Tag: Stage Manager

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Apple expands Stage Manager to older iPads in latest iPadOS 16 beta

One of the more exciting features coming to iPads with iPadOS 16 is Stage Manager, which will finally allow iPad owners to use multiple apps simultaneously in an almost desktop-like experience with windowed multitasking. Now, it looks like Apple will bring Stage Manager to more devices, with some major caveats.

Apple earned some ire from iPad owners for restricting Stage Manager to iPads with its new M1 chip. There didn’t seem to be much of a hardware reason for the restriction, especially when devices like the base level iPad Air, which had the M1 chip but lacked other supposedly necessary capabilities, were set to get Stage Manager. Then, Apple delayed iPadOS 16, reportedly over issues with Stage Manager.

However, in the latest iPad OS 16 beta, Stage Manager is available on older iPad Pros. Specifically, Engadget reports that Stage Manager now works on the 11-inch iPad Pro (first gen and later) as well as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (third gen and later), including the models with A12X and A12Z chips.

The caveat? iPad Pros not running the M1 chip won’t have access to Stage Manager on external displays. On the one hand, this is a bummer for anyone who wanted to use their old iPad Pro for some multi-monitor multitasking (although honestly, who buys an iPad for serious multitasking work?). On the other, this means Stage Manager will benefit more iPad owners by enabling much better multitasking.

The fifth iPadOS 16 developer beta also removes external display support for Stage Manager on M1 iPads, but that should be a temporary change while Apple continues working out the bugs. External display support should return in a software update later this year. In a statement to Engadget, Apple said:

“We introduced Stage Manager as a whole new way to multitask with overlapping, resizable windows on both the iPad display and a separate external display, with the ability to run up to eight live apps on screen at once. Delivering this multi-display support is only possible with the full power of M1-based iPads. Customers with iPad Pro 3rd and 4th generation have expressed strong interest in being able to experience Stage Manager on their iPads. In response, our teams have worked hard to find a way to deliver a single-screen version for these systems, with support for up to four live apps on the iPad screen at once.

“External display support for Stage Manager on M1 iPads will be available in a software update later this year.”

Of course, it also remains to be seen how well Stage Manager works on A-series chips. We’ll likely get answers about that sooner or later. Though, given the business of Stage Manager so far, it may make sense to wait until a more stable version is available before doing any serious testing.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Simulation reveals what Stage Manager could be like on iPad mini

Apple’s ‘Stage Manager’ was already confirmed to launch at WWDC 2022 and we already know it only works with M1 chip iPads, though. However, for those wondering what it would be like to have Stage Manager on an iPad mini, a recent simulation could help.

9to5Mac detailed what the experience of using Stage Manager could be like on the iPad mini. The publication did this by simulating the experience with iOS Simulator — an Apple tool for developers to test apps on a Mac — and then exporting the screenshots to the iPad mini.

Overall, it looks like Stage Manager would be quite useful on the mini, even with its smaller display size.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind that Apple says Stage Manager requires the M1 chip to work. Part of that is because Stage Manager can open up to eight apps. Additionally, Apple says only M1 has the power needed to support output to display of up to 6K resolution, the maximum supported by Stage Manager. Virtual memory swap is another limiting factor.

Despite Apple’s performance claims, it’s worth noting that the base-level iPad Air, which doesn’t support virtual memory swap but does have an M1, supports Stage Manager. Coupled with uncovered iPadOS 16 code that allows Apple to enable Stage Manager on older, non-M1 iPads.

While this indicates we could see Stage Manager on the iPad mini one day, Apple hasn’t confirmed it and you likely shouldn’t get your hopes up.

Image Credit: Apple

Source: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

iPadOS 16 features code allowing Apple to enable ‘Stage Manager’ on older iPads

The iPadOS 16 ‘Stage Manager’ fiasco continues.

One of iPadOS 16’s key new features, Stage Manager, allows iPad users to layer multiple apps on top of each other and size them in windows, similar to macOS or Microsoft’s Windows.

