Do you use floating apps on your smartphone?

posted by Daniel P. / May 15, 2014, 9:21 AM

Do you use floating apps on your smartphone?

Envious that some Samsung and LG phone owners can split their screens in two, and use two apps at the same time with the Multi-window and Dual Window modes, or detach the video playback in a hovering window? Fret not, as most major Android user interface overlays now offer the "floating apps" function, like Sony's Small Apps suite, Huawei's Suspend regime, LG's QSlide apps, Samsung's Pop-up View mode, and so on.

These let you pin notes, browser, calendar, video player, calculator and other resizable windowed apps on top of everything else, aiding multitasking with your handset significantly, especially if you have a larger display. Well, Android's versatility is here to help, too, even if you don't own a device whose stock interface supports hovering apps. There are 3rd party apps and mods out there that allow you to "float" videos, a note list, calculator, even browser windows and whatnot, above anything else you are doing underneath.

Needless to say, this aids significantly with multitasking on your handset or tablet, as it lets you see and do more things at once. While not exactly a multi-window mode, "floating" apps can certainly come in handy at various situations, so we wanted to ask you if you use such applications on a regular or semi-regular basis, or if at all.

Do you use floating apps on your smartphone?

Yes, I often use my phone maker's stock "floating" apps suite and/or third party ones

24.27%

I use "floating" apps every now and then

29.91%

I've never used "floating" apps

45.83%

Options

52 Comments

1. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

TouchWiz's multitasking, FTW !

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:25 AM 18

2. ArtSim98

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

Windows 8.1 multitasking FTW lol yeeh I know it's not for phones-

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:29 AM 10

8. tech2

lol....Does anyone even use those Windows apps on a full fledged Windows ? I haven't even once went to the RT on my Windows 8.1

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:05 AM 2

49. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

I actually use them... I use them even more now that you can pin them to the taskbar in desktop mode... But, yes.. The start screen is awesome, and I use the Metro apps all the time.. You'd be crazy not to.

posted on May 16, 2014, 8:06 AM 0

30. jaytai0106

Posts: 1888; Member since: Mar 30, 2011

Window 7 with duel monitor FTW :P That's true multitasking there haha

posted on May 15, 2014, 1:28 PM 1

31. ArtSim98

You know what's even better? Windows 8 with TRIPLE MONITOR. lolol both are great :)

posted on May 15, 2014, 1:34 PM 1

39. Dastrix unregistered

Nothing beats PC when it comes to multi-taking, gaming, and using an electronic device. xD

posted on May 15, 2014, 4:39 PM 1

11. josephnero

Posts: 782; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

I loved sony;s small apps.

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:31 AM 8

15. Sauce unregistered

Sonys small Asian what?

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:47 AM 2

45. techperson211

Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

Being racist?

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:09 PM 1

35. BattleBrat

Posts: 1476; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

One of my favorite things about the Xperia tablet S

posted on May 15, 2014, 2:21 PM 0

24. The13thKing

Posts: 849; Member since: Feb 26, 2014

Yes, on my Mega 6.3 multitasking is AMAZING.

posted on May 15, 2014, 11:59 AM 3

3. BattleBrat

Hell yeah, but I also use third party floating apps like Floating Widget, OverSkreen Browser, etc..

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:30 AM 3

4. jaytai0106

I rarely use them on my Z2, bc I always forget they are there XD

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:30 AM 2

46. techperson211

Very useful app.

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:10 PM 0

5. wargreymon

Posts: 764; Member since: Nov 05, 2013

I use the calculator in G2 pretty often.

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:34 AM 3

6. buccob

Posts: 2973; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

I have been using them always, and getting more compatible small apps.... Even the couple of third party non-small apps I found a Small App Shortcut that makes it accessible natively like Sony's floaters.... Most frequently used small apps: - Flashlight - Browser (excelent for opening links on top of Facebook or Twitter) - Calculator - Shortcut to third party "Floating Translator" for when Im browsing or reading and I don't want to leave the current app... - Walkman Music (it adds virtual volume and give priority when using RAM intensive apps). Also works great on top of Waze - Notes - Task Manager (it shows how much CPU / Memory the current app uses in the foreground without having to leave it) In my small screen phone (4.3") floating apps make MUCH more sense than split screen... so I really do not envy touchwiz multi windows... And probably most people voting against this poll are samsung users

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:45 AM 7

7. CX3NT3_713

Posts: 2359; Member since: Apr 18, 2011

They are just another gimmick

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:54 AM 3

9. sgodsell

Posts: 7430; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

How is using a spreadsheet or document and then using a calculator at the same time a gimmick? Well its not. What about watching a video and then browsing the web at the same time a gimmick? People will say things are gimmicks if they don't have it, or never used it.

