iPadOS 15 is expected to be announced at WWDC next month, and we're pretty excited about some of the rumored new features. Though nothing has been leaked yet, there is some solid speculation about what may be coming to the iPad, including widgets, improved privacy options, and which old iPads may no longer be supported. We've also taken a look at what iPadOS features users hope to see, and whether or not this is likely. We'll also go over the likely iPadOS release date.
iPadOS 15 Release Date
We are expecting Apple to announce iPadOS 15 at WWDC 2021 which will take place June 7 at 10 a.m. PDT. Typically the beta for a new OS goes live right after an announcement, but the full release likely won't be until the fall.
iPadOS 15 Supported Devices
iPadOS is expected to drop support for some of the older devices, such as the iPad mini 4 and the iPad Air 2. The devices expected to still have iPadOS 15 support are:
- iPad Air 4
- 10.2-inch iPad 8
- 11-in. iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
- 12.9-in. iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generation)
- 1st generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 2nd generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- iPad (5th and 6th generation)
- 5th generation iPad mini
- 3rd geneartion iPad Air
- 7th generation 10.2-inch iPad
- 1st generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- 1st generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
Related: iOS 15: Predictions, Rumors & Wish List for the Next iOS Update
Rumored New iPadOS Features
A Bloomberg report promises the most significant Home screen update since the launch of the iPad in 2010. While they remained vague, we have some thoughts of what this could mean (looking at you, widgets!). So let's take a look at some of the more likely features.
Widgets
The Bloomberg report focused mostly on the Home screen changes that they claim will be coming to the iPad, specifically widgets. While the iPad has widgets in the Today View, if this report is to be believed (and Bloomberg tends to do pretty well in this area), iPadOS 15 will bring widgets to the iPad Home screen. We may even have the option of replacing every Home screen icon with a widget. Considering Home screen widgets were one of the more popular features of iOS 14, adding them to the iPad seems like a natural next step.
Notifications
The final thing the Bloomberg report told us to anticipate is changes to notifications. Apparently we can expect to be able to set statuses and have our notifications and auto responses change based on that. This has been available on the iPhone in some form for a bit now—you can turn on Do Not Distsurb and set an auto response—but now you may be able to customize when you get notifications and what kinds based on if you're working, sleeping, driving, and more.
iPadOS 15 Wishlist
Battery Savers
The typical iPad battery offers a comfortable amount of casual browsing time, but its multitasking options are a rapid drain. While battery life tends to be a hardware issue more than anything we'd see significantly changed in a new OS, new power-saving options, such as Low Power Mode could help ensure that your battery is going toward the right things. This is a priority for many iPad users, so we will see if anything manifests this time around.
Better External Monitor Support
Again in the area of multitasking, many wish for better external monitor support for the iPad. The new M1 processor for the MacBook pro certainly could leave room for this, and the focus on improving the iPad bodes well for those who dream of their iPad Pro making up their entire work station. Again, no rumors regarding external monitor support or what the M1 chip could do for iPadOS 15 exist just yet, but we're keeping an eye out.
App Library
While many people were frustrated with the App Library introduced in iOS 14, I personally would love to see it come to the iPad. It's a great way to keep my Home screens free of apps I don't frequently use, and the search function saves me endless scrolling.
What are you hoping to see with iPadOS 15? Comment below to let me know! For rumors on the other software updates, including iOS 15, macOS 12, and watchOS 8, read this. Plus, check out the rumored hardware updates coming to iPad this fall!