However, the feature is limited to iPads that feature Apple’s M1 chip, including the iPad Pro and iPad Air. Further, Apple says that Stage Manager requires memory swap, a functionality that utilizes the iPad’s internal storage as extra RAM, despite the base-level iPad Air not offering the latter feature.

Confused yet? You aren’t alone.

Backing up the claim that Apple could bring Stage Manager to older iPads if it really wanted to, 9to5Mac recently uncovered iPadOS 16 code referencing an internal testing mode that allows the feature to run on older iPads. The code references an internal setting called “Chamois” (Stange Manager’s internal codename) that’s designed for older non-M1 iPads running iPadOS 16.

In an interview with Forbes, Apple’s head of software engineering Craig Federighi said that the tech giant tested running Stage Manager on older iPads, but decided that it ran more smoothly on its M1-powered tablets.

So what does this all mean? Regardless of the reasons behind the decision, Apple is locking Stage Manager to its newer M1-powered tablets, so if you’re using a slightly older iPad and want access to the functionality, you’ll need to upgrade.

MobileSyrup will have more on Stage Manager in the coming weeks.

Source: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

The 5 most important announcements from WWDC 2022

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference featured a packed list of announcements that focused on anticipated features and updates. 

To help you recap, MobileSyrup has broken down some of the most important announcements in no particular order. 

Let’s get into it:

M2 chip

Apple’s next-generation M2 chip technology has a big focus on power efficiency. 

It has 20 billion transistors, features an 8-core CPU, and is built on 5nm architecture. Apple says the chip is 18 percent more powerful than its predecessor and features a graphics performance that’s 35 percent better.

More details are available here. 

MacBook Air 

The MacBook Air is one of the first devices to feature the M2 chip.

Image credit: Apple

The much-anticipated device has a 3.5mm headphone jack, two thunderbolt ports, and a MagSafe charger. The Liquid Retina display is also 25 percent brighter than its predecessor and measures 13.6-inches. It will be available in four colours: ‘Silver,’ ‘Space Grey,’ ‘Starlight’ and ‘Midnight.’ The new MacBook Air starts at $1,499 in Canada.

Read more about the MacBook Air’s refresh here. 

iOS 16

Apple’s latest mobile operating system will be available on the iPhone 8 and newer devices in the fall, and they’re a couple of things I’m excited about. 

The first is the lock screen. The new update will allow users to change the font, style, and colour of the clock. Pre-made lock screens, available through the Lock Screen gallery, also offer settings with widgets that users can edit. Weather conditions will also appear on the lock screen, and users can choose to add a rotating photo gallery. 

Speaking of photos, Apple has added a new iCloud Shared Photo Library to iOS 16. The feature allows users to share photo libraries through iCloud with up to six people. All members will be allowed to add, delete, and edit photos and videos.

For messages, users will be able to edit previously sent messages, undo them, and mark threads as unread. iOS will also feature ‘Dictation,’ allowing users to move between voice and touch when crafting a message. The keyboard will remain open while users speak. 

More details on iOS 16 are available here. 

Stage Manager

Apple didn’t reserve all of its newsworthy updates to iOS alone. macOS Ventura has a remarkable lineup of its own. One of the coolest features is ‘Stage Manager.’

Picture this: you’re deep into an important project, and you have dozens of windows open relating to one aspect of the project or another. “Organization” isn’t a term that applies in this case. 

Stage Manager changes this, organizing tabs and giving users quick access to the windows they need. As soon as you activate it, it arranges all windows to the side and puts the app you’re currently using front and center. 

Continuity Camera

Ever wanted to update the quality of a Mac’s webcam? Continuity Camera allows you to do so with the help of your iPhone.

Image credit: Apple

The new macOS Ventura feature will enable users to use their phone cameras as webcams through FaceTime and other video calling apps.

Learn more here.