Apple always released iPadOS at the same time as iOS. However, due to the time required to adjust new features, the official major version update of the OS was delayed by a month. However, today, Apple has finally released iPadOS 16 as iPadOS 16.1 alongside iOS 16.1 with new functions and various improvements and fixes.
iPadOS 16.1 includes a number of changes for iPad users, including the new multitasking feature Stage Manager, which also contributed to the delay.
Stage Manager introduced in iPadOS 16.1
The biggest change in iPadOS 16 is the new multitasking feature, Stage Manager. This feature brings an entirely new windowing system to the iPad. Users can create different “stages” with different-sized windows for multiple applications and easily switch between them.
In a future iPadOS 16 version, Stage Manager will also add support for external monitors for iPad. However, this feature is limited to the iPad Pro M1 (and now M2) models only.
Other changes in iPadOS 16.1
In addition to the Stages Manager, iPadOS 16.1 adds several new iOS 16 features and some iPad-specific tweaks.
- Message app update. Edit, unsend message, mark as unread, etc.
- Mail app update. Undo sends, rich link, schedule send, etc.
- Display scaling. A new display scaling setting increases the pixel density of your display, letting you see more in your applications.
- iPad weather app
- All-New Home Application
- A desktop-class application with customizable toolbars, new context menus, find and replace, multi-select context menus, and more.
iPadOS 16 is available on all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5 and later, and iPad 5 mini and later. You can update by going to Settings>General>Software Update.
