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The 5 best iPadOS 16 features coming to the iPad this fall

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Side-by-side collage with red arrows. Left side illustrates an image of a pink and green animated person on Apple’s iPadOS 16 Center Stage feature displayed on an iPad Air. Right side depicts a pink and blue weather map on Apple’s iPadOS 16 Weather app displayed on an iPad Air.
  • Apple's iPadOS 16 operating system update for iPads will be released in the fall.
  • iPadOS 16 brings new features, like editing and un-sending iMessages, and Stage Manager.
  • Apple is also bringing its Weather app to iPads, as well as switching FaceTime calls between devices.

Apple recently announced the new version of its iPad operating system, called iPadOS 16, during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event in June. 

iPadOS 16 is due this fall with a bunch of new features for your iPad. We're especially excited for Stage Manager, which should make your iPad more useful as a productivity machine. And it's about time that the iPad gets Apple's Weather app, which was exclusive to iPhones for years. 

Here are the iPads that will get iPadOS 16:

    • iPad: 5th-generation (2017) and later
    • iPad Mini:  5th-generation (2019) and later
    • iPad Air:  3rd-generation (2019) and later
    • iPad Pro: all iPad Pro models will get iPadOS 16

Of everything coming to iPadOS 16, these are the five features we're most excited about.

Editing and un-sending messages in iMessage
Apple’s iPadOS 16 editing and un-sending feature in iMessages displayed on an iPad Air.
Apple’s iPadOS 16 editing and un-sending feature in iMessages displayed on an iPad Air.

You'll be able to edit and un-send messages with the iMessage app within a 15-minute window. Your contacts can see whether a message has been edited or un-sent with a small notification in the message box.

Editing and un-sending messages in iMessage won't work with SMS ( or "green bubble") text messages. However, contacts without iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 won't see your edits, and un-sent texts won't disappear for them.

Stage Manager will improve productivity and multitasking when you're using several apps.
Apple’s iPadOS 16 Center Stage feature displayed on an iPad Air.
Apple’s Center Stage on an iPad Air running iPadOS 16.

Stage Manager basically helps you switch between several apps more easily while working. 

Apps that you have recently used are now miniaturized and moved to the side of your iPad's display while keeping the current app front and center. You can also have several apps currently active at once.

Stage Manager also works when you connect your iPad Air or iPad Pro to an external monitor. Combined with a wireless mouse and keyboard, you will have a complete computer setup.

iPads are finally getting the Weather app from the iPhone.
Apple’s iPadOS 16 Weather app displayed on an iPad Air.
Apple’s Weather app on an iPad Air running iPadOS 16.

We'll likely never know why the iPhone came with Apple's Weather app and iPads didn't for years. The solution until iPadOS 16 was visiting The Weather Channel's website when we tapped on the weather widget on the iPad, or third-party weather apps. 

But for those who like Apple's iOS Weather app for its simplicity, this version improves upon it with more information onto the screen at a time, like viewing the weather radar alongside temperature.

The refreshed Home app turns the iPad into a better control hub for your smart home.
Apple’s iPadOS 16 Home app displayed on an iPad Air.
Apple’s redesigned Home app on an iPad Air running iPadOS 16.

The Home app has been completely redesigned for easier and more efficient control of your connected smart home devices.

Once Apple employs the Matter connectivity standard, the Home app will let you control connected smart home devices from multiple brands without the need for several different apps.

The Matter connectivity standard is backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and 250 other companies. It's a promising solution that aims to address the confusing mess that smart home connectivity is today.

You'll be able to switch FaceTime calls between Apple devices more easily.
FaceTime iPhone iPad

It's nice to pick up FaceTime calls from the nearest Apple device, but what if that device isn't the best one for the call? Picking up a FaceTime call from an iMac, for example, means you have to stay glued to your iMac for the duration of the call.

Apple is finally adding the ability to switch the FaceTime call to another Apple device. The company says it only requires "a tap," and that connected Bluetooth headsets also switch to the other device.

Other iPadOS 16 features worth mentioning
Reference Mode on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro running iPadOS 16.
Apple’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro will have Reference Mode running iPadOS 16.
  • The iCloud Shared Photo Library: A photo library in iCloud designed for families to share photos. Up to six family members or friends can join this shared library. 
  • Improvements to the Mail app: You'll be able to un-send emails within 10 seconds after sending it. You'll also be able to schedule emails. The Mail app will also detect if you've forgotten to add an attachment. Emails you haven't responded to in a few days will be automatically brought to the top of your inbox. And finally, search in Mail is also improved. 
  • Safari is becoming more social: You'll be able to share tabs and bookmarks with contacts, as well as send messages and start FaceTime calls from Safari.
  • The 12.9-inch iPad Pro can become a professional video or photo editor's reference display:  Reference screens bring the most accurate colors for images and videos for professionals to work from. It'll make the 12.9-inch iPad Pro a worthy companion for a professional working with visual assets. 
  • Live Text now recognizes text in video. Take text from video stills and manipulate it like regular text in documents and web searches.
  • Visual Look Up: Crop and lift a subject from a background in a photo to share in apps like iMessage.
  • Better parental controls: Create an account for your child with parental controls, like age-appropriate media restrictions, screen time, ask-to-buy, and location sharing.
  • Freeform is a blank slate for people to collaborate: Freeform lets you and colleagues brainstorm with sketching pictures, diagrams, or notes with the Apple Pencil, and sharing links, documents, photos, or videos in real-time.
Read the original article on Business Insider


source https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/apple-ipados-16-best-features

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