Apple is releasing iPadOS 16.1 beta 3 alongside iOS 16.1 beta 2, macOS Ventura beta 8, tvOS 16.1 beta 2 and watchOS 9.1 beta 2. This beta was followed by a statement from a company more than a year ago. months saying it would delay the release of iPadOS to improve some of its new features.
Early last month, a Bloomberg report revealed that Apple was considering delaying the release of iPadOS 16 until October because the company was unhappy with the Stage Manager experience. Apple has now confirmed that the iPadOS 16 release is delayed and developers can install the iPadOS 16.1 beta.
Of course, Apple didn’t directly say that the release of iPadOS 16 would be delayed due to bugs or other quality issues. Instead, the company says it’s a “big year for iPadOS” and will now have “its own calendar.”
Here’s what Apple said in a statement to TechCrunch:
This is a particularly important year for iPadOS. As a clean platform with features built specifically for iPad, we have the flexibility to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. This fall, iPadOS will ship after iOS, as version 16.1 in a free software update.
The iPadOS 16.1 beta shares many features of iOS 16, but the most important features are exclusive to the M1 iPad Air and M1 iPad Pro with Stage Manager. It comprises:
- Resizable windows: Resize your windows to give them the ideal size for your task;
- Central app: Focus on the app you’re working with without going full screen;
- Quick access to windows and applications: Windows of the applications you work in are displayed prominently in the center, and other applications are arranged on the left side in order of recent use;
- Overlapping windows: Create overlapping windows of different sizes in a single view, giving you control to organize your ideal workspace;
- Group apps: Drag and drop windows from the side or open apps from the Dock to create sets of apps you can always come back to.
Another important feature for iPad M1 users running iPadOS 16 is the ability to have proper external display support.
Apple highlights iCloud Shared Photo Librarywhich lets you share a separate iCloud Photo Library with up to five people who can add, edit, favorite, caption, and delete photos.
With Messages, Apple is focusing on three important features:
- Edit a message: For 15 minutes, users can make up to 5 edits to a given message, and recipients will be able to see a record of the edits made to the message;
- Cancel sending: Cancel sending any message up to 2 minutes after sending it;
- Mark as unread: Mark messages as unread when you don’t have time to reply but want to be sure to reply to the sender later.
Finally, PadOS 16.1 brings a new Weather app. It will have a similar experience to that found on macOS Ventura with an animated background, more weather details, forecasts, air quality, and more.
Have you noticed any changes in the current version of iPadOS 16.1 beta 3 or iOS 16.1 beta 2? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @9to5Mac. Stay tuned for our full hands-on coverage with new releases here at 9to5Mac today and the rest of the week.
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