Fast app switching like on iPad

[Kevin OQuinn]

No worries. I'm all for a good conversation, but I don't like seeing members getting jumped on for mentioning something they thought was cool on one device and want it on their new (or other) device.

The wording of the OP was the key, here.

 

[Life-Is-Good]

The ClutchPad Launcher currently at a discounted price on Google Play Store can toggle back and forth between 2 apps and can do many other last app and favorite app launches. You can put a small trigger button anywhere along the edge of the screen. The button is always visible. Tapping and swiping the trigger can perform a variety of configurable functions.

You have the option of having a notification bar icon and dropdown. Without the notification bar icon Android may occasionally close ClutchPad, but it always restarts itself within a few seconds.

 

[ChromeJob]

The problem may be if there is no OS hook to "alt tab" to previous app. The design guide specifically calls out that left-right swiping on the home screen is reserved, widgets may only use vertical swipd actions.

( http://developer.android.com/design/index.html )

 

[balus3u]

try the trial version.it has gesture control to switch apps and multitask.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...m.goodmooddroid.gesturecontrol&token=KE2_kCya

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[jimbarr]

The OP asked:

"On the iPad it is possible to use multiple fingers to switch between apps back and forth and I find it quite convenient. It's there anything similar on the Nexus 7?"​

The answer is yes, but not with gestures. And you can move among multiple apps.

OK, how about a re-wording the OP question:

"On the Nexus 7 it is possible to tap a softkey to switch among multiple apps and I find it quite convenient. It's there anything similar on the iPad Mini?"​

To which, the answer is, yes, but with gestures. And you can swipe among recent apps.

 

[JoeCity7]

On the iPad it is possible to use multiple fingers to switch between apps back and forth and I find it quite convenient. It's there anything similar on the Nexus 7?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

Hi, I know I'm resurrecting a dead thread however I didn't see this mentioned in here by anyone else.

If you root your device you can use GMD GestureControl - gives you customizable ipad like gestures exactly as you requested; 3 finger swipe left / right for previous / next application, 4 finger pinch for home, 4 fingers outwards for app drawer, or you can program in your own actions for it. There is a free lite version also, which I believe lets you do everything except hide the jellybean status bar.

Thing is, I would love this functionality on my nexus 7 however I'm not keen to root. I have been able to do everything else I have wanted without rooting except for this. I would be keen to hear if an app ever comes out that brings multi gesture functionality without root... perhaps that is a pipe dream however. I think to get this on Android, for now anyway, you need root access / need to flash another rom with this built in.

I think the 3 finger swipe between apps is one of the best productivity changes for a tablet. Switching between 2-3 apps this way (say an ebook and browser... or dictionary app and word app, etc etc) is much faster and more convenient than anything else, and no - clicking an app switch button, then clicking another button to switch to another app, and then repeating this to switch back to your app, is no where near as fast nor convenient. This usability feature probably remains one of iPads biggest advantages over android tablets.

 

[TheStanger]

Hi all, first time poster here. I got my Nexus 7 2 weeks ago and it replaced my Playbook that I owned for 1.5 years. I really love everything about the Nexus but there are a few things the Playbook does better and app switching is one of them. In the Playbook to switch between open apps you simply swipe left or right to the next open app. Speaking of that, bezel gestures is the other area the Playbook excels. Blackberry made brilliant use of all the bezels in allowing you to swipe from them in all directions to access certain things. That is the biggest thing I miss from the Playbook. Other than that I am very pleased with my Nexus 7 and it's features.

 

[Suntan]

As others have said, Apple probably has a patent for multi-touch gestures to accomplish the swiping to change apps. So, as for an Android solution, there probably is none, as Apple's legal team would know about it.

Except that Palm offered this feature long before Apple did. ...Although that doesn't seem to matter to the government when issuing software patents.

-Suntan