All messages> Back switches apps instead - Hero, G2 Touch General

I noticed a bug that allows you to switch to running apps that were left behind with the home button.
Prerequisites: HTC Messages widget on one of the main screens.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Open an application (like 'people') and exit out with the home button, not the back button.
2. Repeat step one if you want to add other apps.
3. Go to the HTC messages widget and tap it to open a message.
4. Select menu option "All messages".
5. Press the 'back' button. This will switch to another app instead of close the messages.
6. Repeat step 5 to close the app and move to the next one.
Further notes:
Some apps will continue to show up even if you press 'back' on them to exit out.
For example, "People", "System settings" and browser never closes. Camera app does close, but you have to leave it by pressing 'home'.
Works on generic 1.5.

android dosent close apps untill needed lol just hold the home button to open any program you have run recently lol

mancsoulja said:
android dosent close apps untill needed lol just hold the home button to open any program you have run recently lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that - it is not mentioned in the manual. Thanks for that useful tip. Looks like a useful shortcut back to where you were before.
But how do you close a programme rather than let it waste memory and battery in the background?

peterc10 said:
I didn't know that - it is not mentioned in the manual. Thanks for that useful tip. Looks like a useful shortcut back to where you were before.
But how do you close a programme rather than let it waste memory and battery in the background?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If android needs ram it will close apps as needed but you can always download a task manager from the marketplace, there are some good free ones, i suggest advanced task manager its what i use

It would be good to be able to actually get them to exit properly.
Especially so when you have 4 or 5 "All messages" apps that won't go.
The only use this bug has is to take you to apps that are actually running as opposed to your history.

It also takes you to screens that a task switcher can't do for you, like the last screen you see from your last phone call and the call history.

frankv100 said:
The only use this bug has is to take you to apps that are actually running as opposed to your history.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see this as being a bug. The ability to be able to short cut to the 6 (I notice it is limited to 6) previously used apps by a long press on the home button is obviously something the designers have deliberately included. And to me it is a useful additional feature (now I have found it!).
It seems to be history rather than running apps you are looking at - I closed several of my running apps using Astro and yet they still subsequently appeared in the list.

Related

how to completely close applications?

