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WWDC 2022 starts in a few weeks. On June 6, Apple will announce iPadOS 16, which will be the next major version of Apple’s software platform for the iPad. Continue below as we round up the latest iOS 16 rumors and expectations for this year, including new features, release info, and more.
When will iPadOS 16 be announced?
iPadOS 16 is likely to be announced on June 6th during the WWDC 2022 keynote. The event will take place online, although some students and developers will be able to attend the keynote in person at Apple Park.
Following the announcement, Apple will test the operating system for a few months before releasing it to all users around September, as the company has done for the past few years.
Recently, BloombergMark Gurman said that the iOS 16 beta build release schedule is a little different this year. According to the journalist, Apple plans to present the first public beta of iOS 16 along with the third developer beta in July.
The reason, according to Gurman, is that the current internal builds are “a bit buggy”. As a result, Apple engineers will need more time to make the iOS 16 beta stable enough before allowing anyone to install it on iPhone and iPad devices.
Devices supported by iPadOS 16
One of the biggest questions people ask each year is whether or not Apple will drop support for older iPad models. With last year’s release of iPadOS 15, Apple maintained compatibility with all devices that were supported by iPadOS 14, although many features were reduced.
An early rumor suggests that Apple is planning to end support for the iPhone 6s and the original iPhone SE. In this case, iPadOS 16 might not be compatible with iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2, iPad (fifth generation) and the original iPad Pro models.
Considering this, iPadOS 16 could potentially get the following iPads:
New features with iPadOS 16
As of now, two main features are expected for iPadOS 16: a new multitasking interface and an overhauled look for notifications.
The supposed focus on notifications is interesting given that Apple has made numerous changes to the iOS notification system over the past two years, with the introduction of features like notification summary and focus modes. However, it seems that Apple is still not satisfied with the implementation of notifications in iOS and plans more changes for this year.
In addition, year after year, iPadOS users have been asking Apple to provide a better multitasking interface for Pro users. Windows, for example, would be the safest choice to really improve the iPad experience with larger screens. Although the company has made Slide Over and Split View easier to use, the operating system isn’t there yet.
Pro apps like Final Cut Pro and the ability to have different accounts for the same iPad — just like macOS and tvOS — have also been feature requests from users for years.
9to5Mac’s take
We expect more details about iPadOS 16 to emerge as we get closer to WWDC 2022, which begins on June 6th. Although Apple will be announcing tons of new features, it will be a huge improvement for the operating system when iPadOS 16 finally gets a proper multitasking interface.
Personally, I’m hoping to see Apple notifications in a way that makes it much clearer and easier to see your most recent notifications without cumbersome grouping. I’m also hoping for some updates to homescreen widgets, particularly in terms of interactivity, and major updates to the Home app and HomeKit in general.
What are you hoping for from iPadOS 16? What’s at the top of your wish list? Let us know in the comments!
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