Split Review
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 5
iPhone Integration Rating:
User Interface Rating:
Re-use Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
Multitasking on iOS has much improved over the years but it's still lacking compared to far too many other options. Split aims to help to an extent, by allowing you to easily split your screen between two web browsers. It's not ideal, being a fairly basic internet browser, but certain situations do mean that it'll be useful.
Opening up the app takes you straight to the action. Either via a landscape view or portrait look, you have two browser windows at your disposal. Each allows you to enter a website address or search via Google for something. They work independently of each other, meaning it's a kind of improved form of tabbed browsing.
You can always see what's going on with the other window, while doing something in the initial browser. It's the kind of thing that's going to lend itself most to looking up addresses, general details, or even figuring out conversions.
You can choose to have multiple tabs open too, although these don't work like in conventional browser. Instead, you switch to them by swiping to the side and using a menu bar to switch around. It's not quite as intuitive as how Chrome or Safari make it possible.
Split's main issue is its lack of bookmarking functionality. It's one of the simplest things any browser could offer and also one of the most essential features, but Split doesn't offer anything like that. That leaves this app as a very situational tool. Something to use briefly rather than for anything long term. At times it's going to be handy, especially while juggling lots of information, but it's doubtful you'll be using it as a direct replacement to more fully-featured browsers.