Multitasking

Multitasking is a feature that appears throughout The Sims series, although it was first heavily developed and expanded in The Sims 4, of which it was one of the advertised new features along with emotions and the gallery.

Multitasking Sims can perform two or more tasks simultaneously. Examples range from simple things such as resting on a bed while reading a book or having a conversation while dining, up to complex piled-up interactions such as running on a treadmill, talking with another Sim and watching television all at once.

Interactions
In The Sims 2, a Sim might read a newspaper when using the toilet. In The Sims 2 (console), the Sim using a toilet can be direct to "Play (a video) Game" (presumambly on the handheld game device) or "Read Magazine".

In The Sims 3 and The Sims 4, Sims can use a handheld phone while on a chair, sofa or couch. They can even use it while on a toilet.

In The Sims 4 Sim can talk to another Sim while preparing a meal, moonlighting on a bar, sitting on furniture or the edge of a pool, running on a treadmill, and when using a computer.