In a few days, iPhones will receive iOS 16 in the final version. iPads will have to wait a little longer. They will jump straight to iPadOS 16.1, already in beta.
The fate of the iPad has almost always been linked to that of the iPhone. There was a small exception at the very beginning (iOS 4 arrived in June 2010 on iPhones, followed by iOS 4.2 in November 2010 on iPads) but since then Apple’s tablet has always received its updates in Same as iPhones. Why ? Largely because their operating systems are based on the same foundations, despite the emancipation of iPad to iPadOS in 2019. So logic would dictate that iPadOS 16 would arrive at the same time as iOS 16, which should be launched mid-September, just before the iPhone 14.
For the first time, Apple is changing strategy. The Californian brand confirms the rumors released in early August: iPadOS 16 will be released later.
iPadOS 16.1 already in test
Why announce this now, when an Apple keynote is looming for early September? The development of iOS 16 is coming to an end, which means that Apple is releasing more and more beta versions. On August 23, the Californian brand released the seventh preview version of iOS 16, but did not accompany it with a new beta of iPadOS 16. Instead, Apple offered developers to install iPadOS 16.1, which should be released several weeks after iOS 16. The brand confirmed to Techcrunch that iPadOS 16.1 will be the first update of its tablet, deprived of iPadOS 16.0 in September.
“This fall, iPadOS will ship after iOS, as version 16.1 in a free software update. »
Apple at Techcrunch
Why is Apple changing strategy? The most logical track seems to be that of the software delay. Internship Manager, which allows you to use several windows at the same time on iPad, is extremely criticized by the first users. iPadOS 16.1 also brings first changes, which suggests that it is this file that concerns Apple. By leaving itself one more month, Apple hopes to refine the function so as not to make a fiasco at launch.
“This is a particularly important year for iPadOS. As a full-fledged platform with features built specifically for iPad, we have the ability to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. » explains Apple.
Apple: two keynotes at the end of 2022?
When will iPadOS 16.1 be released? Logic would dictate that Apple aligns its release with that of macOS Ventura, which should take place in October if we trust the habits of the brand. We could have two Apple events at the end of the year:
- September 2022 (rumored 7): iOS 16, iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Pro and new AirPods Pro.
- October 2022: iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, new iPad, new iPad Pro, new Macs with M2 chip.
In the future, will iPadOS stall again on iOS? Have. If this delay does not seem to have been planned at the start, Apple could be done at this new rate and bet everything on the iPhone at each start of the school year, to launch the iPad and the Mac at the same time afterwards.