Got an iPad? Now you can reveal the multitasking bar, switch from one app to another, and zip back to the home screen faster than ever, all thanks to three new “multitouch” gestures in the latest version of Apple’s mobile software.

The three gestures are all part of the massive iOS 5 update; just sync your iPad with iTunes to begin the update process (which, by the way, seems to be running much more smoothly following last week’s initial train wreck).

Update (11-10-11): Thanks to the just-released iOS 5.0.1 update, you can now use these new gestures (which initially worked only on the iPad 2) on the original iPad.

So, ready to give the new gestures a whirl? Here we go…

1. Flick up for multitasking
Want quick access to the iPad’s multitasking bar at the bottom of the screen, without having to double-tap the Home button? Just make a claw with your fingers, flick up on the screen with four (or five) fingertips and voilà—the multitasking bar should appear. Tap an icon to switch to a different application, or flick down again to hide the multitasking bar.

2. Switch from one app to another
Next up: you can now cycle through all your running applications, no multitasking bar required. Do the claw thing again with your fingers, the swipe from left to right (or right to left, your choice) with four fingertips. The current app will slide off the screen, to be smoothly replaced by the next one in line.

Just swipe with four fingertips from side to side to switch from one app to another.

3. “Pinch” your way home
You’re never more than a tap away from the iPad’s home screen thanks to the ever-present Home button. But if you’ve been longing for a new way Home, try this; place all five of your fingertips on the iPad display, and then “pinch” them together. Zip! You’re back on the home screen.

Pinch your fingertips together to squeeze an app into the background and return to the home screen.

Are the new gestures not working for you—or would you rather just disable them? Tap Settings, General, scroll down to Multitasking Gestures, then tap the switch On or Off.

Tagged as: iOS 5, iPad