I find that when I visit SETTINGS --> SYSTEM tab --> MEMORY --> RUNNING PROGRAMS tab, there are always several applications running. It seems to be ones I have used and I pressed the cross or OK on the top right cornerto close it, but hey don't actually completely close. Is there a way to make sure they are closed and not running in the background?
You can install a task manager.
I recommend:
Wisbad Advance 2 (free as it is beta right now)
Good luck
how to realy close programs
im using the best software i think the "battery pack 2.1.1". this software will give u some other great stuff.
http://www.omegaone.com/batterypack/pro/default.htm
bye
Magic Button from http://www.trancreative.com
Freeware as well, and will enable you to toggle the top bar between the standard window title and a neat windows-like task bar.
the one and only CloseAll does the work.
wow guys, thanks a lot for your speedy suggestions. I will check them out, thanks again.
My VJOkButt is a very low profile task killer and can also be used with AE button plus to replace the red key, since it will also simulate hanging up phone calls. So you don't lose a button, but merely double it's existing functionality.
V
Another vote for MagicButton. Very small memory footprint, shows you which tasks are running on the status bar, can choose which apps it leaves alone, and gives a battery meter too. I found that WA/PocketPlus/BatteryPack etc were all too much of a resource hog on the Wizard.
Re: how to realy close programs
erez29 said:
im using the best software i think the "battery pack 2.1.1". this software will give u some other great stuff.
http://www.omegaone.com/batterypack/pro/default.htm
bye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be VERY careful with Battery Pack Pro.
Totally banjaxed my K-JAM, I had to do a hard reset to recover.
I am currently trialing Spb Pocket Plus.
Does what you want plus a whole load more and has NOT caused any problems on my PDA.
Except it would not work when installed on my MiniSD card only installed internally.
Robin
I am using DinarSoft's HandySwitcher it is also very small and unobtrusive
Re: how to realy close programs
erez29 said:
im using the best software i think the "battery pack 2.1.1". this software will give u some other great stuff.
http://www.omegaone.com/batterypack/pro/default.htm
bye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be VERY careful with Battery Pack Pro.
Totally banjaxed my K-JAM, I had to do a hard reset to recover.
I am currently trialing Spb Pocket Plus.
Does what you want plus a whole load more and has NOT caused any problems on my PDA.
Except it would not work when installed on my MiniSD card only installed internally.
Robin
I have loaded MagicButton on my Qtek 9100 and it works realy nice. But when I check AutoStart option in Settings, and turn device off and on error message appears that mbutton cannot be opened as it is not signed with trusted cerificate. Any tip how to avoid this message?
I switched to Magic Button, but the biggest problem is that it cannot be used with a hardware key .
I'm using the PIE hardware key as Ok/Close, but MB is just minimizing the apps, not closing them, which is really annoying.
If someone made it to close apps, please share ... if it is not possible, I'll switch to other task manager.
Try HandySwitcher from DinarSoft it can be assigned to a HW button. It can also sit on your tray and/or topbar.
bnycastro said:
Try HandySwitcher from DinarSoft it can be assigned to a HW button. It can also sit on your tray and/or topbar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried it. i assigned it to the PIE (internet explorer) hardware button but when i press it, it just brings up its menu.
what i want to do is to close apps when pressing the PIE button or any other hardware button
just tried vijay's vjokbutt, works like a charm for me, does what I want
RE
Can HandySwitcher or MagicButton close PIE or OPERA?
If not, then which task switcher can?
Thanks
@kelu: HS is actually a Task Manager so it will show you the list of running tasks and wait for you to decide which to close [that is why you see the menu and task list] to individually close an app you may tap the 'ok' button or do a 'tap-n-hold' [depends on what you put in the settings] of course this is not done via hw buttons. What I do when I don't have a stylus handy is I just hit the hw button and select 'Close All' now it may be a hassle to some people with multiple apps running but too me it is ok since I rarely run multiple apps [or more often than not I close the app when I am done via 'close all' before running the next one].
you can actually close applications by using the SIP keyboard and choosing CTRL-Q
this has worked ever since my Casio E105 (man, that was a long time ago...)
bnycastro said:
@kelu: HS is actually a Task Manager so it will show you the list of running tasks and wait for you to decide which to close [that is why you see the menu and task list] to individually close an app you may tap the 'ok' button or do a 'tap-n-hold' [depends on what you put in the settings] of course this is not done via hw buttons. What I do when I don't have a stylus handy is I just hit the hw button and select 'Close All' now it may be a hassle to some people with multiple apps running but too me it is ok since I rarely run multiple apps [or more often than not I close the app when I am done via 'close all' before running the next one].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes u are right, the ok/close functionality via a hardware button is not really conected to the task listing of a task manager, but nevertheless I found it very usefull
as a task manager now I use SmallMenu and GSPPocketMagic (I'm testing both to decide), as they are very light and they also extend the start menu

