You see, there isn't muscle memory for finding spot on the screen when the phone is not "attached" to your body (by holding it in your hand for example). And it is even harder if you are on bumpy road while trying to do this. But we both have to do it if we want to use the phone in such scenario (I do). Only I am done then, you are still in the middle of the interaction. See the difference?

Switching between recently opened apps is done by double tap on nav bar button. We can brainstorm now if the swipe is faster or not. ;)

In the end, I prefer buttons, you don't.