Facing slowing growth for the first time since the iPad’s 2010 debut, Apple is working on several significant software and hardware updates to reinvigorate the tablet over the next year. Apple is developing a dual-app viewing mode, 12-inch iPads codenamed “J98” and “J99,” as well as support for multi-user logins, according to sources briefed on the plans. First planned for debut last year, the split-screen applications feature for the iPad could be introduced as soon as June at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, while multi-user login support and the 12-inch iPads will apparently arrive later…
Apple had originally intended to debut side-by-side app support with iOS 8 on the iPad Air in 2014, matching the cornerstone feature of Microsoft’s Surface and Surface Pro tablets. In the lead up to WWDC 2014, the feature was deemed too unpolished for public consumption and pulled from iOS 8.0, with tentative plans to appear in iOS 8.1. However, Apple reprioritized its software engineering resources to finish up the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch, opting to cut the split-screen app feature for the time being, and reassign the majority of the engineers who were working on it.
Sources now say that Apple plans to show off the side-by-side feature for iOS 9 using currently available iPad models. The latest plans suggest that the split-screen mode will support 1/2, 1/3, and 2/3 views depending on the apps. When split, the screen can either display two different apps side-by-side, or multiple views of the same app. This would enable iPad users to see two separate Safari tabs, or compare a pair of Pages documents at the same time. Sources are quick to warn, however, that the feature could still be pulled before next month’s conference, as additional polish would be needed to bring it to the same level as other features that will be making their way into the first iOS 9 beta next month.
While Apple has tested the feature with plans to release it for current iPads, we are told that the feature was actually developed with a larger, 12-inch iPad in mind, so it could potentially be held back for a debut with the new hardware. Sources have confirmed that Apple is testing jumbo-sized iPads internally codenamed “J98” and “J99,” which are apparently larger versions of the Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air 2, save for additional speaker holes. Dubbed “iPad Pro” in prior reports, the larger device’s launch date is yet to be locked down, as the tablet is still waiting for its software to be finished up, and new hardware components to be readily available.
While current “iPad Pro” prototypes are said to run a version of iOS that looks like a larger variant of the iPad mini and iPad Air version, Apple’s goal is to further tweak iOS for the bigger iPad so users can better leverage the additional screen real estate. Besides split-screen apps, Apple is considering redesigning core apps and features, including Siri and Notification Center, to be better presented on the larger display. This new iPad is also rumored to have additional keyboard and USB support, and basic manufacturing schematics for the device leaked late last year.
Another significant iPad feature in the pipeline is support for multiple users, according to sources. This feature will allow several users to share an iPad, but have access solely to their own apps, documents, and media, like on a Mac. As of earlier this year, Apple had planned to ship multiple user support in iOS 9, but sources now indicate that the feature has been pushed back from its planned WWDC Keynote debut and is unlikely to be ready for iOS 9.0 this fall. However, the feature is still in simultaneous development with iOS 9 as Apple executives believe it to be critical to the enterprise and education sectors. Consequently, it could be released later this year as a .1 or .2 upgrade to iOS 9, alongside the “iPad Pro,” or next year.
For iOS 9, we have reported that Apple is planning transit directions support for Maps, a font change to the Apple Watch’s San Francisco typeface, and a new Home app to support HomeKit. We first reported in February that iOS 9 will also have a major focus on stability, optimization, and security fixes.
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Seriously, I wish they’d just get these updates out the door already because they won’t really help me be more productive and there are many more things much further down stream that will. Split screen should have been done years ago (right after Microsoft debuted it). Multi-user mode is for families and adds nothing for a professional user.
Make the iPads work as proper “Post PC” devices for cripes sake Apple. You’ve certainly had years and years to do it already.
you whine every day.
At least my name isn’t Barry.
You are wrong. Split screen is pointless. Multiuser is critical for business. Employees sharing a tablet or set of tablets which are used for clients to fill out forms, applications, etc. would need multiuser login to track who is using apps and who is meeting clients. Separate contact lists, calendars, app dats would be easily welcomed by business.
I agree split screen would be nice on a 12″ tablet but more so an app that is the OS X to allow a full on iMac desktop experience, all in one app, synced with Magic Mouse and apple wireless keyboard, this will allow for a truly portable desktop experience. An iOS with full access to those apps and entertainment and with the click of the app have full desktop access without the silly nonsense of pulling from another desktop but the desktop itself built into one app. Now that’s advanced technologies, I should’ve been the CEO of Apple.
Since everyone’s “wrong”, how about a better idea: Why not both!
