Apple announced that older iPad Pro tablets will get Stage Manager with iPadOS 16. Originally planned for iPad Pro models and iPad Air 5 with M1 chipsets, MacBook-like multitasking and overlay windows are now coming to many iPad models. However, older iPads have cut functionality such as missing external display support.
TL; DR
- Apple is adding a level manager for older iPad Pro tablets.
- The version will have limited live apps and missing external display support.
- The feature is available for the 2018 and 2022 iPad Pro.
Apple’s latest iPadOS 16 developer beta will finally add Level Manager to the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models. In particular, the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros with the A12X and A12Z chipsets are eligible and left in limbo with the other models. Apple says not all features are available for iPads older than the Stage Manager version. Only four live apps are supported, compared to eight on the M1-powered iPad Pros.
Apple is removing the ability to extend the display to an external display from older iPads. Instead, Stage Manager only works with the built-in display, which is understandable given the dated processors in these tablets. But users can still use the display mirror and capture.
Platform Manager for iPad Pro and iPad Air / © Apple; Screenshot: NextPit
It’s not smooth sailing for Apple’s Stage Manager.
Apple is disabling the external display for Level Manager on the new iPad Pros in this beta release. But according to Apple, the feature will return later this year. They did not give a reason for the move. After several reports that the company’s software team was having problems implementing the system, it is almost undoing all angles of Level Manager.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPad 2022 and M2-powered iPad Pro next month. After several delays, the official release of iPadOS 16 comes with this new iPad hardware.
Which of the 2022 iPads are you most excited to see? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments section.
