Apple took advantage of the WWDC 2022 to present iPadOS 16, the new operating system for iPad which will offer more collaboration and finally improved multitasking, in addition to the set of features powered by iOS 16.
The iPad has, for some time now, its own operating system with iPadOS, which offers an interface adapted to the large screen of the touch pad.
Stage Center improves multitasking and support for external displays
With iPadOS 16, Apple improves what constitutes the main black point of the user experience offered by the iPad: its multitasking. Rigid, limited to two applications (plus one floating), the system has been reviewed several times without ever fully convincing us.
For iPads equipped with the SoC M1, iPadOS 16 introduces Stage Manager, a feature that will also be present on the next macOS Ventura and which accredits the idea of an increasingly meaningful rapprochement between the Mac and the iPad.
By switching to Stage Manager mode, the application used will be placed in the center of the screen while the other open software will be grouped in a menu on the left. Simply click on another application to swap their position.
Stage Manager will also allow placing two applications as floating windows and resizing them. The operating system will automatically reorganize the software, and, Apple obliges, it will not be possible to manage your desktop as you see fit.
This new mode will also be compatible with an external screen. All the software will be displayed both on the iPad screen and on the monitor in order to switch from one to the other and multiply the open windows.
This feature will apparently be reserved for iPads equipped with an M1 processor, i.e. the iPad Pro 2021 and the iPad Air 2022.
Finally a Weather application on iPad!
We no longer expected it but finally Apple has listened to the requests of its entire community and will offer with iPadOS 16 a Weather application for its tablet.
The interface will be modeled on that of iOS 16 and will offer a complete view displaying temperatures, weather conditions, forecasts for the next few hours and air quality. It was time !
More collaboration features for professionals
iPadOS 16 introduces a new Collaboration mode in its home office applications like Pages or Numbers. The sharing window offers a new option to share a document but also to make it immediately editable by the entire selected group. A button also allows you to initiate a FaceTime call or send a message directly from the application. It is also possible to share a group of tabs via Safari, accessible from all participants.
Apple also presented an application which will be available in the coming months and called FreeForm. This software for iPadOS is a whiteboard, accessible from a FaceTime call. Inside it is possible to draw, annotate and write with the Apple Pencil but also to add photos, videos, PDF files and more. The document is fully collaborative and accessible to all of your colleagues.
Ever more complete applications that are closer to a Mac experience
Many system applications such as Calendar, Files or Photos to name a few will be enriched with new options but also with a customizable menu bar.
A Undo/Redo feature will appear on all iPad software, but also the lists in Contacts as well as the merging of records in the event of a duplicate. It will also be possible to change the extension of a file, or to see the size of a folder in the Files application.
The other additions of iPadOS 16
iPadOS 16 will allow iPad M1s to change the pixel density to see more onscreen and will be handy for multitasking.
Mail is finally catching up and enriched with a more advanced and predictive search engine. The inbox allows you to cancel shipments, schedule your emails in advance and get reminders so you don’t forget to answer your most urgent emails. The software can also identify if you forgot to attach an attachment to your email before sending.
The Game Center dashboard has been overhauled and Apple has added a new menu called Activity, which lets you monitor your friends’ progress so you don’t get left behind in your favorite game. SharePlay also integrates into games to launch a game and a video call at the same time with a loved one. Apple also talked about the launch of Metal 3, its new graphics API to improve the visual quality of titles through intelligent upscaling and support for higher frame rates.
iPadOS 16 will be available at the start of the school year and a public beta will be available from July.
Source: Apple
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