Apple had its annual WWDC in Cupertino this year and, as expected, announced many new features for one of the best-selling tablet lines in the world. Three years ago, Apple separated iPadOS from iOS to better focus on the larger form factor. Now, Apple has released a number of new features for iPadOS 16, such as a new weather app, Stage Manager multitasking and more.
Craig Federighi noted that Apple wants to “create a different experience based on the best of iOS such as security, mobility and an intuitive touch interface with powerful macOS capabilities such as multitasking and trackpad support. Combined with features such as “Apple Pencils that are exclusively for the iPad. All of this comes together to make our device more versatile.” We’ve already done that, so here are all the new features built into iPadOS 16.
IPadOS Release Date and Availability 16
Developers can start testing the latest betas immediately, as they became available immediately after the event. If you are a registered developer, you can download the beta right now. Otherwise, the public betas will be launched in July. The final version of the software is usually available during the Apple Fall event. You can safely take a period of time from September to October.
It will be available for the following iPad devices:
- iPad (5th – 9th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd – 5th generation)
- iPad Mini (4th and 5th generation)
- iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
What’s New in iPad 16
IOS and macOS enhancements
First, Apple noted that many of the same features it introduced in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura will also come in iPadOS 16. These include a shared photo library, shared tab groups, and passwords in Safari. The shared photo library is an automatic photo library shared between members of your family group that all members of the family have access to to add, edit, or delete photos. Photos can be added automatically by date range or by identifying who is in the photos.
In addition, iPadOS will have shared tab groups and a passwordless login. As previously reported, Microsoft, Google, and Apple are working together to remove passwords whenever possible. Apple is fully embracing the concept in its newest versions of all its platforms.
The weather on the iPad
Apple also introduced a new Weather app on the iPad. The new app will make the most of the big screen and will include live wallpapers that reflect the current weather conditions. Each weather app module can be tapped to provide additional data. Apple is also creating the WeatherKit API for developers to integrate Weather into their iPad apps.
Collaboration on iPadOS 16
Collaboration is sharing an original document in real time so that everyone can work on it at the same time. It’s more like Google Docs, but the good thing is that you can start a collaboration using Messages or FaceTime directly from the sharing sheet. Just select Collaborate and select the conversation you want to share with. This works in both Messages and FaceTime.
You can also share tab groups from Safari to the group. As you do this, you’ll see icons of who’s watching which tab in real time. In addition, Apple is opening up APIs to allow third-party developers to use the collaboration if they want to.
Free form
Apple gave us a preview of a new collaboration application called Freeform. Freeform is a large, slate-like collaborative space where a group can work together using tools similar to those found in Notes with different bruises and sticky notes, photos, and more. It is an infinite space where touch is used to drag the interface. , and pinching to enlarge and reduce.
Metal 3 and other game enhancements
For the first time, iPadOS 16 brings the Metal 3 APIs to the iPad. Apple is looking for iPads to be hardware-accelerated 3D graphics-enabled gaming machines for Metal 3. In addition, Apple has a new API that allows you to download larger asset packs in the background while you play.
With your Game Center account, you can find friends, track progress in various games, and view rankings for various games. While gaming on iOS has largely been the domain of phones, Apple is pushing for more gamers to reach the iPad, and these moves are designed to do just that.
Desktop class applications and system-wide features
Apple is launching a number of desktop and system-wide applications on the iPad. It is an extensive list, but some of the ones presented include Undo / Redo system-wide, Calendar availability display, and the ability to find and combine cards in Contacts. You can also change file extensions and view folder sizes in the Files application.
Apple also launched a search and replacement for the entire system that runs online. Apple added a document menu to Files, Pages, and Keynote that allows you to perform common actions. Finally, Apple added the ability to customize toolbars in some applications that allow you to access your most used tools.
Stage Manager and applications with window on iPadOS 16
Stage Manager is Apple’s new multitasking interface for macOS, and it’s also here on iPadOS 16. Basically, iPadOS 16 lets you create workspaces with overlay windows that can be moved and resized. Stage Manager will then organize your applications into different groups and move them aside so that you can interact with your main task in front and center. It’s a quick way to move between tasks that will make your iPad much better in multitasking. Craig Federighi called it “the foundation for a big leap forward in the user experience. One that can change the way our professional users work on the iPad.”
Reference color
Reference mode is only available on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Professional users need accurate colors to complete their work. According to Federighi, “Reference mode meets color requirements in workflows such as review and approval, color classification, and composition. Where accurate colors and consistent image quality are critical. with sidecar. “
M1 improvements
Finally, there are a number of enhancements designed to take advantage of the M1 processor on higher-end iPads. You can use the screen scale to increase the pixel density of the screen and give you more space to work. You can also use the virtual memory swap, which means you can use your iPad’s memory as virtual RAM for up to 16GB of virtual memory for demanding applications.