Can iPadOS 19 Finally Fix Multitasking?

The iPad has always been Apple’s most confusing product—a device caught between being a casual tablet and a serious productivity machine. For years, users have begged for better multitasking, especially on the high-end iPad Pro models that rival MacBooks in power and price. Now, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iPadOS 19 (expected at WWDC on June 9) might finally deliver the overhaul we’ve been waiting for.

The State of iPad Multitasking: A Messy History

Apple’s first real attempt at iPad multitasking came with iOS 9 in 2015, introducing Split View and Slide Over. These features were revolutionary at the time, allowing two apps to run side-by-side but they were designed for much weaker hardware.

Fast forward to 2022’s iPadOS 16, and Apple introduced Stage Manager, its most ambitious multitasking update yet. Promising Mac-like window management, it was supposed to be the answer to the iPad’s productivity woes. But the launch was rocky:

• Buggy performance (windows disappearing, apps freezing)
• Confusing gestures (even tech reviewers struggled)
• Limited to M1 iPads and newer (alienating older devices)

Despite improvements in iPadOS 17, Stage Manager still feels half-baked. Power users like Federico Viticci of MacStories have documented its flaws extensively from inconsistent window snapping to frustrating external display support.

What iPadOS 19 Needs to Fix

If Apple is serious about making the iPad a true laptop alternative, iPadOS 19 must address:

1. Window Management That Doesn’t Fight You

• Freeform window resizing (not just fixed splits)
• Proper app overlapping (like on macOS)
• Persistent window layouts (so apps don’t reset when switching)

2. Real External Display Support

Currently, using an iPad with a monitor feels like an afterthought:

• Black bars on non-matching aspect ratios
• Limited resolution options
• No independent display control (mirroring is the default)

If Apple wants pros to ditch laptops, the iPad needs true multi-monitor flexibility.

3. A File System That Makes Sense

The Files app is still a far cry from macOS’s Finder. Basic features like:

• Batch file operations
• Advanced search
• Proper compression/extraction tools

…are either missing or clunky.

Will Apple Go Far Enough?

Gurman’s report suggests iPadOS 19 will make the iPad “more like macOS” but not full macOS. That’s a smart move. The iPad doesn’t need to become a Mac; it needs to borrow the right features while keeping its touch-first DNA.

Potential game-changers we’d love to see:

• Virtual desktops (like Spaces on Mac)
• Keyboard shortcut customization
• Better app interoperability (dragging content between apps seamlessly)

The Stakes Are High

With the M4 iPad Pro now more expensive than some MacBooks, Apple can’t afford another half-baked update. If iPadOS 19 nails multitasking, it could finally justify the “Pro” moniker. If not? The iPad will remain a fantastic tablet that’s still not quite a laptop.

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