Your new iPad—and old too, with iOS 4.3—has a new hidden feature that Apple doesn’t want you to know about: Extra multi-touch gestures that completely changes the iPad experience—for the best.
New iPad hidden gestures
• Swipe four or five fingers—to the left or to the right—to navigate through open applications.
• Swipe four fingers up to access the running apps tray and playback buttons, including Airplay controls.
• Pinch with all your fingers to go to the home screen from any app, without touching your home button.
For example: With a simple hand swipe, to the left or right, you will be able to navigate through running applications. Once you try it, you won’t be able to go back.
Sadly, Apple doesn’t want you to use these features—yet. They could have included the switch in the general preferences for everyone, but right now they are only available for developers, so they can give feedback.
It will “only” cost you $US99
The good news is that you can activate them and it’s really easy to do: It only takes one click. The bad news is that you have to be a developer to do it or have a developer friend. If you are student, you can get a developer membership for free.
Otherwise, you need to enroll in the Apple iOS developer program for $US99. That will give you the security credentials and Xcode 4. After you get those, here’s how to do it:
1. Download Xcode 4 and install it.
2. Connect your iPad to your computer. It will appear in the devices window.
3. Click on the “Use for development” button—enter your iOS developer credentials in the dialog box.
4. Once the activation is completed, go to your iPad general preferences menu and turn on the new multi-gestures.
That’s all. Your $US99 multitasking gestures are ready to be enjoyed. Alternatively, you can wait until the jailbreak for the new iOS 4.3, which will allow you to activate this feature for free with a simple app.
Hopefully, it will come out soon.