Apple has officially announced Ipados 16, elevating the tablet experience with new features designed to make the machine more laptop-like.

The company has called this year’s iPadOS changes a “major update” that makes the “iPad experience even more versatile”. Apple says that it’s taking advantage of the new M1 chip in the Ipad Pro and iPad Air, introducing Stage Manager, which has also been added to the Mac, offering users a new way to multitask with multiple overlapping windows. It’s a long-awaited feature for iPad and could further help people make the transition away from laptops to their tablets for everyday tasks.

Freeform is a brand new app from Apple, designed to improve communication and help people work with others across their favorite apps. Users are able to work across Messages, Safari, and more to become more productive together, whilst other macOS features like Safari Tab Groups and the ported iOS Weather app makes the iPad even more valuable for everyday use.

Speaking of the new operating system update at today’s event, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: “iPad is our most versatile device, and we’re excited to take what it can do even further with iPadOS 16. With Stage Manager, which takes multitasking on iPad to a whole new level, plus new ways to share and collaborate via Messages, Safari, and the new Freeform app, and new pro features like Reference Mode and Display Zoom, users can get even more done on iPad.”

The new update also adds features like Reference Mode and Display Zoom, whilst dictation has been improved, Siri now automatically runs shortcuts from apps, and the Home app has been given a new look. Apple says that new desktop-class apps will be available on iPadOS, whilst Handoff, Game Center, and Notes have also been tweaked.

What are your thoughts on iPadOS 16? Let us know and check back soon for the latest! 

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