[Feature request] Opening multiple apps
asked 2015-01-19 09:38:54 +0200
The multitasking features in Jolla are pretty good. I find my self frequently opening multiple apps to look something up in one that I then put into the other, say browser and password database, or here maps and telegram to lookup the name of a place where I'm supposed to meet someone to then search for it in maps.
What annoys me is that the opened applications always come to the foreground when they are opened. I'd like to be able to open an app and then immediately push it to the background and allow it to keep loading. This way once I've found what I'm looking for in one app, the other app is already open. Now you just get app screens popping up on top of each other.
I propose the following. When opening an app the UI switches to the loading state where you can see system status (clock, battery life etc.) at the top of the screen and the loading app icon in the home screen. Tapping the screen (at an empty spot) returns the UI to the stock home screen (no clock visible). This tap should act as a deprioritisation of the loading app, i.e. keep loading but don't bring it to the foreground once it's loaded. The deprioritisation should happen even if I don't go into another application.
There's actually also a related bug. The loading app always stays at the top of the stack, even if I go into another application. You can easily reproduce this by having some app open, then open the browser for instance and before it loads go into the app you had open. Once the browser is loaded it is brought to the foreground even though you have specifically requested to use some other app.
Alternatively, you know how the "Gallery" application shows your pictures in a grid, and if you long hold on a picture for two seconds then a "Delete" option appears? Just do that on the screen with the list of application icons. Long hold to reveal an option to "Start as cover". Regardless, I like your idea. :)
drcouzelis ( 2015-01-19 15:34:45 +0200 )editI agree, this would be very nice.. :)
HansA ( 2015-01-19 15:59:12 +0200 )editGreat idea! I think that in the "loading state" I would instead of tapping an empty spot (which there might not be if you have a lot of apps open already!) to simply add button for example at the bottom of the screen with the label "Start in background". It would hover above possible application covers.
This change would make the action clearer to the user in case he/she accidentally clicks the screen and then wonders why the application does not show up. The feature could also be classified as expert functionality that requires enabling in the Settings -> System -> Shortcuts panel, just like the "Enable swipe closing" is.
xkr47 ( 2015-06-22 17:54:10 +0200 )editI think this question should be retagged as a feature-request instead of bug
xkr47 ( 2015-06-22 17:55:47 +0200 )edit