Apple Explains Why Stage Manager is Limited to M1 iPads in New Statement

[MacRumors]

One of iPadOS 16's key new features is Stage Manager, which allows users to resize apps into overlapping windows for an improved multitasking experience. Stage Manager also fully supports an external display, allowing users to work with up to four apps on the iPad and up to four apps on the external display simultaneously.

To the disappointment of some users, Stage Manager is limited to iPad models with an M1 chip, including the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air. In a statement shared with Rene Ritchie, Apple explained its rationale for this limitation by asserting that the Stage Manager experience "requires large internal memory, incredibly fast storage, and flexible external display I/O, all of which are delivered by iPads with the M1 chip."

Apple's full statement, as shared by Ritchie:

Stage Manager is a fully integrated experience that provides all-new windowing experience that is incredibly fast and responsive and allow users to run 8 apps simultaneously across iPad and an external display with up to 6K resolution. Delivering this experience with the immediacy users expect from iPad's touch-first experience requires large internal memory, incredibly fast storage, and flexible external display I/O, all of which are delivered by iPads with the M1 chip.

For example, the M1 iPad Pro is available with up to 16GB of RAM, compared to 6GB in the previous-generation iPad Pro. Apple also advertises the M1 iPad Pro as having 2x faster storage than the previous-generation model.

While the Stage Manager feature is limited to iPad models with an M1 chip, iPadOS 16 as a whole is compatible with all iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and newer, the fifth-generation iPad and newer, and the fifth-generation iPad mini and newer. The update is currently in beta for developers, with Apple planning to release a public beta in July. iPadOS 16 should be released to all users around September.

Article Link: Apple Explains Why Stage Manager is Limited to M1 iPads in New Statement

 

[HiVolt]

They could have probably made the feature work on older iPad Pro's without the external display support, but you could still have it on the device.

The 2018/2020 were pretty powerful chips.

 

[HappyDude20]

Apple knew this would be a point that was going to be brought up and surely even had this statement and response ready.

Apple challenged themselves with their new M1 chip to push iPadOS to a new limit and achieved it.

Stage Manager looks great. And true external monitor support, cmon.

 

[Crow_Servo]

This brings the M1 iPads closer to Macs, like many wanted last year after the M1 iPads first debuted. It seems to me that Apple is listening.

 

[freakomac]

At least could have given just external display support to the A12Z, maybe not stage manager.

 

[Think|Different]

It’s lose/lose — everyone will just comment they are “lying” as if they know the intricacies of their inner workings, engineering pipeline, or business track. Whether we like it or not, there’s a reason they are a multi-trillion dollar company and it’s not listening to Redditors or MacRumors commentators.

 

[throAU]

They could have probably made the feature work on older iPad Pro's without the external display support, but you could still have it on the device.

The 2018/2020 were pretty powerful chips.

Maybe, but why try to make new features work with old hardware that is approaching end of support?

I get it, nice for the customer, but as far as apple is concerned, it is adding complexity to the codebase for hardware that won't be viable for many more years.

And un-necessary complexity in software is a major source of bugs.

 

[rgwebb]

I'd agree if the A12Z wasn't already on par with some of the chips in macs that will have this feature.

 

[BF1M]

To sell more iPads. Let’s be real. It’s Siri all over again.

 

[Think|Different]

You gotta draw the line somewhere — it reminds me how gamers are pretty much completely fed up that there’s been no new “next gen” games when “next” is now current but devs keep wanting to double dip and capture older consoles with the same release, therefore mostly stifling the innovation for true “next gen” games. The transition to Apple Silicon was always that: a transition. There’s no more transitioning, they are IN it.

 

[Think|Different]

To sell more iPads. Let’s be real. It’s Siri all over again.

Oh yeah — real timely, relevant example. 🤣

 

[BF1M]

Oh yeah — real timely, relevant example. 🤣

How is it not? They said that feature X can’t work on device X but then people prove it can. Insert whatever you want for Siri. Blind fanboyism strikes again.