I’m a professional AND a father, who’s kids want to use “daddy’s” iPad when i’m home. So multi-user is probably more needed for Pro Users than anyone else to keep their work safe and free from kids games and curious little fingers.
The iPad is already THE Post PC device. Split screen mode is idiotic on such small displays, and I’m hopeful that Apple has the sense to limit it to the 12.9″ iPad, where Apps can have a reasonable amount of space.
How did split screen mode work out for microsoft? Pushing lots of tablets? Plenty of them on store shelves, thats for sure.
The issues with Surface have nothing to do with split screen mode and everything to do with the OS. People hate Windows 8. I’m the resident “computer guy” for my friends and family, and every one of them who has bought a PC with Windows 8 asks me if they can put 7 (a few have even asked if they can put XP back on!) on it. These aren’t all bargain bin underpowered laptops, either. There’s a healthy mix of towers and a Surface in there, too.
Because YOU don’t think you’ll use it, you wish they don’t implement it? If it’s a feature that can be turned off with a single toggle what do you care if it’s included or not?
Really looking forward to split screen. This has been one of the key features that has interested in me in a Surface and I almost pulled the trigger on buying a Surface 3 recently. I held off buying my iPad Air 2 until I could confirm it had 2 gigs of RAM specifically in anticipation of this feature. If it’s ready sometime this year I’d really hope they don’t hold it back if the iPad Pro isn’t ready to go with it.
I have worked with several small companies that have one or two iPads that they share among many employees. Multi user support would be great for them.
nobody buys a surface for split screen. people buy it for the software ecosystem. true desktop breed software that doesn’t have any tablet limitations.
If you’re really interested in running “true desktop breed software”, a laptop with a nice keyboard and a good trackpad is going to be a much better choice. Unless your primary use case is you want to draw on the screen, why would you want a Surface for desktop apps? Yes, it doubles as a clumsy tablet too…
“nobody buys a surface for split screen”
well, depends on your usage ;-)
my main point was :
– split screen main frame for Fresh Paint app
– split screen left frame for resource file (to draw from)
doesn’t work on the iPad yet ;-)
but you are right, just for ME it wasn’t the reason for purchase, but at least the reason to use it daily for about a year…
in general: it feels so outdated after just less than a year even it is much younger than my iPad … so i am still using my iPad…
back to the statement: if someone like to use split screen for what ever reason, it could be a selling point ;-)
Yet, you didn’t ACTUALLY BUY a Surface because of it. Neither did anyone else.
Any news about the 6 + getting the split screen addition?
Seriously? I’m expecting Apple to limit it to the 12.9″ iPad, where there is actually enough space. People like you would want it on the 6 Plus right up until the moment you try it and find out, oh, this sucks.
iOS is based on OS X which is based on UNIX… how hard can it be to include multiple user support???
um…very
Riley! What are you doing here??
C’mon, you should buy at least 4 iPads for each member of your family! Haven’t you already?
Exactamundo.
Multi-user support is bad for $$AAPL$$ (bling-bling, kachinga-ching…). See, as much as my love for Apple is fat, my love for AAPL is obese, perhaps morbidly.
So, I’m fine with how Apple will have likely milked that game for as long as possible. Could they have introduced it or split-screen sooner? Of course; it’s simply a matter of resource appropriation, and they chose to allocate those resources to other areas. But the fact that they did so and chose to re-up this effort only when iPad sales demonstrated an extended downward trend shows Apple’s cunning business sense.
Multiple user support for mobile devices is patented by Microsoft, this is why Apple don’t have this… in fact Apple users don’t have this
Hard? Its not hard at all. Apple doesn’t have multiple user support because they’d just as soon have you buy multiple iPads. The market is showing over time that such isn’t happening, so naturally Apple will go in that direction now to increase customer sat with the iPads they already have/will soon buy.
Outside of monetary reasons (they want you to buy multiple devices), Apple is very well-known for holding back on features like this that are resource-intensive until they feel the device can easily handle it, as well as making sure the implementation is elegant. With that said, what they come up with sometimes is neither of those things, but they do make an effort. Keeping multiple profiles in standby on a tablet is going to eat up storage. Considering the biggest-selling iPads are still shipped with only 16GB of storage, it’s unlikely any consumer would be able to make good use of multi-user, because they’d be constantly juggling removing apps and photos to free up space. That isn’t to say it wouldn’t be a boon for businesses with more storage, but they aren’t Apple’s target market.
Split screen is good.. But on its own does not make the ipad a pro device!
We need it to have some serious ram and the ability to run a full fleged application rather than a watered down app !
And we need a good file mangment system !
