1. A method implemented by a computing device comprising: detecting an event to initiate a simultask mode that enables user access to multiple applications via respective portions of a graphical user interface for the multiple applications; responsive to detection of the event, activating the simultask mode by: controlling arrangement of the graphical user interface to generate at least: a bladed view in a first portion of the graphical user interface for a first application selected by a gesture input in a vertical direction relative to the graphical user interface, the first portion displaying a compact application representation for the first application having a plurality of application-specific elements arranged according to a bladed view template populated with data derived from metadata associated with the first application; and an expanded view in a second portion of the graphical user interface for a second application selected by an additional gesture input in a horizontal direction relative to the graphical user interface, the second portion displaying the second application; and exposing the bladed view and the expanded view via the graphical user interface to facilitate the user access to the multiple applications.