X

Apple's Next iPadOS Could Make Your Tablet More Like a Laptop, Report Says

Zachary McAuliffe Staff writer
Zach began writing for CNET in November, 2021 after writing for a broadcast news station in his hometown, Cincinnati, for five years. You can usually find him reading and drinking coffee or watching a TV series with his wife and their dog.
Expertise Web hosting, operating systems, applications and software Credentials
  • Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents
Zachary McAuliffe
iPad with keyboard case and Apple Pencil

Apple reportedly has a big announcement about the iPad in store for its Worldwide Developers Conference.

Sarah Tew/CNET

What's happening

iPadOS, the software that runs on Apple tablets, will reportedly get a significant overhaul to make iPads more capable when it comes to serious business.

Why it matters

iPads have been powerful enough for most office tasks for years, but their software has somewhat hindered their versatility.

What's next

We should find out more on Monday at the company's software conference, WWDC.

Apple reportedly has some big updates in store for the iPad. At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference next week, Apple plans to announce significant changes to its iPad software, Bloomberg reports, citing people with knowledge of the matter. 

The iPad's next software update, likely to be called iPadOS 16, will reportedly make it function more like a laptop than a phone. The iPad will also get a redesigned interface that makes it easier to switch between tasks and see which apps are open, according to Bloomberg. 

iPad users will also reportedly be able to resize app windows and handle multiple apps at once. Currently iPads can run apps in full-screen mode -- like on iPhones -- or run two apps side-by-side. A scaled-down version of a third app can be slid in from the side, too.

Apple is also expected to announce the iPhone's next software update, likely iOS 16, at WWDC. The changes expected for the iPhone operating system include the addition of smaller apps, called widgets, to the phone's lock screen. Apple might also announce an always-on display for the iPhone 14.

While the software updates are expected to be announced next week, these updates aren't typically available to the public until the fall.

Apple's mostly online WWDC begins June 6 at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. BST).

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Watch this: Apple WWDC 2022 Preview