 

[Rory76]

Maybe, but why try to make new features work with old hardware that is approaching end of support?

I get it, nice for the customer, but as far as apple is concerned, it is adding complexity to the codebase for hardware that won't be viable for many more years.

And un-necessary complexity in software is a major source of bugs.

The 2020 iPad Pro is approaching the end of support??? 🙄

 

[Think|Different]

How is it not? They said that feature X can’t work on device X but then people prove it can. Insert whatever you want for Siri. Blind fanboyism strikes again.

“Can’t work” is not the same as “Not the experience we want to deliver.” I don’t need to insert whatever I want, you’re the one trying to prove a point with a 10+ year example and I never said I agreed with every decision.

 

[Bearxor]

Maybe, but why try to make new features work with old hardware that is approaching end of support?

I get it, nice for the customer, but as far as apple is concerned, it is adding complexity to the codebase for hardware that won't be viable for many more years.

And un-necessary complexity in software is a major source of bugs.

End of support? The 2020 iPad Pro's will get updates for the next four years probably.

 

[minik]

M1 iPad users can enjoy this upcoming features in a few months, pre-M1 iPad Pro users may end up getting the M1 or this year (if there is one) iPad Pro. Next year, all new design iPad Pro.

 

[ersan191]

Why is this statement full of typos? And why does it say "experience" like 7 times? Are you sure this is actually from Apple?

 

[BF1M]

“Can’t work” is not the same as “Not the experience we want to deliver.” I don’t need to insert whatever I want, you’re the one trying to prove a point with a 10+ year example and I never said I agreed with every decision.

Haha, that is the lamest excuse.

 

[MakeAppleAwesomeAgain]

When I switched to the Mac, I started with an iMac 2006 C2D with 1GB of memory. Coming from Windows, I was blown away by its smooth animations (Expose, Front Row, etc.) and multi-tasking capabilities. The last couple of A-series chips are so much better than that old T7200 chip, I’m sure Apple could have found a way to make it work. The Mac Mini A12 ran macOS wonderfully and it didn’t have that weird limit on opened windows.

 

[KittyKatta]

Will I be able to get proper full screen TV/monitor on my Pro 11 2020?

I dont mind missing out on Stage Manager but I just don’t want the black pillars anymore.

 

[Ion-X]

People are going to still whine, but Apple just provided a definitive technical reason. As far as I’m concerned the case is closed.

The same goes for new iOS versions on older iPhones. It’s a super laggy experience that most people wouldn’t actually want, which is why Apple periodically stops supporting older models.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple’s statement does not explain much. I think the simple answer is Apple wants us to upgrade to a new M1 iPad. Anyone remember the support for Siri.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

People are going to still whine, but Apple just provided a definitive technical reason. As far as I’m concerned the case is closed.

The same goes for new iOS versions on older iPhones. It’s a super laggy experience that most people wouldn’t actually want, which is why Apple periodically stops supporting older models.

I bet you some young engineer will find a way to have “Stage Manager” running on a Non-M1 iPad just fine.

 

[yegon]

4-year-old-hardware-misses-out-on-1-new-feature-shocker!

Plenty of fanboys on here, but get over yourselves, what I’m about to say isn’t an example. If it were compatible there’d be the same amount of whinging how 2018 hardware is holding back the M1.

Plus, don’t underestimate the need for more RAM. Only the 1TB 2018 iPP had 6gb RAM, the rest 4gb RAM, meaning the huge majority of 2018 iPad Pros in use today have only 4gb RAM. They can’t be targeting one SKU of a 4 year old product that probably accounts for an absolute minority of iPads sold.

Me? I have a 1TB 2018 11” iPP (boohoo!) and a 12.9” 2TB M1 (yay!)

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

M1 iPad users can enjoy this upcoming features in a few months, pre-M1 iPad Pro users may end up getting the M1 or this year (if there is one) iPad Pro. Next year, all new design iPad Pro.

I agree. That's why it's better to wait for a new iPad will next year. Especially if Apple is planning on releasing it with M2 chip along with a 14.1" screen.