And an accurate pointing device ( the rummored stylus sounds good )
But just a split screen and larger screen would not make it a pro device !
You keyboard needs to be remapped. Too many exclamation marks replacing periods.
Super bad habit on my side….
Sorry about it.. I dont nean it to be that way .
You sound like the goofballs that were sent back into the woodwork back in 2010. Buy a laptop, nutjob.
Multi user I dont personally have any use for (much rather buy all family members their own iPads) but a welcomed addition for those who would use it but split screen in some fashion or another is so far over due it aint even funny.
The main problem with implementing this kind of thing on iOS is the archaic app screen modeling that iOS uses, which relies upon very specific screen sizes. Microsoft can implement excellent variable split screen sizes because its app model has controls and layouts that can easily reflow to the size of the screen and/or app window size. This is only going to get better and more advanced in Windows 10 (widening the gap with Apple). To the point that Windows Mobile apps will be able to dynamically resize to use the full real estate of a large monitor (see Continuum demos at the Build conference — really amazing).
Apple can implement the split screen stuff, but my guess is that there are going to be issues with one or more of the following: flexibility (inability to create variable sized split screens); proportional issues (split screen window size might be odd due to need to format each split screen window to a specific size ratio); app support (apps will probably have to be reconfigured to support or take full advantage of split screen mode).
more key: it is a lot easier for a desktop app to add touch support than it is for a touch app to become a desktop app. It is not just about the functionality gap where ipad aps are just “light” apps with subsets of the PC versions: touch apps were designed as full screen apps with one window as the entire UX model. They would need to embrace desktop concepts like window management, multi-monitor, multi user and concurrency. Windows, and to some extent OSX apps have refined these behavior over decades and all apps have already embraced these so they are better prepared for the hybrid future.
Tablet apps, born out of simplicity which was once a plus, are now looking clumsy, under powered, wasting UI space and limiting power users.
We already see this: adobe shipped a touch optimized version of photoshop and lightroom, the real things, not some ipad reduced version. They did this because they kept all their code, only took advantage of windows’s touch support at a minimal cost over having to make their cripped iOS/Android apps just as capable. Basically every desktop developer will follow: update for touch = cheaper than update for desktop.
iOS view layout hasn’t relied on size-specific dimensions since AutoLayout in iOS 5, and that was 4 years ago.
Actually, it appeared in iOS 6.
Size Classes — introduced in iOS 8 — make it quite easy to develop apps that display properly in dynamically sized environments.
Size Classes are great for adaptive design but they are not really for “dynamically sized environments”. Size classes are still pre-determined classes where, for instance, iPad is presented in just one “regular” size class regardless of the screen orientation.
My point is that if you have an iPad app that is designed using size classes then it does not mean that once split screen mode is available the app will work and look great. Developers will still need to make necessary changes.
If Samsung can do split screen multitasking, with dynamic sizing, on a phone, there is no reason Apple couldn’t have already done this on the iPad. Apple has the talent and money. Multi user profiles would be absolutely sweet. My kids are 10 years apart and their internet habits aren’t the same.
Microsofts Apps are empty and hideous, hence why it so easy to reshape them into anything. Tradeoffs.
It is so hard to listen to your point of view as EVERY single comment you make is simply obnoxious, opinionated and to be frank, rather infantile.
Blah, Blah, Blah….Calling Steve Jobs! More minor updates of stuff done elsewhere. Just so thrilling. How about a screen that stretches to all 4 edges? How about writing on the surface w/ any plastic tip, in any App, anywhere…and as an option, it converts your writing to Text? (How long ago did Newton do that?)
Split screen? How about 5, 7 or 8 windows dynamically resizable and arranged?
How about a “conversational” Siri? “…today’s weather is….I noticed you’re traveling on Tuesday, would you like the weather forecast for your trip?”
And for Pete’s sake, can someone a Apple finally license the voice of “Hal”? (2001 Space Oddessy)
I’ve been calling for multi-user support since the first generation iPad was released. There’s the argument that shared devices will reduce sales, but it’s clearly an idea who’s pros outweigh the cons.
Touch ID should make this quite easy to implement and I wouldn’t be surprised if the next gen Magic Mouse had Touch ID for the same purpose. In my 4 person family we have (2) 27″ iMacs, (2) iPhone 6, (1) iPhone 5, (2) iPod Touch, (1) Apple tv, (1) iPad Retina and (1) Mac Mini Server. And even though everyone in the family has at least one device of their own, there are still devices we share like the computers and iPad. I have multiple users set up on all the computers and it’s only logical that iOS devices would offer the same functionality.