is there a way to close a program right away

or will it always run in the backround until you end all tasks
thanks
msoprano13 said:
or will it always run in the backround until you end all tasks
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the program. I have found that if you hit the back arrow key a few times it closes some of the running apps.
hold the 'home' button > task manager > end all task
that's the fastest way i guess.,,
The only program i know of which ends when you close it is IE. If i hit the red button to exit the browser, it completely shuts down the program. I'm using the dash 3G. It didnt used to be this way on the original Dash.....you can also set your shortcut key to task manager if you wanted to.
how do you change a short cut key to task manager??
thanks
msoprano13 said:
how do you change a short cut key to task manager??
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start > all programs > Accessories > Highlight Task Manager and hit Menu then Add Speed Dial.
I use 3, but pretty much any would work (Besides the number 1)
Shortcut Key on Dash 3G
msoprano13 said:
how do you change a short cut key to task manager??
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Task Manager set as the long press for the Shortcut Key (bottom right of the Dash 3G keyboard) (short press = Comm Mgr). Set this by Start/More/Settings/More/More/More/(5) Shortcut Key
Then you can make it either the "Short press" function or the "Press and hold" function.
Snap & Ozone don't have that key available though ...
msoprano13 said:
or will it always run in the backround until you end all tasks
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't really need to... The Maple has SOOOO much freakin RAM, I've never gone below 60MB yet, even with my WM 6.5 test ROM (coming soon).
ookba said:
You don't really need to... The Maple has SOOOO much freakin RAM, I've never gone below 60MB yet, even with my WM 6.5 test ROM (coming soon).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a complete Windows Mobile newbie, and this seems very strange and very Microsoft to me. How shocking that there isn't a way to switch apps or close apps beyond the task manager, but nearly every app lacks a well defined close button. Maybe I'm spoiled after playing with the Palm Pre in the store for awhile today.
EDIT: after using the snap a bit more i've set the task manager to one of the speed dial shortcuts. that definitely helps, but i'm still looking into how to make the mycircle button bring up the task man. my other thought is that it would be great if the end button closed your currently running application (maybe with a confirmation prompt). then the home button could still be used to return to the today screen and you wouldn't have duplicated functionality between the home and end buttons.
dougmwpsu said:
I'm a complete Windows Mobile newbie, and this seems very strange and very Microsoft to me. How shocking that there isn't a way to switch apps or close apps beyond the task manager, but nearly every app lacks a well defined close button. Maybe I'm spoiled after playing with the Palm Pre in the store for awhile today.
EDIT: after using the snap a bit more i've set the task manager to one of the speed dial shortcuts. that definitely helps, but i'm still looking into how to make the mycircle button bring up the task man. my other thought is that it would be great if the end button closed your currently running application (maybe with a confirmation prompt). then the home button could still be used to return to the today screen and you wouldn't have duplicated functionality between the home and end buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could create a Mortscript to map the mycircle button, a bit harder to write one for the currently running app.. now I got my thinking cap on lol

