Multiple updates, Apple iPadOS 16 is coming

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Recently, Apple brought iPadOS 16 to its WWDC 2022 report. This generation of iPadOS 16 is very bright. It not only makes changes in the lock screen page, iCloud shared library, etc., but also updates such as mail, search Safari browser and pass keys.

Of course, the most noteworthy thing about iPadOS 16 is the productivity boost . iPadOS 16 gets the updated front-end scheduling function on macOS Ventura, which increases the iPad's usability for multitasking and greatly improves productivity. Front Desk Scheduling allows users to overlap and resize windows on the iPad, with the main app being worked on in the center and recently used apps on the left, allowing users to sort them themselves so they can quickly switch when they want to visit .

Different from the old version of the multitasking menu and workspace function, the front-end scheduling can make multitasking no longer limited to the original 2-3 apps. The display of apps in the front-end scheduling will be adaptive to the size, and apps including WeChat, files, and Safari can run relatively normally in this mode.

In addition to supporting the front-end scheduling function, iPadOS 16 also supports the display adaptation function. It enables the iPad to output images according to the resolution of the display device, and also supports the display of different images on the display and the iPad, and uses the display as an extended screen of the iPad.

Not only that, but PadOS 16 also allows device makers to use the new "DriverKit" for the first time. DriverKit was originally created as a framework for the Mac to allow device manufacturers to develop drivers to make their products fully compatible with macOS. This API was introduced in macOS Catalina as a replacement for kernel extensions, supporting USB, PCI, and audio devices. For example, installing DriverKit on iPadOS will allow users to connect a Thunderbolt audio interface on the iPad for the first time.

But for now, according to Apple, DriverKit requires an iPad with an M1 chip. This means that even on iPadOS 16, these drivers won't work on older iPad models, or even the current-generation iPad mini powered by the A15 chip.

It's worth noting that in iOS 15, Apple allowed the designation of an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as a Home Hub, but while it's currently in beta testing, Apple appears to be removing support for iPadOS 16 as a Home Hub.

Despite this change, iPadOS 16 Beta 1 still allows an iPad to be designated as a Home Hub. However, given Apple's iOS 16 marketing page and the interface description in iPadOS 16, it's likely that the feature will be removed in a later version of the software.