Apple announced its next-generation operating systems today, and we’ve already looked at what’s new in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura. So let’s now turn our attention to the iPadOS 16, which, as you might expect, has many similarities to iOS 16 and gets many of the same features. However, there are some iPad-specific things, and perhaps nothing more interesting than the new multi-tasking Stage Manager experience.
It only works on iPads powered by Apple’s M1 chipset, and automatically organizes apps and windows. It also allows you to create overlapping windows of different sizes in one view, drag and drop windows from the side, or open applications from the docking station to create groups of applications for faster multitasking when you need them.
iPadOS 16 Stage Manager
The window you’re currently working on is prominently displayed in the center, while other open apps and windows are sorted to the left in order of relevance. Stage Manager also unlocks full support for an external display with a resolution of up to 6K. If you connect your M1 iPad to an external monitor this way, you’ll be able to work with up to four iPad apps and four apps on the external display at the same time.
External display support for iPadOS 16
Going forward, there’s a new Freeform Collaboration app on iPadOS 16 that boasts a “flexible canvas.” Allows you to view, share and collaborate all in one place without worrying about page layouts and sizes, and fully supports Apple Pencil. This is a real-time collaboration canvas and “later this year” will allow people to start a FaceTime session and see updates from others in the messaging thread.
The Mail app now gives you time to cancel sending a message, and you can also schedule emails. The app will notify you if you forgot to include an attachment or recipient, there is a new feature that will remind you later of certain messages, and sent emails are moved to the top of your inbox for quick follow-up. The new search gives you better results by correcting typos and using synonyms for search words, and also comes with a richer view of contacts and shared content.
The mail app on iPadOS 16 gets improved search
Safari gets shared partition groups so people can collaborate on a set of partitions with friends and see instant updates. You can also share bookmarks, not just tabs, but start a conversation in Safari. Tab groups have special homepages that can be customized with a background image, bookmarks, and some unique sections that anyone can view and edit.
Safari shared partition groups in iPadOS 16
Safari also supports access keys charged by Apple as “an easier and more secure login method designed to replace network and application passwords.” These are unique digital keys stored on the iPad and specific to the sites you create them for. Because they are never stored on a server, they cannot be stolen. You can access websites or apps with your access key by scanning the QR code with your iPad and then using Face ID or Touch ID for authentication.
The Weather app arrives on the iPad with iPadOS 16, and Siri can automatically launch application shortcuts, insert emojis when sending messages, and process more types of requests offline. The Home app has a whole new design and adds support for Matter, a new standard for smart home connectivity that allows accessories to work together seamlessly across platforms. Notes can automatically straighten your handwriting, and you can lock personal notes with your iCloud password.
Finally, the iPadOS 16 has a color accuracy reference mode that allows the 12.9-inch iPad Pro to “meet color requirements in workflows such as review and approval, color grading and compositing.” Enlarging the display allows you to increase the pixel density of the display, and swapping virtual memory uses storage to expand the available memory by up to 16 GB.
Reference mode in iPadOS 16
Like iOS 16, iPadOS 16 will be released today in a developer preview form, with an open beta available next month. iPadOS 16 will be available this fall as a free upgrade for iPad (5th generation and newer), iPad mini (5th generation and newer), iPad Air (3rd generation and newer) and all iPad Pro models.
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