BACK-Button to kill a task *searching*

Hi there,
wondering if there is a way to get the back-button finishing the app.
When i'm at contacts or writing an sms or surfing, i want to go back to desktop as fast as possible...but when i'm at contact/details, i have to press the back button 5-6 times to go back trough all the previous screen.
Is there a way/hack/app telling the back-button (have to be a hardware button) to end the tasks completly when holding it, for example?
THX THX
Press the home button? That will take you back to the desktop.
If you need to you can then use task manager to end the task.
Would be nice to see a hack/fix to add the back button to kill functionality though
IakobosJ said:
Press the home button? That will take you back to the desktop.
If you need to you can then use task manager to end the task.
Would be nice to see a hack/fix to add the back button to kill functionality though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I miss this from my oxygen rom'd desire
Pkplonker said:
I miss this from my oxygen rom'd desire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's already in in MIUI and most probably will be also in CM7.
well the back button does kill apps.
if you start, say, the browser and press the home button, then enter task manager, the browser will still run. if you start the browser and press the back button and open the task manager, it will show that the browser is not running anymore (actually, the browser was a bad example, since after a little bit of browsing you'd have to push the back button quite a lot since its primary function is to go back). the same goes for many more apps, whatsapp, facebook, twitter, angry birds...
Pkplonker said:
I miss this from my oxygen rom'd desire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me too. adamG has apparently got a SGS2 though
Thinking about it, I would also like this functionality although it isn't so urgent for me. If more people show interest maybe I'll attempt it as my first android app For such a simple app my opinion is that it should be free and not packed with admob spam, but if another dev wants to attempt it that's their choice I guess.
My thoughts:
It should be quick to develop a simple app providing this functionality. Just have it bind to an event which fires when the back button is pressed long, and have it kill the app whichever is first in the foreground window Z-order (I'm fairly new to the Android API, so I use Win32 API terminology here for example only). The only complexity may be to make the event bound globally (in all apps), as opposed to only bound in the app itself - hopefully that doesn't require root! I guess it should be a background service which runs on boot, and perhaps a very simple gui app to control that service (in fact would there be anything to configure at all? What do you think?).
sl9 said:
Thinking about it, I would also like this functionality although it isn't so urgent for me. If more people show interest maybe I'll attempt it as my first android app For such a simple app my opinion is that it should be free and not packed with admob spam, but if another dev wants to attempt it that's their choice I guess.
My thoughts:
It should be quick to develop a simple app providing this functionality. Just have it bind to an event which fires when the back button is pressed long, and have it kill the app whichever is first in the foreground window Z-order (I'm fairly new to the Android API, so I use Win32 API terminology here for example only). The only complexity may be to make the event bound globally (in all apps), as opposed to only bound in the app itself - hopefully that doesn't require root! I guess it should be a background service which runs on boot, and perhaps a very simple gui app to control that service (in fact would there be anything to configure at all? What do you think?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would need to be in the framework of the rom, I think
Chef_Tony said:
well the back button does kill apps.
if you start, say, the browser and press the home button, then enter task manager, the browser will still run. if you start the browser and press the back button and open the task manager, it will show that the browser is not running anymore (actually, the browser was a bad example, since after a little bit of browsing you'd have to push the back button quite a lot since its primary function is to go back). the same goes for many more apps, whatsapp, facebook, twitter, angry birds...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it does, but you have to press and press and press...would be cool, if you can "hold down" the button for a sec and it will end the task.
Example...when i'm at handsentSMS > SMS > keyboard open...
Pressing BACK > close keyboard
Pressing BACK > closing SMS windows
Pressing BACK > closing handsentSMS
3 times pressing this button after every SMS suxx...sorry
Yeah i can press the HomeButton, but then its in my mind, that the app is running in background...isnt that bad at android-OS-structure, but its a bad feeling to me...
yes that's true. i was reading over your original post again and the first time through i must have overread the part where you named sms and the browser as examples. you are right, in that case, it does not work very well. an alternative way is to hold the home button, then press task manager and kill the app instantly. but that takes even longer. i guess your best option is to actually let it run in the background, if you want to get out of it fast.
pulser_g2 said:
It would need to be in the framework of the rom, I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspected this may be the case, really hope it isn't but I understand the Android security model needs to enforce a certain level of isolation for each app in the VM I'll do some further reading of the documentation to find out for sure, since a simple non-root APK providing this functionality for users would be very welcome.
I'm too used to other less-secure API's (Win32) in which any app could basically do whatever it wanted to other apps and the OS; I guess thats why virus authors love Windows so much
yeah just for anyone not totally in the know, there is a difference in android between pressing the BACK button and HOME button to leave an app. using the back button to leave an app and go back to the home screen basically "kills" the app. it puts it in a state where it can readily be killed by the OS in an instant.
when just pressing HOME to leave an app, the app is technically backgrounded. the OS will keep it around longer or in a different fashion.
so backing out of apps with the back button is always the way to "exit" any app.

