One of the coolest features in iPadOS 16 is Stage Manager, but it only comes on the iPad with an M1 chip. Apple’s chief software developer explains in an interview why the feature isn’t available on other iPads.
iPadOS 16 Stage Manager on iPad with M1
Apple has previously stated in a statement why Stage Manager is only available on an iPad with an M1 chip. At the moment, that’s just the latest iPad Pros (2021) and the iPad Air 5 (2022). According to Apple, Stage Manager requires a lot of memory, fast storage, and flexible external display support.
Read more: Apple’s excuse: this is why you only get Stage Manager on M1 iPads
Stage Manager on M1 iPad: more explanation from Apple
Now Craig Federighi (lead software developer at Apple) has also contributed. In an interview with TechCrunch he said: “Only the iPads with an M1, a lot of RAM and lightning-fast storage are fast enough to perform the memory swap smoothly. Since we can now open four apps at once and another four on an external screen, it takes a lot of memory to keep everything running smoothly. We don’t have that option on other iPads.”
According to Apple, Stage Manager needs a special feature (Memory Swap) of iPadOS 16, which only some iPads support. This allows iPads to expand their working memory via the built-in flash storage. This has been normal under macOS and Windows for years: as soon as the working memory is full, the new data is ‘swapped’ to the disk.
Federighi continues, saying: “We developed Stage Manager to take full advantage of the M1 chip. It takes a lot of graphical power to make the animations, shadows and tilting of the apps super smooth on multiple, large screens.”
Federighi then goes on to say that they were only too happy to make Stage Manager available on other devices, but have not done so due to design limitations. “This is what Stage Manager requires. And this is the user experience we want to offer in the future. In addition, we did not want to impose any design restrictions. Apple is thus setting a new benchmark for the future.”
Stage Manager on iPad: this is what you can do with it
iPadOS 16’s new Stage Manager feature allows you to have multiple windows open at the same time on the iPad. The app in the ‘foreground’ appears large on the screen. The other open apps and windows are reduced in size on the left side of the screen. It’s even possible to resize the open ‘windows’ so that you see more of your ‘desktop’, just like on a MacBook.
Want to stay up to date with all the Apple news? Please sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter. In addition, download the free iphoned app and keep an eye on our website.
-
Science fiction series ‘For all Mankind’ is now free to watch on Apple TV Plus
-
iPadOS 16 Stage Manager only on iPad with M1: Apple explains why
-
Is the new version of CarPlay proof of an Apple Car?
-
‘New iPad Pro coming in 2022: this is the expected date’
-
iPhone 14 front camera gets biggest upgrade ever