Multi-window & Multi-tasking on the SGS3

[steampunk_cowboy]

Even on a 4.9" screen, music shared and lti-window/mult-tasking features can be quite productive whether using them in portrait mode or landscape mode. On my 4.1.2 SGS3, Samsung Multi-window and Swapps Sliding App Drawer give me a lot of control of my apps and the tasks with which I'm concerned though more refinements are definitely needed.

Currently, I have only 21 out of 169 downloaded (and used) apps that support the Multi-window feature [refer to my reply in the Multi-window discussion for a list of tested apps]. That clearly shows some timidity at Samsung and a wait-and-see attitude within the Android development community.

Both Multi-window and Swapps are resident applications with sliding app drawers that can be turned on or off at user discretion. Both provide screen position options (left/right/top/bottom) and can be tapped closed (invisible) when not needed.

There's a lot that can be shared and discussed here; but, for now, I'll close with an invitation to all to reply with your comments and personal insights into the use of multi-window and multi-tasking applications on the SGS3i535. I have some screenshots of how both applications look on my S3, but cannot find a link for attaching them here. Maybe Ann_154 can email me and I will attach them in my reply posting.

[tikibar1]

steampunk_cowboy wrote:

I have some screenshots of how both applications look on my S3, but cannot find a link for attaching them here.

When you Reply, look at the top of the text box and click the camera to Insert Image.  If that doesn't work (and it doesn't for me most of the time), press Use Advanced Editor in the upper right-hand corner of the reply box.  Wait a few seconds for a new page to load, then at the bottom of the reply box, you can Choose File to attach your file(s).  Just ensure that your screenshots don't include any personal information, as that's against the forum's Terms of Service.

[steampunk_cowboy]

Thanks, I'll look for them; meanwhile, here are the attachments for my original post.

[Ann154]

You have to use the full desktop website to attach images to the posts as inline images or attachments. The Mobile site doesn't support adding images to posts.

[tikibar1]

Thanks for the clarification, Ann154.  I obviously forgot to include that in my instructions. 

[steampunk_cowboy]

Finally, I got one of my mobile browsers (Firefox) to work posting this reply with attached screenshots. The solution was to check the request desktop option in the browser preferences and to check the advanced editor option on this page.

So, a word or two about the attachments: firstly, they are examples of basic Multi-window applications in both portrait and landscape modes; secondly, the first set (screenshots 09 & 10) show a Kindle reader in one window and a ColorNote pad in the other; thirdly, the second set (screenshots 11 & 12) show two different browsers--Chrome Mobile Browser in one and Puffin Web Browser in the other. Finally, each window can be resized as needed or displayed full-screen alternating with the second window.

Being a resident application, Multi-window (when checked in device display settings) is always ready for use offline and online. When you don't want the blue half-circle tab to show, simply press & hold down the device back button; conversely, press & hold down the back button to show the blue tab.

[Ann154]

Chrome also has a "request desktop site" checkbox and works well with this community's desktop version.

[steampunk_cowboy]

I use Chrome, Firefox, Puffin, and stock 4.1.2 browser (all four have the desktop preference option); however, all but Firefox repeatedly gave me error messages whenever I attempted to attach a screenshot photo even after downsizing the pics and optimizing memory usage with Clean Master.

[Ann154]

steampunk_cowboy wrote:

I use Chrome, Firefox, Puffin, and stock 4.1.2 browser (all four have the desktop preference option); however, all but Firefox repeatedly gave me error messages whenever I attempted to attach a screenshot photo even after downsizing the pics and optimizing memory usage with Clean Master.

I haven't had issues with errors on Chrome for any of my devices including a Nexus and S4 for inserting images in a post on this community.

[steampunk_cowboy]

Sorry Ann154, for getting off thread here but wanted you to see what happened again with my Chrome v28 Mobile Browser on this forum when trying to attach a photo to a reply (see Firefox attachment to this reply). Same thing also occurred again using Puffin and stock browser.

[Ann154]

That looks more like a device memory error especially if it is happening with multiple browser apps. Does Firefox compress files for uploading? What is your internal memory free space?

PS I'm interested in finding out which apps will work on the split screen options.

[steampunk_cowboy]

HOW TO SELECT/DESELECT THE MULTI-WINDOW TAB AND TO MODIFY THE TRAY/TAB POSITION

I noticed in another discussion that someone had asked how to remove the Multi-window blue tab; then, replied "nevermind" that he found his answer in a YouTube how-to video. After watching that video, I felt that more information was missing and that I would reply to that thread but found it locked.

The issue of making the tab go away is easy by unchecking the Multi-window option in display settings. But, what if you want only to hide the tab or move the tab away from widgets on your homescreen or areas of interest on a Web page, then you can leave the Multi-window display option checked and do one or more of the following steps:

1. To make the blue tab (not the application) disappear, long-press the device back button.

2. To make the blue tab appear, long-press the device back button. NOTE: If the tab does not appear, go to the device display settings and check the option for Multi-window to turn on this feature.

3. To move the Multi-window sliding app tray from the left side (default position) of the screen, tap the blue tab to display the tray and long-press the tab while slowly dragging the tray to the other side or to the top or bottom of the screen. The tray can occupy any one of the four edges of the screen.

4. If you're satisfied with the new tray position but the center blue tab is still in the way, long-press the tab (while the tray is hidden) and drag it up or down or left or right depending on which of the four tray positions you've chosen in step 3.

REFER TO THE ATTACHED SCREENSHOTS FOR CLARIFICATION