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Anticipated iPadOS Updates Aim to Bridge Gap with macOS Experience
Future iterations of iPadOS are expected to offer an experience more akin to working on a Mac, potentially by the time Apple introduces iPads powered by M5 chips. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, writing in his recent Power On newsletter, while iPadOS will not become macOS on a tablet, forthcoming modifications are projected to be substantial enough to satisfy users seeking a more desktop-like environment on their iPads.
Focus on Enhanced Productivity and Multitasking
This year’s iPadOS updates will prioritize “productivity, multitasking, and app window management,” with a clear objective of the device functioning more like a Mac, Gurman reports. These enhancements are anticipated roughly a year after the launch of the M4 iPad Pro, a high-performance tablet that currently possesses processing capabilities exceeding its software utilization.
Speculation Surrounds Multitasking Enhancements
While Gurman’s analysis provides no concrete specifics regarding Apple’s revamped multitasking approach, it is prudent to temper expectations until further details emerge. In 2022, Apple introduced Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, a feature designed to enable windowing and organize application windows into a dock-style arrangement on the display’s side. Despite initial anticipation that this might serve as a viable substitute for a MacBook, the implemented version was perceived as somewhat underdeveloped and fell short of delivering a truly robust desktop-class operating system experience.
Ongoing Evolution Towards Desktop-Class Functionality
Apple has since refined its approach, including allowing users greater flexibility in resizing windows in iPadOS 17. However, the fundamental user experience remains distinctly iPad-centric rather than Mac-like. This distinction is not inherently problematic unless the user’s intention is to replace a MacBook with an Apple tablet. The extent to which Apple addresses this desire will become clearer when the company unveils iPadOS 19 in June.