Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 makes Apple’s tablets act much more like a Mac. The optional multitasking system puts applications into floating, resizable, overlapping windows.

Even better, the system can also be used on external displays, greatly increasing the available space to work in.

Here’s how to get started using Stage Manager.

iPadOS 16.2 just launched, and for many users of top-tier iPads, the standout feature is full external display support. This makes Apple tablets far better at multitasking than ever before.

There are other improvements in iPadOS 16.2 as well, including the Freeform collaboration app.

Apple seeded the second iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 beta two weeks after the first beta dropped. The first beta packed plenty of new features and enhancements, and the second beta is no different.

Below is a look at all the changes and everything new in iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 beta 2, followed by an archive of the new features of beta 1.

The new Stage Manager multitasking system is Apple’s answer to requests for floating app windows on iPad. It’s drawn a lot of criticism, much of which is undeserved.

I use the new system all day every day. Here’s why there’s a lot to like in Stage Manager, although there are undoubtedly some problems, too.

Apple listened to a chorus of user complaints by bringing support for Stage Manager to some older iPad models that don’t have the M1 processor. That gives more tablets access to the system that puts iPadOS applications in resizable, floating windows.

But the news isn’t all good. The company also decided to delay full support for external displays until later. The feature won’t be part of iPadOS 16.1 when it launches.

Apple seeded iPadOS 16 beta 7 to developers on Monday, and its build number confirms that the release of this new version has been pushed back several weeks. This is in-line with an earlier leak that iPads wouldn’t see an update until October.

In addition, there has now been no new macOS Ventura beta for over two weeks, showing it’s also not close to release. That’s not surprising, however.

iOS 16, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16 are in the final stages of beta testing, and are expected to become debut in September, as expected.

Code in iPadOS 16 indicates Apple has an internal mode to enable the upcoming Stage Manager multitasking feature on older A-series iPads.

Stage Manager aims to improve the multitasking experience on iPads by adding floating, resizable app windows and other features that make the tablets more like Macs. However, Apple’s decision to keep the feature exclusive to iPads with M1 chips has caused quite a bit of controversy.

Stage Manager is undoubtedly one of the key new features in iPadOS 16. However, its M1 iPad exclusivity has irked a lot of users despite Apple explaining the technical reason behind this.

Craig Federighi, SVP of Apple’s software development efforts, has shared more insight into Stage Manager limitations.

Many of the best features of iPadOS 16 like Stage Manager are only coming to the M1 iPads. This angered a lot of non-M1 iPad users since they believe Apple is intentionally trying to limit the feature to newer devices.

The company has now provided an in-depth technical explanation behind Stage Manager not coming to older iPads.

iPadOS 16 gives Apple tablets some powerful new capabilities, but there have been protests that these are limited to iPad models with the M1 processor. Apple promises this isn’t a trick to force people to upgrade their computers.

The iPad-maker says that only the M-series processors can deliver enough RAM to display eight applications at once.