iPadOS 16 has lots of updates, but new multitasking features require an M1 chip
Enlarge / True external display support is coming to M1-powered iPads in iPadOS 16. (credit: Apple)
CUPERTINO, Calif.-Apple formally announced the latest update to its iPad operating system, iPadOS 16, during the keynote presentation of its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday. As usual, the tablet operating system will share many of the features and app updates introduced with the newest version of the iPhone-focused iOS, but it will also include a few iPad-specific changes to improve the multitasking and productivity capabilities of those larger devices.
An updated Collaboration feature, for instance, will allow users to work together in real time with specific apps. You'll be able to send a document from Apple's Pages app to a group through one "collaboration link," allowing multiple users to edit the same file instead of everyone having to deal with their own copy. This ability appears to work in a way that's similar to apps like Google Docs. An entirely new app called FreeForm also provides a shared canvas for collaborative meetings, note-taking, sketching, and communication using FaceTime or Messages.
Speaking of Messages, the app is receiving the same updates that it's getting in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura: the ability to edit or unsend recent messages, plus the ability to mark conversations as unread if you want to be reminded to come back to them later.