While there are some very robust multitasking features available such as the iPad’s split-screen mode, we shouldn’t overlook the power of quickly switching between apps. The advantage of fast app switching is that each app gets the full screen.

The easiest way to toggle between two apps is to use the iPad’s dock. You can open the dock at any time by touching a fingertip to the very bottom edge of the screen and then sliding the finger toward the top of the screen, careful not to lift the finger from the screen until the dock and task manager screen is revealed. The three app icons on the far right of the dock will generally be the last three active apps, allowing you to quickly switch between them. You will also see small windows of your most recently used apps.

However, an even faster way of switching between apps is to use the multitasking gestures. These gestures use the tips of four fingers on the screen at the same time. You can quickly switch from one app to the next by sliding these four fingers from left-to-right to switch to the previous app or from right-to-left to switch to the formerly active app.