Apple’s newest iPadOS 16 software update is set to bring a number of enhancements that will help you multitask more effectively on your device. One of the most important changes in this update is the addition of a new multitasking pane that will let you open multiple apps at the same time, without having to switch between them. This is great for those times when you need to work on two different tasks and don’t want to lose one of them. Another new feature in this update is the addition of a split-screen mode that will let you run two apps side by side on your device, without having to switch between them. This can be really helpful when you’re working on something important and want to take a break, but don’t want to lose all your work in the meantime. Finally, there’s also a new way to control how many apps are open at once in your device’s settings. You can now choose how many apps are open at any given time by selecting “Open multiple applications at once.” This can be really helpful if you have a lot of applications installed and want them all open at once, or if you’re trying to use an app that doesn’t support split-screen mode.
Apple showed off the upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates at WWDC, and the latter has many multitasking improvements for the iPad. The main upgrade is ‘Stage Manager,’ a feature also coming in the next macOS update, which organizes your currently-open applications in a new panel on the left side of the multitasking screen. You can tap an app from Stage Manager to switch to it, or drag an app to place it on top of your currently-open application — the first time the iPad has supported overlapping app windows.
Stage Manager is also the core of the iPad’s new external display abilities. Before now, iPads could only mirror their screens to an external display, or some applications could override with their own views (for example, a presentation app might show slides on an external display). Multi-display now works more like Windows and macOS, with the ability to move windows between different screens with Stage Manager.
The new external display functionality is much closer to the various attempts at mobile/desktop convergence over the past decade, like Samsung DeX and Windows 10 Mobile Convergence. However, unlike DeX and Windows 10 Convergence, the same general interface is shared across all screens.
Apple will roll out the new functionality in iPadOS 16 later this year.