ICS upgrade by Samsung

It has been confirmed now.
I was wondering how on-screen buttons are supposed to work alongside capacitive/physical buttons on the note?
... and other discussions.
I'm sure Samsung will touch wiz the onscreen buttons right out of the ROM...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
It's possible to remove onscreen buttons with default launcher.
If a device has physical buttons the on-screen buttons will not be used by ICS. This has been covered many times in reviews and direct statements from Google.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
galaxytab1 said:
It has been confirmed now.
I was wondering how on-screen buttons are supposed to work alongside capacitive/physical buttons on the note?
... and other discussions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was confirmed a week ago.....
xAnimal5 said:
It was confirmed a week ago.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When i say now, it was setting up the context for further discussion and not breaking the news.
there is one on screen button i want them to keep in - the multitask button. that button would save me from having to use a task switcher app, and makes app/ram management a lot easier.
one thing i am curious about though, since ICS features the ability to freeze apps integrated into it, is it possible to freeze touchwiz and revert to generic ICS? (im a bit of a nubb as to the complexities of android).
Souai said:
there is one on screen button i want them to keep in - the multitask button. that button would save me from having to use a task switcher app, and makes app/ram management a lot easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you know this and just don't think it's enough, but have you tried using the already built in multi tasking feature? Just long press the home button and a menu with shortcuts to your six most recent apps will appear. Here you can also enter the task manager to shut down apps and clear RAM
Sent via Tapatalk on my Galaxy Note
Forget about that, touchwiz is full intigrated into the android framework. You cant even boot without it.
Send from my Galaxy Note
BaconDanny said:
Maybe you know this and just don't think it's enough, but have you tried using the already built in multi tasking feature? Just long press the home button and a menu with shortcuts to your six most recent apps will appear. Here you can also enter the task manager to shut down apps and clear RAM
Sent via Tapatalk on my Galaxy Note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know about long press home, but that only shows recent apps, it doesnt tell you which ones are still open and which ones are closed. id rather have something that tells me which ones are running, rather than which ones ive used recently which may or may not still be running.
on my old n900, there was a visual task switcher built into the UI. tap the button, and it shows all active windows. you can see a preview of what each one is doing (including seeing a video play in realtime) and you can close each one directly from this screen, no need to go into a menu or three just to find out which ones are open and which ones are closed.
there was a visual task switcher on android that was similar, but it only runs on android up to froyo. the next best thing ive used on android is the smart task switcher, but it doesnt help that the only button i can assign it to on the galaxy note is the home key. on my atrix, i had it assigned to the search key. it also doesnt do previews like the n900, but it does tell you how much free ram you have.
call me picky, but from my experience, multitasking is one thing that nokia does better than android, even though nokia lacks a dual core device. hopefully the task switcher in ICS changes that.
Souai said:
i know about long press home, but that only shows recent apps, it doesnt tell you which ones are still open and which ones are closed. id rather have something that tells me which ones are running, rather than which ones ive used recently which may or may not still be running.
on my old n900, there was a visual task switcher built into the UI. tap the button, and it shows all active windows. you can see a preview of what each one is doing (including seeing a video play in realtime) and you can close each one directly from this screen, no need to go into a menu or three just to find out which ones are open and which ones are closed.
there was a visual task switcher on android that was similar, but it only runs on android up to froyo. the next best thing ive used on android is the smart task switcher, but it doesnt help that the only button i can assign it to on the galaxy note is the home key. on my atrix, i had it assigned to the search key. it also doesnt do previews like the n900, but it does tell you how much free ram you have.
call me picky, but from my experience, multitasking is one thing that nokia does better than android, even though nokia lacks a dual core device. hopefully the task switcher in ICS changes that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
webos also has good multitasking.
You guys don't think Samsung will just place the multi task app for that?
Long press the home button and that should bring up the new ics app mananger. I think that would be the most logical route for them.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Souai said:
i know about long press home, but that only shows recent apps, it doesnt tell you which ones are still open and which ones are closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused... besides the recent apps, there's a task manager button there that does show only the open apps. Or is it just the fact that it's an extra button press?
The task manager shows the apps that are running. The pop-up (long press) is recently opened apps/fast task switcher. If you for example open the XDA app and exit from it, it will still be in the recently opened/fast switcher pop-up.
The videos I've seen of ICS running with Touchwiz has you just hold down the Home button to bring up the new multi-tasking app switcher menu or whatever you want to call it.
LordManhattan said:
The task manager shows the apps that are running...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, and isn't that what they were asking for?
I answered your question.
"I'm confused... besides the recent apps, there's a task manager button there that does show only the open apps. Or is it just the fact that it's an extra button press?"
LordManhattan said:
I answered your question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, no, I'm still confused about what everyone's issue is.
You said:
The pop-up (long press) is recently opened apps/fast task switcher. If you for example open the XDA app and exit from it, it will still be in the recently opened/fast switcher pop-up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that. But as I said in my original message:
besides the recent apps, there's a task manager button there that does show only the open apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you click that task manager button, it takes you to a screen that shows only the running apps, and lets you switch between them. Isn't that what people are wanting to do?
NV30 said:
It's possible to remove onscreen buttons with default launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
should be and hope ne
dscline said:
I'm confused... besides the recent apps, there's a task manager button there that does show only the open apps. Or is it just the fact that it's an extra button press?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cant access the task manager in android from every screen, you need to go through a few screens to get to it. on ICS and on my nokia n900, you could get to it at the push of a button, makes multitasking much much easier and much much faster. faster is always better, just like if samsung's custom browser for the note used tabs like dolphin and firefox instead of the new window thing, im sure people would love it more.