When any member of the family picks up the iPad for example, they should see THEIR Mail, Contacts, Safari bookmarks, Photos, Messages, Facebook profile, their game progress, etc. It’s just common sense. And if anything, Apple would sell more higher capacity units and iCloud storage to supplement this. It’s seriously a no-brainer and I have no idea why it’s taken this long. And even if I have my own device, I don’t always want to carry it room-to-room in the house. I’d rather pick up the iPad on the coffee table and log in with my fingerprint. I honestly do not understand anyone who doesn’t use multiple users (like my parents) or shares email addresses and Facebook accounts.
I must also mention that the new Apple tv needs multiple users as well so that each person can view THEIR iTunes library and playlists, save THEIR app arrangement on-screen, etc. And while mentioning iTunes, can Apple please add the ability to tag songs as “Explicit” that weren’t purchased through iTunes? It would be so much easier to create a Smart Playlist that excludes explicit music, which BTW, iTunes Match often incorrectly censors on it’s own. Iv’e been requesting these features over and over through the submit feedback option in the app and they never seem to materialize. Details matter. Make it so and then take my money.
Apple did add one feature I submitted (probably along with many other users) – If you enter a birth year for a friend or family member in Contacts, Calendar will display the birthday number being celebrated. Example – Ashley’s 10th Birthday.
Good first step. I also requested that that functionality be extended to Anniversaries so I know what milestone anniversary someone is celebrating. “Family cards” for contacts with children whose birthdays I want to remember without creating separate cards, especially if they’re too young to have any contact information of their own such as an email address or phone number. A way to mark the date that someone passed. Like Tim Cook who has not removed Steve Jobs from his Contacts, I also don’t want to remove my Grandparents or best friend who died way too soon. I might like a reminder to remember to contact his widow on the anniversary of his death. These are real world examples of what the software should do to make our lives better.
The Apple TV already has multiple user accounts. Add as many iTunes accounts as you like and switch between them – it even remembers your home page layouts,
If you use shuffle, you can exclude certain songs from playing that way. Just a thought until they get your fix done.
Because they sell more iPads without multi-user.
If this doesn’t come to the iPad Air 2… although I think it will because 2GB RAM, 3-core processor, TouchID (for multi-users) makes the hardware perfect for it. Please apple.
Sounds like almost nothing is ready for iOS9
Unless it runs proper desktop apps, it is not going to challenge surface at all. It will just be a big tablet like the many big 12 inch android tablets out there. REAL photoshop. is REAL premiere pro. Real mutli-monitor support, Real multi-user and multi-window support. Real domain join capabilities with the huge selection of 16 million monthly apps (according to MS build 2015 stats). Compare that to 1 million iOS apps most of which are for phones only. That is why people buy surface and surface-like devices: the ecosystem.
It is too late to try to start a new productivity ecosystem. They are better off adding touch support to OSX and shipping hybrids instead of bothering with the limited and tablet challenged UX from iOS apps. I imagine a mac that had a cover like surface would prove far more productive than any big ass ipad.
Sorry but “challenge Surface”? Microsoft would kill a bus load of nuns on a daily basis to have iPad sales numbers.
We aren’t on about sales – we are about functionality.
Why is it that whenever anybody defends Apple it ALWAYS comes down to either “Apple make the most money” or “Apple sell the most”?
A product’s success is measured by its sales. There is literally no other way to measure it.
Expensive products don’t need to be sold as much as more affordable products. Some products are niche products. So no, sales numbers aren’t the only way to measure succes, in fact sometimes they don’t even tell half the story.
I would say usage statistics, user satisfaction and especially what users are able to achieve with the product. These measurements, although harder to measure than simple sales numbers, are more important in the long run for a products success.
Without the aforementioned success qualities, a customer might not rebuy the product from the same company or not recommend it to any friends. Also: if I were the only person by which Apple Watch sales (and thus success) were measured, they would suck because I didn’t buy one. However, I think it’s a great product so I’m anticipating on buying the second gen.
“Real premiere pro”? Are people falling over themselves to run Premiere on a Surface? Why would they? Multiple monitors? Why would they? I’m sure it’s been done, but it’s a pretty poor piece of hardware for that. Just because a Surface is capable of launching something doesn’t mean it’s any good at running it once it launches.
Challenge the Surface! That’s a good one, what are they doing to, battle it out against each other on store shelves? iPads would keep getting disqualified for leaving the fight (and the store).
People BUY Surface? I thought most of them sat on shelves.
