How does multitasking on ICS actually work?

[skyshadow]

I have been wondering this ever since I got my nexus. We have the button to swap between apps but sometimes the app will no longer be open. Also when you remove the app from that list it doesn't actually close it (you still have to go into the apps menu under settings and force close it. Could anyone explain this to me so I get a better understanding?

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[sbenson]

Yeah, so the recent app button is just that. It only displays your recent apps. Even if you close an app (I don't mean force close), it will still be displayed in your recent apps. You can swipe away apps but this does not close them, it only removes them from the list. The only way to close an app is to force close it, but this is definitely not recommended. Let ICS manage your apps.

 

[skyshadow]

OK I think I understand a little better so it manages task just like froyo and gingerbread did?

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[sbenson]

OK I think I understand a little better so it manages task just like froyo and gingerbread did?

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Pretty much, now it just has a dedicated button.

 

[skyshadow]

So as always there is no need for a task killer

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[dezymond]

So as always there is no need for a task killer

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Exactly

 

[sbenson]

Exactly

Task killers are the devil.

 

[DF Smod]

Task killers are the devil.

Very true

 

[Liderc]

You may also be confusing multi-threading with multi-tasking. Multi-threading is when the OS can take advantage of multiple cores, which has been a benefit of ICS. If you were in fact talking about ICS multi-tasking then ignore this.

 

[prowler85]

Another recommended method to close an app is to hit the back button until you are back at the home screen. This actually closes the app. Works for most apps very well except for the browser (probably works for the browser as well, it could just take forever as the back button obviously takes you back a page and, if you're like me, there could be a LOT of pages until it closes).