[feature-request] Open multiple instances of app to multitask between them

asked 2014-07-24 05:09:29 +0200

pata
3661 ●22 ●30 ●26

updated 2015-02-22 07:18:41 +0200

I think that one important (unfortunately still missing) part of smooth multitasking experience is ability to open multiple instances of app or document (document viewer app) at same time to be able to easily navigate between them by using Jolla task switcher.

This should be possible especially with system basic apps like file manager, text/document editors/viewers, messaging (write/read multiple messages on same time), terminal (ssh-sessions), browser (it has built-in tab type of multitasking, but still I miss N9-esque way) etc. More or less all apps which contain information that you sometimes need to compare, manipulate and combine, and do copy/paste between, should enable this feature.

I think that good multitasking implementation need also support of smooth task switching between same application not only between different applications as it is currently implemented on Jolla.

My regulary appearing pain points with lacking multiple app instance support are:

1. I need to compare information of two or more documents. It would be nice to be able to open multiple instances of document viewer to easily check things on page X of one document, open second document as new task, goto page Y, check things there and just swipe away and switch back to original document which is open as separate task to be switched on and vice versa.

2. I would like to open multiple terminal sessions as multiple instances to be able to switch between them easily using native gesture based task switcher.

3. Write new messages by combining information of several other messages and/or documents. I need to be able to move easy and fast way between messages without losing edited version. This is now far better handled after Tahkalampi update ( auto draft feature) , but still N9 with multiple open messsage tasks beats Jolla in this front as https://together.jolla.com/users/2113/abyzthomas/ points out.

EDIT 1: It is possible to open multiple instances of Terminal app (It's not most obvious way because it is embedded in-app menu, but still), so that point is answered by Whippler.

EDIT 2: The multi-instance support could be implemented easily, uncluttered, obvious and native Jolla-ish way by utilizing cover actions. That way it's easy to find out which apps support multiple instances and it clearly lefts decision to developer to support or not that feature. I wonder if it is already possible to start support to multiple instances if developer wants like Terminal app do as Whippler has been point out.

There is maybe just need to put design guideline in place for developers to implement the feature whenever that makes sense for normal app usage patterns.

A good example of the possible implementation is Browser "+" cover action which could open new instance of browser instead of new tab. Likewise, I think that Terminal app should implement something like "+" cover action in addition of in-app toggle to fire up new instance. That would be more Jolla-way implementation making user experience more consistent.

There are also thread https://together.jolla.com/question/16455/edge-gesture-app-swap/ that somehow relates with this multiple instance request discussing method and gestures to switch directly from app to app.

EDIT 3: As NJesperson points out, the current app switcher with only last 9 apps visible will be easily overflow badly if the support of multiple instances is widely supported. This is already starting to happen as Android apps multitasking view err... launch history is presented on app switcher after update 8. List of recently launched Android apps are prone to fast overflow 9 app grid.

There are rumors that Jolla may be preparing overhaul of app switcher in future releases. We do not know the solution that they are planning, but NJesperson suggests that multi-instance or in-app multitasking might be implemented grouping multiple instances under single cover in the app/task switcher grid. The cover actions should be used to handle in-app multitasking in consistent way shared all apps.

EDIT 4: Nothing has emerged so far (pre-release update 10 a.k.a 1.1.2.15) considering multitasking. I am pointing my hopes of improvement with multitasking to Sailfish OS 2.0 release which should see daylight with Jolla Tablet. I hope that SOS 2.0 (Tablet) has not only split screen multitasking but also overall improvements, like to allow open multiple instances of any app if preferred as this feature request states.