Multitasking

[phin586]

Is there a way to enable multitasking?

[Jayenkai]

It's a console, not a computer.

[baxy]

There is a setting in advanced settings along the lines of only allowing one app at a time in developer settings I think

[Jawdy]

One big factor of OUYA's redesigned Android build is to provide more of the system resources to the current game - so whilst technically, yes, you can have it (as it's Android), you're likely to suffer poor experiences with some of the games.

That also begs the bigger question: what are you trying to achieve?

[Hydrus]

It's a console, not a computer.

Consoles are computers too. Even phones, believe it or not. Here's a reference video.




Now I'm wondering the same thing. What's the setting called? The settings on the OUYA are messy. I want to see if I can play games and listen to music at the same time. I found this video but it's from last year.

[Hugo]

From what I've read, the OUYA has multitasking disabled, and when an app isn't running, it's closed for the sake of performance. There may be some limited functionality here though, like allowing XBMC to play music while doing something else. I haven't tested it, but in theory, here's how it works:

Go to MANAGE, then SYSTEM, then ADVANCED. Scroll almost all the way down to the bottom of this list and select { } Developer options. Scroll all the way down, and you should see Don't keep activities as the third-to-last option. Uncheck this box, and then start experimenting.

Again, I do believe that the OUYA has intentionally bottlenecked what you're going to be able to do despite this option, but with some experimentation, you should be able to determine what two apps will run at the same time, if any.

These directions are for an unrooted OUYA. A rooted console may have more options, but I'm inexperienced in that regard.

[baxy]

I use xbmc Gotham launcher and with this unchecked some ouya apps can be launched from within xbmc and then when exiting I am returned to xbmc without xbmc restarting

[phin586]

I like to use my ouya as a squeezebox. I would like to also be able to use xbmc with this launchedin the background. I really dont game much on ouya at this time. I mostly use it for xmbc and as an htpc.

The system was somewhat touted as being a dev friendly box, why not let me have my way with it?

[rhester72]

It isn't a general purpose computer, but if you want to run something in the background, uncheck the appropriate box in developer options.

Rodney

[Hugo]

I like to use my ouya as a squeezebox. I would like to also be able to use xbmc with this launchedin the background. I really dont game much on ouya at this time. I mostly use it for xmbc and as an htpc.

The system was somewhat touted as being a dev friendly box, why not let me have my way with it?

It's an open-ended platform, but ultimately, it's still a console with limitations. What I suggested earlier in the thread is no guarantee, but it could help you achieve the functionality that you're seeking.