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Apple would have finished development of its first public version of iOS 16 for September, but iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura could wait until October.
Apple is preparing to hold a special event in September for the launch of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. By developing iOS 16 in preparation for the launch of the smartphone update, Apple has apparently reached a stopping point for the main development of the operating system.
In its “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman claims that the development of the initial version of iOS 16, version 16.0, was completed in mid-August. Completion comes a few weeks before Apple’s supposed event, which could happen as early as September 7.
The iOS 16.0 version will appear alongside watchOS 9, it is said, and will “match the new hardware” launched at the event. This indicates that Apple has at least launched the iPhone and updated the Apple Watch Series 8.
However, Gurman adds that macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 releases are instead slated for October, again matching “the new hardware lineup.” This strongly indicates that a second event will take place in October.
It’s not uncommon for a macOS version to come out in October. Less common is a gap between iOS and iPadOS versions.
According to Gurman, the event would take place on the Wednesday after Labor Day, which could be a travel day for media and guests. While this strongly suggests that Apple may hold a rally at Apple Park for the launch, it could end up looking more like the WWDC version than an all-live launch.
It is estimated that the split for iPhone and Apple Watch in September followed by iPad and Mac in October will be a return to the event structure used by Apple before the pandemic.