iPadOS 15 brought some much-needed changes to Apple’s gaming-focused operating system. tablets, including better notification management via ‘Notification Summary’ and ‘Focus’ modes, new ‘Sticky Notes’ feature, easier multitasking UI, and more.
But, almost as sure as the sun will rise in the morning, Apple will launch iPadOS 16 in 2022. The question is, what should we expect?
While iPadOS 16 is still months away from being revealed, there are already a handful of rumors pointing to a particularly interesting update for iPad owners.
Here’s everything there is to know at this early stage, from the announcement and launch predictions to the latest rumors of features coming to iPadOS 16.
Don’t miss our article on the trends that Apple will implement in 2022.
When will iPadOS 16 be released?
iPadOS 15 was released in September 2021, so if you’re looking for iPadOS 16, you’ll have to wait a bit. How long exactly? While we’re still too far away for Apple to officially confirm anything, the company generally follows the same annual schedule for its iPadOS, iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS updates, which makes it easier to predict.
For those new to the world of Apple updates, the company tends to reveal new software updates during its developer-focused Worldwide Developer Conference, better known as WWDC. This usually takes place in early June, and we expect the same to happen in 2022 with the introduction of iPadOS 16.
In fact, Apple has confirmed that WWDC 2022 will take place between June 6 and June 10, 2022, and the special Keynote in which the company reveals its big updates will take place on the first day of the show, June 6, 2022.
Times are yet to be confirmed, but kickoff is expected to take place at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT. It’s almost certain that we’ll see iPadOS 16 during the show.
Apple will then make a beta version available to developers (and public beta testers), with regular updates throughout the summer, hoping for a quality launch in September 2022, when we expect it to be available for download worldwide.
In short, an iPadOS 16 reveal is expected at WWDC 2022 on June 6, 2022, with an almost certain global launch in September 2022.
Which iPads will be compatible with iPadOS 16?
It’s too early to predict which iPads will be compatible with the next big iPad update. Software – this will surely depend on how the internal tests are carried out and whether the new functions introduced require a Material specific – but given that iPadOS 15 is available on the iPad Air 2, a tablet released in 2014, we’re sure that even if some iPads take the hit, it won’t be much.
For reference, here are all the iPads supported by iPadOS 15, and they will likely be very similar, if not identical, to iPadOS 16:
- iPad Pro 12.9 (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 11 (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9 (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 11 (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11 (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9 (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9 (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5
- iPad Pro 9.7
- iPad (9th generation)
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad mini (4th generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Air 2
What to expect from iPadOS 16
Although there is still a little time before the official presentation of iPadOS 16, rumors are in full swing and, if true, the next update of Software The centered iPad could be very important for business users.
M1 Native Apps
The big new feature of iPadOS 16, according to a report from iDropNews, will be support for native Mac apps.
The post claims that Apple is preparing to release not only Final Cut Pro, but also Logic Pro and xCode for the iPad, but with the caveat that they will only work on the M1 variants of the iPad Pro.
One of our biggest complaints about the new iPad Pro range is that the software doesn’t take advantage of the impressive processing power available on the M1 chipset, and this should help remedy that.
It also makes the iPad Pro line a viable alternative to the MacBook line for video editors, developers, and producers, and hopefully opens the door to more Mac-quality apps in the future.
Redesigned app icons
In the same iDropNews report, it’s suggested that the redesigned app icons coming to iOS 16 will also make an appearance in iPadOS 16, and that makes sense given the design synchronicity between the two.
According to the report, the redesigned icons for the source apps are being developed by Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of human interface design, and his team. While the post didn’t provide specific details on what to expect from the redesigned icons, it was said that they will be “very similar” to macOS Monterey icons.
This could manifest as a modern take on the original iOS app icons, which had more depth and texture than the colored icons of recent times, and the overall iPadOS UI could get an update as well. corresponding.
Widgets on the lock screen
It is said that Apple wants to refresh the lock screen after the minimal changes in recent years. Reports suggest that Apple might do this by bringing widgets to the lock screen in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 somehow, though it might be more appropriate for the latter than the former.
We don’t know if we can add more widgetor what can they do widgetbut it’s something Apple is experimenting with behind closed doors.
Widgets interactive
The repositioning of widget That’s not the only new widget-related feature slated to come in the next big iPad update.
In fact, the filter @LeaksApplePro suggests that iOS 16 will introduce interactive widgets for the first time, allowing you to interact with widget shortcuts, such as the flashlight or media controls, without needing to access the app in question.
The leaker went so far as to show a screenshot of the internal test build, codenamed InfoShack, and teased that more information would be released soon. However, in a later tweet, the leaker hints that “there may be changes in the coming months”, so this is far from confirmed at this time.
It’s also worth noting that the leaker focused on iOS 16, not iPadOS 16, but it’s hard to imagine such an important feature only appearing on the small screen.
Floating application windows
Although there have been more and more comparisons between iPadOS and macOS over the past few years, an upcoming feature could really blur the line between tablet and desktop within Apple’s lineup.
According to insider Majin Bu, Apple is working hard on a new system that will extend the multitasking system first introduced in 2015. In addition to the standard split-screen options, Apple is reportedly working on a system dubbed “Apple Mixer.” .” internally that will allow apps to float in windows when the iPad is connected to a keyboard and trackpad.
If that sounds like you, it’s because that’s how desktop operating systems like macOS and Windows work. The insider included a mockup in his tweet:
Apple is developing a smart system for iPadOS. Apps will continue to open full screen but will automatically minimize when connected to the keyboard and trackpad. Internally it is called Apple Mixer. We don’t know if it will be included in iPadOS 16 or not, it should be exclusive to iPad M1. pic.twitter.com/1WfMj5TGue
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial)
March 15, 2022
The tipster claims it will be exclusive to M1-based iPads, which makes sense considering the M1 is a desktop/laptop chipset. One thing that is unclear at the moment is when it will be released as the tipster does not know if it will be released as part of iPadOS 16 or not.
Original article published in English on our sister site TechAdvisor UK.
Table of Contents
