Apple typically releases its major software releases regularly. Updates for the iPhone and iPad are usually announced shortly after the end of the annual hardware event in September. This year, however, things could be different. Bloomberg says that Apple may delay iPadOS 16 by a month or maybe more.
It is reported that the main problem is related to the Stage Manager multitasking tool, which will only be available on iPads with the M1 processor. It allows users to resize windows and overlap them. However, those who tried the beta version mostly found the feature to not work quite properly.
Previously, there have been claims that Apple is preparing new iPads by the end of this year, including a base model with a USB-C port and an M2-based iPad Pro. The delay of iPadOS 16 could mean that it will arrive closer to the arrival of the new tablets. Bloomberg noted that postponing the iPadOS 16 release will also allow Apple to prioritize and improve iOS 16.
Speaking of which, macOS Ventura also includes Stage Manager. Apple is also expected to release macOS Ventura in October. Given that Apple has long been trying to move away from the perception of the iPad as a big iPhone and turn it into a versatile productivity device, the simultaneous release of iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura could be another subtle signal of how the company wants their tablets to be positioned in the right light.
