Simplexity: A new app switcher for iOS (jailbreak only)

Posted by Aaron Souppouris on February 7, 2012 02:21 am 12

Just thought I'd let you guys in on a new addition to my life - Simplexity, a new App switcher for iOS devices. My test device was a jailbroken iPhone 4S running 5.0.1

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For me, Apple's multitasking UI is in need of a massive overhaul. Multifl0w makes things prettier, but doesn't manage apps correctly, failing to see many apps that have been paused, and in the end causing more hassle than good. Zephyr brings the meego app-switching paradigm to iOS, and while I love to play with it, it's not really useful if you have more than a couple of apps open.

Simplexity takes a different approach to multitasking, and does so without stepping wildly out of Apple's regular user experience. A double tap on the home button brings up the switcher.

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Any app that would usually be in the switcher bar appears in a vertical column overlay. A tap will open any of your currently loaded apps, and to close an app, just slide the icon across the screen.

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Simplexity also uses 'Switcher Loader," which adds a little extra functionality.

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Slide over the next screen (As you would in Springboard), and you'll find some useful toggles, and a shortcut to your dock. Unfortunately, it can't display in-dock folders, which is all my dock consists of, so it was slightly useless to me. I'll be sticking with SBSettings for my toggles for now, as I like its integration with the notification center.

As you would to close the regular switcher, tap the home button once, or anywhere on the screen, and you'll be returned to the homescreen.

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That's all! It's very simple, but so far I've found it a quick, effective way to multitask on iOS. There are also extensive color options, allowing you to change to any hue/transparency levels, so if you're a themer you'll likely be able to match the overlay to suit your mood.

Simplexity is available from Cydia for $2.99 - A little steep as it doesn't offer too much extra functionality, but still a full $2 cheaper than mutlifl0w, and on par with Zephyr. It gets a big thumbs-up from me - what do you use to switch apps on your jailbroken phone?