7 apps that make multitasking on Android a breeze

Argue all you want, Android is pretty great for multitasking. No, we don't think it beats iOS or Windows by a wide margin. What we want to say is that the recent apps menu is still a very convenient way of flying between different apps on a moment's notice. The more RAM your device has, the merrier! Additionally, Android tablets and phablets usually come with the option of running apps side by side, or in floating windows, which further reinforces the feeling of a desktop experiences. It's not quite the same, of course, but for basic everyday tasks, it sure goes a long way. With all this in mind, here's a bunch of apps we can use to augment and customize the Android multitasking experience. Give any of these a go, and thank their hard-working developers if you find yourself more productive than usual!

7 apps that make multitasking on Android a breeze

1. Tiny Apps

If you own a Note device, or one of LG's big-screen phablets, you already have reasonably competent multitasking capabilities out of the box. But if your Android shipped with none such, fear not - Tiny Apps will fill that void in good capacity. This is a suite of 12 floating apps that pop-up in small windows and layer themselves on top of your homescreen and applications - just like on a desktop PC, you know! The upgrade in usefulness you'll receive is amazing.

2. SlideControl

This app lets you lock your phone, kill all running apps, switch to a recent app, or open the latest notification with a swipe. You can easily launch apps, shortcuts to contacts, Tasker profiles, bookmarks, and similar goodies. You can also create different SideBars with categories like apps, games, tools; and launch them with a dedicated gesture. It's simple, fast, and efficient!

3. Lazy Swipe

Lazy Swipe is made for convenient access to your favorite apps, settings, and incoming notifications. Just swipe from your screen's bottom left or right corner on any screen to instantly open a customizable radial menu that's within a thumb's reach. Lazy Swipe stays hidden and out of your way until you swipe it into view to use it. It also anticipates and organizes your apps based upon importance and your past usage behavior. It lets you arrange up to 9 of your favorite apps to always be within your reach, or access commonly used shortcuts and switches.

4. Last App Switcher

So you are browsing the internet and a message arrives. Normally, you would minimize your browser, open the chatting application, and reply to the message. Then press the recent apps button, find your browser, tap on it, and then continue browsing, huh! Suddenly, another message arrives! Install Last App Switcher and you will be able to switch the two like you switch between TV channels -"tap", chatting, "tap", browsing. Nice, huh? That's not all, though - SAL has more quick, productive shortcuts. Swipe up from home key or press the search shortcut to switch to the last app. Or use a movable app switcher button floating above all your apps.

5. Link Bubble Browser

When you tap a link in an app, Link Bubble loads that webpage in the background and switch to it when you feel like it, rather than waste your precious time watching a page load. Once the page has fully loaded, it will animate on screen. The app's flick physics let you drag a link to share it, or add it to a service such as Pocket very fast!
It also locates embedded YouTube videos on web pages and provides a shortcut to load those videos directly in the YouTube app. Such joy!

6. C Floating

C Floating is not a programming language, but rather an intuitive multitasking solution that allows you to assign any of your favorite widgets to its individual floating Windowpane. Each window floats on top of all other applications, letting you interact with multiple applications and widgets at a time. Resize and position each individual floating window to your likings. Keep track of your favorite Shortcuts and Recent Applications, and conveniently launch them with the Floating Sidebars on top of any other application.

7. Switchr

Swipe in from the edge, make your selection, and let go! This is how Switchr works. It actually has three different visual styles (Flow, Slide, and Arc), each with it's own unique way of displaying your chosen recent/running/favorite apps. With live switching, you can switch between apps in real time as you swipe! Switchr can also replace your default search action, letting you switch between apps using the search key, or by swiping up from the navigation bar. You can also pin your favorite apps and rearrange the order to your liking.