WP 8 and Multitasking

Hello there!
I would like to try it by myself, but unfortunately I cant. So, someone who tried the SDK, have you noticed changes in multitasking system?
Right now the only way to resume an app is using fast app switch. But I really dont like it. I rather just use the homescreen icon instead. Right now it relaunch the app.
Any changes on that? (oh please)
Thank you so much!
mikeeam said:
Hello there!
I would like to try it by myself, but unfortunately I cant. So, someone who tried the SDK, have you noticed changes in multitasking system?
Right now the only way to resume an app is using fast app switch. But I really dont like it. I rather just use the homescreen icon instead. Right now it relaunch the app.
Any changes on that? (oh please)
Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows Phone apps can never resume via the homescreen like iOS, due to the addition of the hardware OS back button.
To illustrate why; imagine you have an app that has start page and a settings menu. When a user goes to the settings menu, they can only go back to the start page by pressing the hardware back button (this is standard Metro design).
Now imagine a user opens the app, goes to the settings menu, then exists the app by pressing the Home button. They then do a few other tasks and then resume the app. They are now stuck in the settings menu and can't get back to the app start page; the back key will take them back to the WP8 Home screen (this is how the WP OS backstack works).
To get around this issue, Microsoft specify that starting the app from the front page always has to start a fresh instance, so the user can never get "stuck".
iOS has software back buttons on every page, so all apps can resume however you launch them. Android had the same problem with their back button (actually worse, as their backstack can be altered by the OS choosing to kill memory-intensive apps); to get around this, from ICS onwards Android apps are meant to have a software back button in the top-left, to go back within the application (hardware back key is still OS backstack).
Aphasaic2002 said:
Windows Phone apps can never resume via the homescreen like iOS, due to the addition of the hardware OS back button.
To illustrate why; imagine you have an app that has start page and a settings menu. When a user goes to the settings menu, they can only go back to the start page by pressing the hardware back button (this is standard Metro design).
Now imagine a user opens the app, goes to the settings menu, then exists the app by pressing the Home button. They then do a few other tasks and then resume the app. They are now stuck in the settings menu and can't get back to the app start page; the back key will take them back to the WP8 Home screen (this is how the WP OS backstack works).
To get around this issue, Microsoft specify that starting the app from the front page always has to start a fresh instance, so the user can never get "stuck".
iOS has software back buttons on every page, so all apps can resume however you launch them. Android had the same problem with their back button (actually worse, as their backstack can be altered by the OS choosing to kill memory-intensive apps); to get around this, from ICS onwards Android apps are meant to have a software back button in the top-left, to go back within the application (hardware back key is still OS backstack).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it sucks so bad! They should review this. I hate to use the back button, and I hate to not resume the app. Using a common app, for example, WhatsApp. I was in a chat with someone. Then I hit Windows button and Im at start screen. Then I receive a message from the same person I just left the chat. What I do? I can open from the toast, can open from fast app switch (back button), or open from start screen icon.
If I open from toast, that will depend on what the app was meant to be. In WhatsApp it would take me to the chat, because of deep toast notification. But, right now, it needs to reload the whole app to open just the chat.
If I open from fast switch, it will resume the app right away. Nice. But in any other platform the message would be there waiting for you. Right now, in WP, it takes a lot to refresh the chat. You keep like 10 seconds staring at the screen waiting it. Its even faster to just reopen the whole app.
And if I open from start screen, its almost the same effect of toast, but it dont take me to the chat, but to the start screen of the app.
The point is, the fast switch is not helping that much. In fact, it would makes sense to change the fast switch to open when holding the Windows button instead of back button, and whenever an app is open, opening it from start screen icon just resume it. Actually, a lot of people doesnt even know, or even knowing, doesnt even use fast switch. Im not a common smartphone user, and even so I dont use fast switch.
For me, its the worse problem of platform. And I dont care about CE or NT if it works, but I care about it working at all. Doesnt make sense to put a whole computer in my pocket if it cant resume a single app.
i don't like the idea either to relaunch the app when you just have put it in background. then again, i also hope we will be able to close apps from the fast-appswitch-screen. and add an option to the gesture lovers out there: pinch out on homescreen to launch multitasking. or swipe from edge like w8. or anything like that. it would add to UI experience and would eliminate that 2-seconds-pause when pressing and holding down the backbutton.
