One of the new features in Apple’s iOS 9 OS is a new picture-in-picture mode. This innovative feature allows you to view a video or have a FaceTime call on your iPad while simultaneously viewing other content on your device. This multitasking capability is designed to enhance user experience by allowing seamless interaction with multiple applications at once.
The iOS 9 picture-in-picture mode currently supports Apple’s video applications or videos that are played through Apple’s Safari browser. This means that users can watch a movie, follow a tutorial, or chat with friends via FaceTime without having to pause their activities to switch between apps. This feature is particularly useful for those who like to multitask, such as watching a cooking video while browsing a recipe or having a video call while checking emails.
Expanding Picture-in-Picture Mode
Now, developer Adam Bell has taken this feature a step further. He has hacked the picture-in-picture mode in Apple’s new mobile OS to essentially allow you to display anything in this mode. In the video below, we can see the game Doom running in the picture-in-picture mode. This demonstrates the potential for a wide range of applications beyond just video and FaceTime.
According to Adam Bell, this was accomplished without any jailbreaking. He used the public API to enable this feature in iOS 9. This is significant because it shows that developers can leverage existing tools provided by Apple to enhance and expand the functionality of iOS features. Bell’s hack opens up possibilities for developers to create more versatile and creative applications that can run in picture-in-picture mode.
iOS 9’s Picture-in-Picture mode is super boring, so I made it play @DOOM instead! 😀 (Done with public API!) https://t.co/fctrnls5w3
— Adam Bell (@b3ll) June 16, 2015
Future Implications and Release
Apple is expected to release iOS 9 sometime in September along with the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus smartphones. The introduction of picture-in-picture mode is just one of the many new features that users can look forward to. This feature, along with others, is part of Apple’s ongoing effort to improve user experience and provide more functionality within their devices.
The ability to run applications like Doom in picture-in-picture mode could have broader implications for how we use our devices. For instance, educational apps could use this feature to allow students to watch instructional videos while taking notes or completing exercises. Business professionals could benefit from having a video conference call open while working on a presentation or document. The entertainment industry could also see new ways to engage users by allowing them to watch content while interacting with related apps.
The picture-in-picture mode in iOS 9 is a promising feature that enhances multitasking capabilities on Apple devices. Adam Bell’s hack demonstrates the potential for this feature to be expanded beyond its initial scope, offering exciting possibilities for developers and users alike. As we await the official release of iOS 9, it will be interesting to see how this and other new features are adopted and utilized in everyday use.
Source Adam Bell / Twitter, 9 to 5 Mac
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