With Quasar, jailbroken iPads get Windows

Quasar brings "in the box" thinking to the iPad.

(Credit: Screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET)

So far, true multitasking with the ease of use we came to expect on PCs has been hard to come by on most mobile devices, including the iPad. But a little hack called Quasar that's available for 10 bucks in the Cydia store seems to be the first to bring a decent windowed app management experience to jailbroken iPads.

Quasar brings much of the functionality of Windows to the touch screen 'ahead of the release of Windows 8' -- there's the ability to view multiple apps in windows simultaneously, resize, rearrange, close, or go full-screen. It's never been so easy to get some work done during a FaceTime conversation that's gone on just a bit too long.

Quasar is the product of Brazillian developer Pedro Franceschi, who says he's also working on Bluetooth keyboard support for the hack. Add a Start button and Quasar might just bring Windows to the tablet world via the iPad before Microsoft does.

Here's a video of Quasar in action:

(courtesy:cnet.com)