Apple just announced iPadOS 16 at its WWDC keynote. The update promises a lot, because it is packed with new features for your iPad. Read here what’s coming soon!

iPadOS 16 features: everything at a glance

With the new features announced, the iPad appears to be undergoing a transformation. The device is starting to look more and more like a laptop instead of a smartphone. For example, the interface has been renewed and the most important new functions are aimed at multitasking. And those have been available for some time on the Mac , not the iPhone .

Multitasking: Windows, Dock, and External Displays

The use of windows is the main new feature of iPadOS 16 , also known as Stage Manager. This allows you to open apps in separate windows and use other apps at the same time. You can then customize these windows yourself. So you can resize them and drag them anywhere on the screen. Just like on a lap or desktop, so.

The Dock has also given a makeover for this. Open apps will get the same ‘globules’ here after the update, just like on the Mac. This way you can immediately see which apps are activated or not, making multitasking a lot more efficient.

Speaking of multitasking: do you like to use an extra screen with your iPad? So far it has been quite difficult. Fortunately, Stage Manager has also optimized support for external displays. As a result, you can now use up to eight apps at the same time and directly drag elements from one screen to another.

With Stage Manager, however, we have to make one caveat: the feature will only be available on iPads with an M1 chip. In other words, the 12.9 and 11-inch iPad Pro and the 5th generation iPad Air. That sucks for the rest.

To collaborate

While multitasking is key, the collaboration features also excel. Send an invite in a group app in Messages and all attendees can work with you right away in Safari, Notes, Files, Reminders, the iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote), and several third-party apps.

There will also be a new app that really focuses on collaboration, called Freeform. You can make notes, sketches and other files together on a digital whiteboard, including support for the Apple Pencil. Do you and your colleagues regularly work from home? Then this is an app that you won’t be able to do without.

Weather app

You’ve been waiting for this for a long time: the Weather app is finally coming to the iPad! And that includes cool animations, just like you are used to from the iPhone.

Other functions

While multitasking and collaboration are key, many more new features are on the way. It is useful to compose toolbars in certain apps yourself, for example by replacing or moving buttons. And soon you’ll be able to share photo albums with friends or family in Photos with iCloud. This way everyone has direct access to the snapshots of your joint holiday.

The iPad will also get some new features for existing apps, some of which are also coming to iOS 16 . It concerns the following:

  • Game Center will be much more fun for you and your friends as SharePlay is integrated and you can track each other’s activity through the dashboard.
  • Customize sent messages, delete and mark a message as unread in the Messages app. SharePlay now also works in Messages.
  • Reverse sending an email in the Mail app.
  • Dictate and type at the same time in the Dictation app.
  • New features for FaceTime. Switch easily between devices during a FaceTime call with Hand Off. There will also be new accessibility features such as live captioning and 20 additional languages for VoiceOver.
  • Notes will also receive a number of new functions. Think of adding screenshots directly, having handwriting straighten automatically, using your iCloud password to lock notes and improved smart folders.
  • Siri also knows some new tricks. For example, you can carry out assignments, send emojis and ask the voice assistant to end a conversation without any preparatory work.
  • Dictate and type at the same time in the Dictation app.
  • The Home app is getting a new design. Also add more starthome devices to the app with Matter.

iPadOS 16 release date

Can’t you wait to install the update because of all these functions? Then your patience will be tested. Apple has only said that the update will be released this fall, so downloading iPadOS 16 will take a while. Normally, the update is released around September, when the iPhone 14 is also announced. This year we expect the same.

iPadOS 16 beta

If you really can’t wait that long, there’s the iPadOS 16 beta. The new operating system of the iPad will be fully tested in the coming months. In the beginning only by developers, next month anyone can try a public beta that you can install for free. How? You will read that when the time comes.

iPadOS 16: for which iPads?

The newer your iPad, the more likely you’ll eventually be able to download the update. iPadOS 16 will be available for the following iPads :

  • iPad (5th generation and newer)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and newer)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and newer)
  • All iPad Pro models

All about the WWDC

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