During its WWDC 2022 opening keynote, Apple presented the future features of iPads, which will be upgraded to iPadOS 16 by the end of the year.
Since 2019, iPads have moved away from iPhones: they no longer run iOS, but iPadOS – a dedicated operating system, to better optimize the tablet format, while exploiting the increased power (the Pro and Air versions are equipped with an M1 chip, as a reminder). In 2022, iPads will upgrade to iPadOS 16, the main new features of which were presented at WWDC 2022.
Will iPadOS 16 further refine the boundary between an iPad and a Mac? This is the question everyone is asking. We will have to see how we use it, but the big change first concerns better application management, with an office mode more focused on productivity.
Like iOS 16, iPadOS 16 will first launch as a public beta, before rolling out to the general public at the end of the year.
The 4 new features for the iPad thanks to iPadOS 16
A (real?) office mode
Apple is gradually trying to make the iPad a real substitute for the MacBook – especially since the tablet is equipped with the M1 chip. With iPadOS 16, the multinational wants to transform the ecosystem with several features from a desktop experience (read: a computer). The iPads will thus be able to play on their pixel density to display more things on the screen.
Reworked multitasking, thanks to Stage Manager
Apple intends to completely overhaul the way applications are displayed on the screen. How ? By constantly showing which ones are currently in use, making multitasking easier. You can create several groups of applications, all accessible on the same window, with a flexibility never seen before. It’s really stunning and, in terms of productivity, the contribution seems enormous. And, of course, there will be better management of an external monitor, with precise management of windows and their size. Yes, it feels like macOS.
Collaboration
With the collaborative feature, the idea is to encourage collaboration on files, without going through the tedious step of sharing. The document is linked to an iMesssage conversation or FaceTime activity, so all participants can take action. In a future where teleworking will be more and more popular, Collaboration is relevant: fluidity.
Then, with the new Freeform application, Apple intends to provide a tool for sharing collaborative workspaces native to the Apple ecosystem. Several people will be able to work together on projects and add ideas, texts, drawings and photos in real time.
Weather app
It’s an application that gives… the weather forecast. Yes, it is revolutionary. We will tell you more in a dedicated article.