Is the "Recent Apps" soft key that useful to be a soft key?

[MBeattie]

I agree. Long pressing the home button should have the same affrct and replace the app switcher key with s customizeable one ie a shortcut or something of our choosing

 

[SSHGuru]

I love it. For one you can see what's running and swipe to end it. On the other you can switch between applications in a second.

As others have said it's like switching between program on a computer. It's a very powerful feature.

 

[DaPoets]

I use it just as much as the home key, if not more actually...

 

[MegaSoundwave76]

The Recent Apps softkey is such a good tool to use. Especially if you are using Google maps and need to switch over to Google music to change a track or something. ICS is a big step forward for Android, and is only an indicator or better things to come!

 

[edoublediz]

i agree the overall sentiment here. i like it alot. that being said, why is there not a search soft button? i think that is a major fail! the search bar at the top of all home screens is totally stupid, and can only be used from the home screens.

 

[TabGuy]

I love it. For one you can see what's running and swipe to end it. On the other you can switch between applications in a second.

As others have said it's like switching between program on a computer. It's a very powerful feature.

It's my understanding that the list is not a list of running apps but a list of apps opened since the last boot, running or not. Also, swiping an item off the list doesn't end the program, it just removes it from the list.

 

[superlawyer15]

My $.02

I use the recent apps button more than any other

It is the quickest way to switch between apps and for this reason alone it deserves a spot there

As to whether or not it closes apps ...I'd like to think it does ..and I swipe things closed assuming that it does kill the app

 

[ragnarokx]

Nexus S users have actually gone out of their way to remap one of the capacitive keys (search) for this very feature. So when given the choice, there definitely is demand.

 

[LabRat]

I use it constantly, coming from WebOS probably has a lot to do with that.

 

[tx_tuff]

Did use it much at first, but once you use it to multitask then it makes a hell of a lot of sense and you will use it more and more.

I also use it to whip out all the apps, web, etc.. that I am not using. Of course from what I hear this really doesn't close apps, but it just makes me feel better LOL. And I think it does close some apps like facebook and twitter.

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

Did use it much at first, but once you use it to multitask then it makes a hell of a lot of sense and you will use it more and more.

I also use it to whip out all the apps, web, etc.. that I am not using. Of course from what I hear this really doesn't close apps, but it just makes me feel better LOL. And I think it does close some apps like facebook and twitter.

I think it takes some getting used too. I got used to it via Honeycomb on my Xoom.

Personally, I have never really used the search button. Very rarely can i remember ever needing it.

Sent from one of the following: Nexus, Bionic, or Xoom using Tapatalk

 

[milominderbinde]

I am on Gingerbread and use the Menu button all the time. The order I use Gingerbread function keys is:
1. Back
2. Menu
3. Home
4. Search
5. Long-press Home to see Recent apps once a day at most.

For those of you using the Recent Apps button all the time in ICS, were you using the Long-press Home a lot in Gingerbread?

 

[rob90262]

I use it everyday very useful to me

 

[Bluelens]

I use it constantly. I find it to be a better use of the space compared to the search button I had on the X.

 

[Mooem]

I don't really think I use it often but there have been occasions where I find it handy (needing a texted verification code a website requires in the browser and switching to the SMS app to copy the code).

I also use it to quickly get back to a specific settings screen that I have been messing with.

 

[ScooberJake]

Very useful. I use it every day. You're doing it wrong.

 

[recumbentbob]

I use it all the time to close apps.

 

[TabGuy]

I use it all the time to close apps.

It doesn't close apps. Swiping on them only removes them from the list.

It's a "recently used" list, not an "open and running" list.

You can prove this via two methods.

1. Open the list. Find an app in the list, say the Browser. Close the list, leaving the Browser in the list. Then go into Settings > Apps > All apps. Force close the Browser so you know it's not running. Now, tap on the "recently used" icon to open the list again. The browser is still there. It hasn't been removed from the list.

2. Do the reverse. Swipe on app in the list that you know is running, like the Browser, to remove it from the list. Go into Settings > Apps > All apps you can see that the app is still running. Then run the app again. It will be just where you left off.

The list is only recently used apps and has no relation to what is running or not running. Removing items from the list doesn't affect the state of an app.

 

[GeekMcLeod]

I found myself never, not even once, used the "Recent Apps" soft key in my whole month owning the GN. I find all my apps more easily accessed from home screens. Or am i doing it wrong?
Is recent apps soft key useful for you guys?

Same thing for me. I rarely use it. This is also my first Android devices so i still have to get used to some things coming from BlackBerry. I will probably use it a lot more once I get used to it and it's function.

 

[yosteve]

The problem I have I keep reaching for a menu button with the 3 dots even of its not there.

Like in modifying this thread I tried to tap on it so I could select modify.

Or in cases where there the dots aren't even a choice, I still tap at the space there.