Was the question not about Windows Phone 8?
Windows Phone 8 is supposed to behave differently, since true background processing is supposed to be enabled. I haven't played with the SDK yet, but I suspect that for non recompiled apps, things will behave as they do on Mango. But, I think that things changed to target WinRT and set to be able to run in the background will be able to resume right where you left off.
It wouldn't make sense for an app that is running and processing things in the background to restart when the tile is pressed.
It's been a while since I used Mango or wrote any apps for it. But, when an app is suspended, the dev has a specified amount of time to save the state.
That way when it is relaunched, the app can resume where it left off, by processing the saved state on launch. I thought with fast resume the app stayed in memory, but that was done through a registry hack and not directly made available by any carrier.
After doing some reading, the multi tasking enhancements might only add gps and voip to the currently supported background processing.
JVH3 said:
But it sucks so bad! They should review this. I hate to use the back button, and I hate to not resume the app. Using a common app, for example, WhatsApp. I was in a chat with someone. Then I hit Windows button and Im at start screen. Then I receive a message from the same person I just left the chat. What I do? I can open from the toast, can open from fast app switch (back button), or open from start screen icon.
If I open from toast, that will depend on what the app was meant to be. In WhatsApp it would take me to the chat, because of deep toast notification. But, right now, it needs to reload the whole app to open just the chat.
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Tapping the toast to re-open the chat is the correct behavior here. I guess it's just bad coding that makes it take so long to resume; it should just be able to go straight to the conversation and skip all the "loading contacts...connecting" stuff.
JVH3 said:
Was the question not about Windows Phone 8?
Windows Phone 8 is supposed to behave differently, since true background processing is supposed to be enabled. I haven't played with the SDK yet, but I suspect that for non recompiled apps, things will behave as they do on Mango.
But, I think that things changed to target WinRT and set to be able to run in the background will be able to resume right where you left off.
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Click to collapse
Are you sure you're not thinking of Windows 8? For Windows Phone 8, no changes have been announced regarding multitasking or background tasks, *except* that a few select APIs (VOIP, location) will be able to run in the background, similar to iOS (not true backgrounding like Android)
Also we are talking about resuming, not background processing. In the WP8 SDK emulator, apps built into the OS don't resume; Therefore it's safe to assume 3rd party apps are not going to either.
JVH3 said:
It wouldn't make sense for an app that is running and processing things in the background to restart when the tile is pressed.
It's been a while since I used Mango or wrote any apps for it. But, when an app is suspended, the dev has a specified amount of time to save the state.
That way when it is relaunched, the app can resume where it left off, by processing the saved state on launch. I thought with fast resume the app stayed in memory, but that was done through a registry hack and not directly made available by any carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When an app is closed the developer is meant to save the state, so that it can be reloaded if it is quick-resumed. However, once the app leaves the backstack (the 5 apps that appear in when you hold the back-button), this state is supposed to be discarded.
This is not a technical issue; it would be trivial for app developers to save the state and make their apps resume. The issue is that Microsoft's publishing guidelines (to get your app published on the WP app store) specifically says that an app launched from the home screen must launch showing it's introduction page, i.e. it can't resume. It could save some state, so a web-browser could still have all the recent tabs open, but it couldn't show the last one seen (ironically IE9 does resume it's state - guess Microsoft are allowed to break their own guidelines).
I agree it doesn't make sense to restart an app that is performing some background task; but then how to you avoid users getting stuck within a certain page, as in my example above? If WP8 includes a hardware back button, they can't change this policy.
Well, thats a shame. I hate reloading the app everytime I need it. Its so meaningless. I dont need VOIP, I dont need Skype running all the time. But I do need apps to be fast.
It really depends on how exactly the developers save their app state when the app is sent to background/tombstoned.
I, for one, use a text file to save data ( a lot of data) and proceed to loading the app as usual, and the moment the user presses a button, a pop up asks him weather he wants to restore or start anew.
I'm guessing that not every app will do this, as it is up to the developer to implement this.

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