While Apple’s iPhone 6 models achieved record-breaking sales, it hasn’t been a great year for the iPad. The product category witnessed the first slowdown ever since its 2010 debut, and maybe this is the reason why the company is planning some nifty updates for the device.
The company is working on some significant improvements for its 12-inch iPads codenamed ‘J98′ and ‘J99′ in terms of hardware and software to help revamp the tablet lineup over the next year, according to a report by 9To5Mac. The company is developing a dual-app viewing mode.
Initially, Apple had planned side-by-side app support with iOS 8 on the iPad Air, to stay at par with Microsoft’s Surface tablets. However, the feature was considered to be too unpolished for public release and eventually pulled out of iOS 8. Now, it is planned for iOS 9.
The split screen mode will show 1/2, 1/3, and 2/3 views depending on the apps. This will allow users to look at two different apps side-by-side, or even multiple views of the same app. Basically, you can view two Safari tabs at the same time, or a large productivity app in parts. The company is expected to announce it at the WWDC next month.
However, the feature was being tested to be launched with the long-time-rumoured and much-delayed 12-inch iPad, so the company could still hold back not announce it for the current iPad range.
The sources have also confirmed to the news site that the company is testing the large 12-inch iPads, which are said to be larger versions of the Wi-Fi-only (J98) and Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air 2 (J99). These iPads were earlier known as iPad Pro.
The iPad pro prototypes currently run a version of iOS that is similar to the iPad mini and iPad Air versions, but the company is planning to tweak it further to enable users to take advantage of the larger screen real estate.
The company is also planning to redesign core apps such as Siri and Notification Center. The support for multiple features could further allow several users to access the iPad and eventually their own apps, documents, media and so on. However, this feature may not be seen at the WWDC next month, the sources told the news site.
With iOS 9, Apple is known to be planning transit directions in its Maps app, new font for the Apple watch and Home app support for Homekit.
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