As a previous Surface Pro owner, I actually quite dislike multi-app layouts. 12 inches is not a lot of territory to be sharing 2 apps going on at once, and going halfsies becomes a battle for which apps are more important to you. I will give that it works well for leaving something like Notes or Mail open as a sidebar with Safari or YouTube taking up majority, but jump into actual typing and you lose all of the space and have to see 10% of the app zoomed in while typing. It’s not fun, and it’s definitely a feature I never used in Windows 8.
I personally use the swipe gesture that slides immediately between your apps. Full screen as intended, pretty much just as fast. If it’s like the Windows 8 multi-app viewing, then I have the choice not to use it, so I won’t complain. Looks like there’s a good number of people who find use from it.
I agree completely. Split-screen layouts don’t make much sense on 10″ to 12″ devices – on an iMac, sure. Multi-user support, OTOH, can be very handy.
Even on a larger screen I sort of question it (at least on OS X), since the gestures are so tightly integrated and easy to use. I believe there’s a reason lots of professional development people either turn to a single large screen Mac using full screen apps or dual/triple monitor Windows.
But like I said, some people get better productivity that way. Whatever works, I just hope all options are actually optional.
Multi-user is long past due. It’s not difficult to implement. They just figure they can sell more iPads without it.
It’s unfortunate that Apple has decided to string its users along on something as simple as split screen capabilities for the iPad. It speaks to the decline of simple elements of usability, and the lowering of the threshold of expectations.
There’s no justification for having users wondering whether something so basic to the use of the iPad will or will not be implemented, and suggests just one explanation for dwindling enthusiasm for the product line. The iPad should be equal parts convenient and usable. Convenience is inherent to its design, usability on the other hand . . .
What about split screen for 6 and 6 plus. They have the screen size for that…
Because making split screen on an iPhone 6+ would mean conceding that Samsung got it right when they introduced split screen on the Galaxy Note 2 3 years ago…
No, they definitely don’t. Its questionable if the 9.7″ iPad has the space for it.
Multiple users is such a major feature that it wont be a dot.something improvement. Either it’s in iOS 9 or it will be next year in iOS 10. Not in between. BTW, I suggest that Apple may be going South on the iOS current numbering. Same as for MacOS X. Maybe not this year, though…
I disagree. Apple can definitely release that feature in a dot release. There’s no reason, other than scarce engineering sources, that they need to wait for a whole new iOS release just for that. If split-screen multitasking and multi-user support was made with the 12″ iPad mind, then I think Apple should announce those features when that device debuts.
I believe that Apple is doing the right thing by not rushing introduction of the split screen mode.
It is actually very difficult to design a split screen mode that will not negatively affect user experience of the existing apps. It should be done very carefully and not of the expense of the usability.
very true.
Dear God I hope that’s not real… what a monumentally stupid idea.
A 12″ iPad is an instant buy for me. Many other users as well.
“Facing slowing growth for the first time since the iPad’s 2010 debut….”
The iPad hasn’t seen any year on year growth in sales since Q1 2014. From there it’s seen on average 15% drop in sales year on year. If Apple were making these change due “slowing growth” we would have seen them a long time ago.
I wonder if Apple sees the iPad as an enterprise device?
Why is this stickied?
Problems:
1. Performance will be bad when two heavy apps are running.
2. Even a 9.7″ screen isn’t really large enough to focus on two simultaneously running experiences without serious compromises.
3. Many apps rely on the 3:4 aspect ratio and are designed to take full advantage of the display. Some content just needs that aspect ratio. iMovie for example would be worse on a slim column of space.
4. The App Switcher UI will be far more complicated.
5. (Worst problem): it wouldn’t encourage developers to write powerful 2/3-pane UI’s like most landscape iPad apps have these days. That’s one of the main selling points in my view.
6. Typing cursor focus won’t be as obvious as in case there is just one app.
7. Yet another interfering gesture for enabling and resizing multiwindow.
8. Resizing column takes up space
9. Most games would simply not work at all in split screen
10. If it needs dev adaptation, it’ll be a hot mess. Especially if we’ll be waiting for all our favorite apps to get drag&drop (if at all supported by this split screen mode)
This is some crazy shit! You all bash Samsung and Google at every chance, but when your beloved Apple copies the very same features, it’s like OMG, Apple is the best!!!! I guess you are all really hard up to use real innovative features that Samsung and Google have been giving Android for years.
I love tech and have lots of Apple products but I just can’t get excited by the larger iPad, even when I read the improvements, for me they just don’t seem enough. I have more excitement with the direction of the Macbook.
This interesting post itself is just the tip of the iceberg. I had more fun reading all these interesting comments, and I’m sure writer Mark does too
Instead bigger iPads, do smaller MacBooks!!!!