your method of choice really stop a process or service?

  • Press the home button?
  • Press back until you hit the home screen?
  • Use the recent app/multitasking menu to close the app?
  • Use the In-App exit button if it has one?
  • Use the app manager and stop the running process?
  • Use the app manager and force close the app?
  • Use a 3rd party task manager/killer to stop the app?

:confused:
Click to expand...

There is only one browser that I am aware of that has been reported to still process flash/audio when it is sent to the background, however it doesn't work for me. I'd also much rather use the browser that I prefer all of the time (Quick ICS Browser).

I believe it's an OS limitation, switching apps does not let the previous app continue running, off screen. Switch to another app most apps will pause, freeze, or want to reload. When switching apps theOS will drop the app like it's hot. The OS doesn't seem to support true multi tasking in the sense that we all have come to know of with our experience with PCs. Unless, as you say, it supports running in background. But that isn't true multi tasking. It's more like a work around for apps which need it.

Regarding closing apps... I really wouldn't worry too much about it. Recent apps and close works. Some say you should need to close apps or processes.. and I tend to agree with that, unless some app or process is consuming CPU time or preventing the device from sleeping.
 
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But the problem with that way (true multi-tasking like windows) is that the battery life would be terrible then. I much rather have better battery life than proper multi-tasking :p
 
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Multi tasking does work.

I'm currently posting this from my phone's browser whilst using a music streaming app in the background, I can also play local music whilst browsing.
 
Processes or activities are paused when you change app or instance, that's the way it's designed and it works fine. Some apps may not work that well because some developers are noobs.
No audio when minimising the browser is actually intended, I'm not sure how they would get around that though. They'd need to make an exception of some sorts..

Edit:

cymatty said:
Current time in Los Angeles

Monday, June 25, 2012 at 1:21:33 PM PDT

Seems like I am right then, I hate working out +- hours.
Click to expand...

www.time.is - is your friend!
 
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Nexus18 said:
But the problem with that way (true multi-tasking like windows) is that the battery life would be terrible then. I much rather have better battery life than proper multi-tasking :p
Click to expand...

I'd rather have the option. Wouldn't you?

Shimmy said:
Multi tasking does work.

I'm currently posting this from my phone's browser whilst using a music streaming app in the background, I can also play local music whilst browsing.
Click to expand...

What you are talking about is exactly what I mentioned, it's a work around for audio apps. Try listening to a video on Youtube in a browser and switch apps, hell even tabs within the browser.

It's annoying, and pretty unacceptable. This never used to bother me with my many previous Android based phones, but now I have a Android tablet with a keyboard, mouse... I'm expecting the OS to keep up with the abilities of the hardware, which is easily do-able. It's linux-based for christ sake with a quad core CPU. But perhaps I'll start another thread, rather than trash this one! ;)
 
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2StepSteve said:
I'd rather have the option. Wouldn't you?
Click to expand...

Yeah, it would be nice to have the option, but what is the point, if it drains battery even more? If it cut my battery from 4-5 hours on screen time spread through 1-3 days usage to say 3 or less hours on screen time and 1 day of usage I most certainly would not be using "true" multi-tasking at all.

I have no problems personally with the current multi-tasking, only thing is the browser tabs reload after you go to another demanding app or 2.

If you want to have the browser open whilst playing a video or something and in another app like SMS, whatsapp etc. then overskreen browser is what you want ;)
 
2StepSteve said:
It's annoying, and pretty unacceptable. This never used to bother me, but now I have a tablet with a keyboard I'm expecting the OS to keep up with the abilities of the hardware, which is easily do-able. It's linux-based for christ sake. But perhaps I'll start another thread, rather than trash this one!
Click to expand...


OSX is even worse.

anyways u are rigth about android and i know this as i am a android developer:

see full diagram below
activity_lifecycle.png


Activity = a screen belonging to a application
 
That's just for processes jonney. Android does have real, proper, true multitasking! It's just up to the developer to implement it.
You can use active services to run tasks in the background http://developer.android.com/guide/components/services.html

What's a good example apart from music players, weather widgets, clocks, Skype, OEM bloat etc etc?

Oh here's a good one, used Mp3 Media Converter the other day. That utilises Androids full multitasking. :) Encode stuff in the background while you browse the web, watch a video or just turn the screen off and wait for it to complete, just like a real desktop.
Use these apps at your own risk though! You can only stop active services in-app or with a full force close, the other options I listed previously above won't stop it running. (sort out a better multitasking UI Google!)
 
sarge78 said:
That's just for processes jonney. Android does have real, proper, true multitasking! It's just up to the developer to implement it.
You can use active services to run tasks in the background http://developer.android.com/guide/components/services.html

What's a good example apart from music players, weather widgets, clocks, Skype, OEM bloat etc etc?

Oh here's a good one, used Mp3 Media Converter the other day. That utilises Androids full multitasking. :) Encode stuff in the background while you browse the web, watch a video or just turn the screen off and wait for it to complete, just like a real desktop.
Use these apps at your own risk though! You can only stop active services in-app or with a full force close, the other options I listed previously above won't stop it running. (sort out a better multitasking UI Google!)
Click to expand...

Its for the screen not processes and yes u can run and do stuff in the background but if u dont use onBind, the service will terminate as soon as your appp/activity gets terminated automaticaly by the OS.

service_lifecycle.png
 
jonneymendoza said:
yes u can run and do stuff in the background
Click to expand...

Exactly, multitasking works perfectly if the developer wants it. What's your point :confused:
I'm complaining about how hard it is for a user to destroy a bound service, Android needs more cohesion and simplification to make it easier for devs and end users.

Don't forget you can make apps run in floating/popup windows too. Like calculators, video players, browsers etc. :D
 
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