If you own the latest iPad, iPadOS 16.3 is something you’ll want to know about – it’s the next version of Apple’s iPad software that you can download.
This new version of iPadOS was announced at Apple’s annual WWDC 2022 conference, where the company showcases its new operating systems – iOS 16 was the biggest update unveiled with the new lock screen and more.
iPadOS 16.3 is the fourth generation of the tablet operating system since Apple spun it off of the iOS operating system for smartphones – although iPadOS 16.1 shares many features with iOS 16.
Apple recently announced that instead iPadOS 16.1 will launch later in 2022, with more time needed to improve Stage Manager, its new approach to tablet multitasking. This ended on October 24, when the update was available for some iPad models.
The updates include improved collaboration tools, including a new Collaborative Markup app, and new features that make using iPad closer to working on a computer.
Below, we’ve gone over all the features Apple has announced on the scene and what might be coming in future versions of iPadOS.
iPadOS 16.3: Get to the point
- What is this? The latest major update for iPads
- When did it come out? October 24, 2022
- How much is it? It’s free
Compatible with iPadOS 16
Which iPads can get iPadOS 16.3? Here is the official list provided by Apple.
If you want to check what iPad you have, go to Settings select an application ABOUT option, then find Model name.
- iPad (5th generation) and later
- iPad Mini (5th generation) and later
- iPad Air (3rd generation) and later
- Any iPad Pro model
It should come as no surprise that Apple’s current iPad portfolio is some of the best tablets in the business, but with entries like the 2021 iPad 10.2, even some of the best cheap tablets are taking advantage of iPadOS 16.1’s latest and greatest features. .
Features of iPadOS 16.1
Here’s what you need to know about the iPadOS 16.1 update:
iPadOS 16.1 borrowed features
Many of iPadOS 16.1’s features are primarily iOS 16 and extended features.
Another comes from Apple Maps – you’ll be able to create a route in the iPad app and then send it to your iPhone – making it easier to plan your trip on the big screen before watching it on a smaller one.
You’ll also be able to schedule emails to be sent at a specific time, revoke emails you’ve just sent, and set reminders for emails you don’t want to deal with right away.
Apple’s new Weather app is also coming to iPad and macOS Ventura, expanding on its iOS 14 debut. It features an expanded layout that allows you to see more information on the tablet’s display, such as predicted rain, detailed temperature maps, and more.
Another new iPad app is Reference Mode, which aims to synchronize the colors of the iPad’s screen with those of monitors and other displays, which would be useful for color correctors – though Apple didn’t go into too much detail.
iPadOS 16.1 collaboration features
Improved collaboration features are the focus of the next iPad update.
Now when you share a document (from some apps) with friends or co-workers, you’re sharing the document itself, not a copy, making it easier for co-workers to edit together.
You can also use FaceTime to work on these documents with others by sharing links and files on the video calling platform. Among other things, this should make it super convenient to use Freeform, another feature we’ll get to later.
Focus on iPadOS 16.1
A new method of multitasking is coming to iPadOS in the form of Stage Manager, which provides desktop-like functionality – you can have overlapping windows, you can move all background apps to the side to see them in one list, and you can resize the window.
This feature will be available for iPads released from 2018, with the exception of the iPad mini.
Apple has also pledged to update more of its own apps to be “desktop grade”, although that seems to require hundreds of minor tweaks, such as different ways to view files or browse folders with different icons.
With Stage Manager, you can finally connect your iPad to an external monitor. This will allow you to use Ulysses on your iPad while viewing the Photos app on a connected monitor, for example, but this feature has been delayed until a later release.
iPadOS 16.1 Freeform
An upcoming app called FreeForm has been announced coming to iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura later this year. It is basically a collaborative digital bulletin board or shared version of the Notes app where multiple users can sketch and jot down ideas.
In its presentation, Apple showed a lot of people drawing a lot of different mind maps with sticky notes, colored lines and annotations – the Apple Pencil was shown as a useful tool for creating these types of documents.
If you’ve used Google Jamboard, it seems to be the Apple equivalent, although since it works on a tablet with a stylus it should be a bit more comfortable to use.
Game improvements in iPadOS 16.1
After detailing the Mac’s gaming abilities at WWDC 2022, Apple has revealed that the iPad will also receive many of these features.
This includes a feature called Metal 3, which automatically scales game footage (essentially increasing frame rate and resolution), and should make iPadOS games a little more like console alternatives. Now we just need Fortnite to return!
However, it also means that other games that were previously exclusive to PC and Steam Deck are moving to Apple platforms, with No Mans Sky coming soon to iPadOS and macOS Ventura.
The Game Center gets a list of activities so you can see what your friends are up to – this is similar to features found on many other gaming networks like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network so you can see for example if someone has earned an in-game achievement or spent 20 hours playing a specific title.
Finally, it’s now easier to instantly share links with friends so they can join you in a multiplayer game.