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:24 AM 9

16. Sauce unregistered

Tell me how productive you'll be on a small a** 5 inch phone making a spreadsheet, compared to a laptop/desktop with an actual physical calculator or in combo with the one built into your phone. Tell me why you want to "watch" a video, but browse, or "watch" the web at the same time. G I M M I C K WHAT DOES THAT SPELL?! GIMMICK :D

posted on May 15, 2014, 10:50 AM 4

19. AntiFanBoyz unregistered

G I M M I C K WHAT DOES THAT SPELL?! SAUCE :D Dangit, I don't know how to spell. Seriously though, I use floating apps on my Note 3 (5.7" screen) every single day. I'm out seeing clients most of the day, so being able to update/reference spreadsheets is vital since I don't want to lug a laptop around. And, there's no way I'm carrying an "actual physical calculator"... I mean who even owns those anymore??? I also usually have the floating app running for contacts (need my see client info often), phone, messaging, and voice memos. So, I dunno. Is gimmick an objective universal designation? Or can something be a gimmick to one person and not to another. Either way, these multi-tasking capabilities are certainly not a gimmick to me, and they are *must haves* for any smart phone I purchase.

posted on May 15, 2014, 11:21 AM 7

26. Sauce unregistered

On my iPhone, I just use gestures to open the apps I want to use. Ill draw it out on the screen quick, or any other custom gesture I want to assign. I just keep switching back and forth after both are open using a specific gesture to switch between both apps quick. I find it easier and faster than floaters. I don't use spreadsheets like you, but I use this kind of method for other scenarios quite similar. Also, floating apps are a big mess imo. I like clean looking interfaces

posted on May 15, 2014, 12:13 PM 1

34. buccob

Sony's small app (specially the ones made from sony itself) are really clean looking, unobtrusive and it is way better than going back and forth... See my example (I wish I could put screenshots so you would understand)... I read webpage in english most of the time, but there are some words I do not know since it is not my native language... so sometimes I have a Floating Translator open in a tiny window on top of the article I am reading.. if I am not using it it goes to a compact mode as small as an app icon... and when I click on it I use it at 1/4 of my screen... so I can copy/paste the word, or type it... and keep reading without leaving the article to look for Google Translate or other apps... The other example is using Twitter or Facebook, from where I usually click on links... and I choose to open them on floating browser... this way I can continue reading Twitter or FB and looking for my next link while the floating browser loads..... taking 1/2 of the screen size... and I can maximize with a double click... FINALLY I WILL GIVE THIS AS BONUS INFO to fellow Sony users... (and Samsung has a similar better option)... You can use your HDMI or MHL connection to play a movie on a big screen... in my example I do it for my son so he can watch some cartoons... and at the same time I want to browse... Well with a Sony device you can go to HDMI settings (on the notification bar when it is plugged) and select the output to "Fine" this way it will not be able to show subtitles on the TV... BUT will also hide new windows... so you can open Floating apps like Browser on top of the movie without interrupting... The movie will continue to play on TV full screen without showing any floating apps For Samsung devices you can do even more... simply dettaching the video into Pop-up form while using MHL will continue Full Screen on the TV but you can use the rest of the phone with a tiny video PIP on it... Enjoy!

posted on May 15, 2014, 2:13 PM 5

36. Sauce unregistered

Very good example Buccob. Everyone has their own situational use per se so more power to you :) In my situation, gestures and "team play" gestures are more useful on my 5s and iPad than floaters. Definitely useful usage for you though

posted on May 15, 2014, 2:38 PM 2

42. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Yes! We can do the switching back and forth like what you do using the stupid way and the only way for iOS. LOL!!!

posted on May 15, 2014, 6:54 PM 1

51. BlackhawkFlys

Posts: 924; Member since: May 07, 2014

Gestures? Gimmick

posted on May 17, 2014, 6:24 AM 0

20. CX3NT3_713

Well said

posted on May 15, 2014, 11:24 AM 2

22. BlackhawkFlys

Probably some Jealous Apple or Nokia Fanboy

posted on May 15, 2014, 11:39 AM 0

44. Arte-8800

Posts: 4562; Member since: Mar 13, 2014

He is a pure hater of Android cause he's beloved platform wp is dead and Nokia WP has declined 30% lmfao

posted on May 15, 2014, 9:20 PM 1

23. SellPhones82

Posts: 569; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Says the same guy that said he had split-screen on this 3.5 inch 3GS! Lol How productive was that for you? Had to be like running full blown app on a Galaxy Gear...