Switching between different applications or screens on our smartphones can often feel like a tedious chore, and winding through a maze of menus is hardly better. U.S. patent application number US20230359315A1 unveils Apple's proposed solution to this issue that might help to address these inconveniences.
The average smartphone user often finds accessing status information and controlling various features a bit tricky. With a multitude of applications, keeping an eye on multiple updates can be tough, let alone responding to them. Imported screens sometime completely eclipse the previous one and we are constantly forced to navigate back and forth. This process not only slows us down but also savages battery life.
Apple's proposed solution aims to conserve battery power while making application management faster and more efficient. It is akin to maintaining a special mirror that reflects the status of all your apps, even when they are not on display. Imagine closing an app, but still seeing its relevant status information or notifications in a dedicated space. This would allow you to switch to another screen or application while simultaneously keeping track of the first app's status.
What does this mean for us? Well, for instance, consider using video-chatting software like Facetime on your iPhone. Suppose you're waiting for a friend to join your call but want to check a newly arrived email in the meantime. Typically, you would exit Facetime, open your email, and then return to Facetime to check if your friend has joined. In this scenario, you need to completely switch between the apps.
With this new patent, when you switch to your email, you might still see a small Facetime window or notification viewing the status of your video call. This could significantly streamline your multi-tasking experience making it less laborious and more efficient.
This exciting evolution may potentially open doors to a new world that is not just limited to business or tech-savvy people. Everyday users, say, a mother juggling between a recipe app and a baby monitor, or a stockbroker switching between different data sources while retaining crucial activity notifications, could benefit as much, if not more.
However, in the spirit of honesty and transparency, it should be remembered that this is merely a patent as of now. There is no guarantee that such a feature will be incorporated in future Apple devices or in when this feature might hit the market.