The Mac-ificiation of the iPad Marches On...
Majin Bu
While his "Sky Blue" iPhone information the other day made headlines, this is potentially a far more interesting leak:
According to my source, Apple is gearing up for another major leap forward. With iPadOS 19 and iOS 19, expected in 2025, the gap between iPad, iPhone, and Mac continues to shrink.
One of the most exciting changes will benefit those using the iPad with a Magic Keyboard. When connected, the interface will adapt to show a menu bar at the top, just like on macOS, turning the iPad into a much more laptop-like experience.
Another key update is Stage Manager 2.0, an enhanced multitasking mode that activates automatically when the keyboard is attached. It will make managing apps and windows smoother and more productive than ever.
If this is accurate – and Bu has a pretty good, but not perfect track record – these sound like good changes, in line with what Mark Gurman has previously reported in terms of iPadOS getting tweaked to bring it closer (yet again) to macOS. That said, it's getting rather comical in terms of how much Apple is bringing these two OSes together without either merging them or letting you just boot macOS on the very capable iPad Pro.
There was a lot of back-and-forth on that topic last year (as there is seemingly every year because again, Apple keeps moving the two closer together in terms of functionality), but one issue people had with the dual booting is how you would handle macOS – which, of course, is not built for touchscreens. Well, again, if Bu's information is accurate, it suggests a special mode for iPadOS when a Magic Keyboard is attached. One imagines such a mode could have enabled macOS capabilities too...
In terms of "Stage Manager 2.0", this also sounds like it will be only accessible with a keyboard attached. Regardless, it has to be better than Stage Manager 1.0, which I tried for months to get into using before turning it off (on both my iPad and my Mac).
Really, I continue to think all we might need is "real" Safari. For now, it just continues to sound like Apple is on the verge of giving the users what they've been asking for. Even if it's only happening one pixel at a time...
One more thing:
iOS 19 isn’t being left behind. Source say that iPhones with USB-C will support external displays, offering a Stage Manager like interface. While not a full desktop mode, it will allow users to extend their screen space, great for presentations, editing, or enhanced viewing.
There may be some limitations possibly in resolution or the number of apps displayed at once but the potential is promising.
Interesting... working towards a "true" computer in your pocket?
M.G. Siegler
M.G. Siegler
M.G. Siegler
M.G. Siegler
M.G. Siegler