iPadOS 16.1 Release October 24th – All Key Features Available on iPad

iPadOS 16.1 release, the first version of iPadOS 16 for iPad, will be released on Monday, October 24th, along with macOS Ventura, and is a major update. In addition to iOS 16 features like Editing Sent Messages and Passkey, many new iPad-only productivity features help Apple’s tablet grow from being a larger version of the iPhone into a device of its own.

Here, the main thing is that some of the new features only work on iPads that use M1 or M2 chips instead of A-series processors. In other words, you need either the latest iPad Pro or the latest iPad Air to run some of the new features in iPadOS 16.1. Some features have more stringent requirements. In this article, you will get information about features and identify whether your iPad fulfills the required M1 or M2 processors or other hardware-specific requirements or not.

Macs, which do not have an M1 or M2 series chip, will not get this feature. If you don’t have an M1 or M2 Mac, these Ventura features will not be available.

iPadOS 16 Notable Features Coming to iPad

Stage Manager 

Stage Manager is the new multitasking user interface, the first feature of iPadOS 16.1 coming to iPad. This feature allows you to switch between open apps. Unused apps move to the side like the feature that the best MacBooks and the best Windows PCs have. Apple initially said it would require the M1 iPad, but recently relaxed those restrictions and iPadOS 16.1 improves the capabilities of iPad Pro models using its A12X (2018) and A12Z (2020) chips. However, on external displays, these A-series iPad Pros are still unable to run Stage Manager, and Apple has shown no intention of making it work in a future update.

(Image Credit: Apple)

External display support

External display support can be facilitated up to 6K resolution with iPad Pro with M1 or M2.   The app can be accessed from an external display, drag, and drop between the display and iPad Pro works, and Stage Manager is supported.

Recently, Apple also announced that with the release of iPadOS 16.1 full external display support will no longer be available. Instead, that will be included in the iPadOS 16 updates later this year.

(Image Credit: Apple)

Magnifier Detection Mode and Door Detection

iPadOS 16.1’s Magnifier has an accessibility feature called Detection Mode that provides descriptions for doors, people, and images. Door recognition can go even further, reading the signs around the door and figuring out how to open it. To use these new detection tools, you need a 12.9-inch 4th, 5th, or 6th generation iPad Pro with an A12Z, M1, or M2 processor, or an 11-inch 2nd, 3rd, or 3rd generation 4th generation iPad Pro required.

(Image Credit: Apple)

Freeform

This app allows users to interact with a virtual whiteboard. According to Apple, Freeform is great for brainstorming and collaboration. You can also use your Apple Pencil to take notes or draw on the aforementioned board. You can also use the whiteboard feature to arrange photos, videos and documents into specific groups. And that feature is expected to come with the iPadOS 16 updates later this year.

Collaborate in real-time

Collaborating in real time lets you add and communicate with people in apps like Safari, iWork Suite, and even third-party apps. Collaboration also works with other apps like Messages, so you can share content from Files, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, Notes, Reminders, Safari, and third-party apps in group chats. Once you share this information, everyone can access it and see updates and changes at the top of the message window.

M1/M2 Unique Feature

Reference Mode 

Reference Mode, a feature of the M-series Macs, is the ability to display reference colors required in high-end production environments. iPadOS 16.1 also has a new browse mode, but it requires a Liquid Retina XDR display. This is only available for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Apple silicon and Mac computers. In addition to this feature, you can use your 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a secondary reference display for your Mac.

(Image Credit: Apple)

Virtual Memory Swap

This feature allows M1 and M2-based iPads to use up to 16GB of SSD space as RAM. However, to use this feature on the M1 iPad Air, the device must have at least 256 GB of storage space. The iPad Pro has no such limitation.

Apple Pencil Hover Experience

In the latest iPad Pros with iPadOS 16, 2nd generation Apple Pencil can be detected from the 12mm above the display. According to Apple, this feature will make the pencil more precise and “easier” to use. As this allows the user to preview the markup before creating it. Apple also opens the door for third-party apps to create something creative with the advantage of this feature. However, please note that for now, only the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil paired with the 2022 iPad Pro with M2 running iPadOS 16 will support this hover feature.

(Image Credit: Apple)