Yeah, in the latest 16.2 public beta, now that they have brought back external monitor support, this shows up with settings options for the iPad screen or the external monitor. I am loving Stage Manager so far. It can only get better from here.
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Thoughts on Stage Manager?
- Thread starter Zelda Chestnut
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As a student, it’s exactly what I wanted, and I mostly use my iPad as a tablet. I frequently have to reference pdfs and other notes I’ve written, and even the internet when I write out solutions and proofs. I had been using the “slide over“ feature before this, and even though it helps, the small size of the slide over window makes it annoying to read text and reference things. If I use the split screen feature instead, my writing surface is too small.
With stage manager, all I need to do is touch between windows; it’s a dream come true. It also serves a similar purpose when I am handwriting things, since I can just use a mouse to click between things without any of the fuss of multitasking.
Something else interesting that I’ve found is that sometimes, apps are just plain too big in full screen. Having the ability to resize them makes things more digestible for my eyes when I don’t need the full screen or when I’m in bed with the iPad close to my face.
All I want now is more flexibility with the resizing and stage, as well as some damn bug fixes!
Edit: I forgot to mention the same thing that jclardy said above - I must turn on the orientation lock while in stage manager in fear of accidentally losing the shapes and sizes of my current window arrangement. Hope they fix this 🥱
With stage manager, all I need to do is touch between windows; it’s a dream come true. It also serves a similar purpose when I am handwriting things, since I can just use a mouse to click between things without any of the fuss of multitasking.
Something else interesting that I’ve found is that sometimes, apps are just plain too big in full screen. Having the ability to resize them makes things more digestible for my eyes when I don’t need the full screen or when I’m in bed with the iPad close to my face.
All I want now is more flexibility with the resizing and stage, as well as some damn bug fixes!
Edit: I forgot to mention the same thing that jclardy said above - I must turn on the orientation lock while in stage manager in fear of accidentally losing the shapes and sizes of my current window arrangement. Hope they fix this 🥱
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This is why I don’t understand the harsh criticism from people that oppose Stage Manager as if this is a “one off” feature with no intentions on improving on it.
I tell people this is version one and there will be plenty of revisions or improvements to Stage Manager going forward… iOS 9 first came out with SplitScreen and had an horrendous app picker. Then that transition to SplitView and SlideOver, later after that users could multitask from SlideOver.
And tbh, the preexisting multitask is still a viable option…. users can make app pairs from the App Expose screen.
Tech is like religion and politics. Emotional, passionate, and very subjective. Especially Apple tech. Even though I love Stage Manager, I have to expect and accept that others may not, even though I don't understand the hate, and the vitriol. Even so, how they feel does not change my viewpoint, and I can only hope, that mine might change theirs. The article I linked below, says a bit about this.
"People buy products with emotions and justify them with logic. Steve Jobs understood this before anyone else did on the tech market."
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Thanks for the info!! I think I’m going to be safe and wait until they release it for the general public. But its great hearing that you’re enjoying it! I basically use my iPad Air as my computer/laptop these days, so i am really excited to see how Stage Manager with External Display takes that to the next level for me. Have fun with it!
You mention… Magnet, which is a Mac application. This is in an iPad thread and Magnet does not exist on the iPad platform. I think Stage Manager doesn’t move the needle on the Mac compared to the iPad… since having multiple windows active already existed on the Mac.
A quote from this MacStories sums up my feelings towards Stage Manager: https://www.macstories.net/stories/stage-manager-ipados-16-1-review/
“they launched a feature that is both too confusing for non-expert users and too limited for pros”
Couldn’t agree more.
The article is worth a read, very thorough dive into Stage Manager, and I actually learned a couple things that improved my experience with Stage Manager. One of the main criticisms I share with the author is the unrefined, automatic window placement. If there was a feature that would allow users to turn that off, I think I would have a much less frustrating time using Stage Manager.
As others pointed out, this is only the beginning of a very ambitious effort. I don’t know if I necessarily agree with the fundamental foundation of Stage Manager, but it’s a start and I’m looking forward to its evolution.
“they launched a feature that is both too confusing for non-expert users and too limited for pros”
Couldn’t agree more.
The article is worth a read, very thorough dive into Stage Manager, and I actually learned a couple things that improved my experience with Stage Manager. One of the main criticisms I share with the author is the unrefined, automatic window placement. If there was a feature that would allow users to turn that off, I think I would have a much less frustrating time using Stage Manager.
As others pointed out, this is only the beginning of a very ambitious effort. I don’t know if I necessarily agree with the fundamental foundation of Stage Manager, but it’s a start and I’m looking forward to its evolution.
I knew where Federico stood before the review was launched... I listened to him throughout the beta cycle on his podcast, so these words were the culmination of those thoughts.
And yeah, I agree... letting users move windows around freely would make it less annoying. But I think gradually its moving in that direction... when I first started using Stage Manager I couldn't move windows where I wanted to, I'll try to place it in an area and then it automatically jumps to a different spot.
But these last few betas... moving windows around isn't as bad as it was before. However, what I think Federico ultimately desires SplitView updated to support a 3rd or 4th window. He already has made it known he is not a fan of overlapping windows.
I agree, it has gotten better.
Still far too many unnecessary boundaries, and more annoyingly, so many quirks. The amount of times I have to resize a window back to the way I had it is wildly unintuitive. I get it, it’s still early. But they shipped it like this! It needed several more betas, IMO. Whether users liked or disliked Stage Manager is one thing, to ship it out with this many bugs is an entirely other thing.
Understanding how to properly open multiple instances of an app and have them in different ”Stages” - while entirely too complicated to preform - is a task that one must know how to execute if they wish to use stage manager efficiently, IMO.
Once I have a few stages set up, I do see the big picture idea, and how it can work. There are just so many tedious, unnecessary rules that you have to know to get it set up correctly.
Still far too many unnecessary boundaries, and more annoyingly, so many quirks. The amount of times I have to resize a window back to the way I had it is wildly unintuitive. I get it, it’s still early. But they shipped it like this! It needed several more betas, IMO. Whether users liked or disliked Stage Manager is one thing, to ship it out with this many bugs is an entirely other thing.
Understanding how to properly open multiple instances of an app and have them in different ”Stages” - while entirely too complicated to preform - is a task that one must know how to execute if they wish to use stage manager efficiently, IMO.
Once I have a few stages set up, I do see the big picture idea, and how it can work. There are just so many tedious, unnecessary rules that you have to know to get it set up correctly.
I don't know if anyone else is like me, but when my iPad is on the Magic Keyboard, I like having Stage Manager enabled. When it's off the MKB, and I'm using it more like a tablet, then I don't like Stage Manager enabled. I wish there was a setting so that it would automatically enable/disable based on MKB connection.
When used with an external monitor, it's really stable and delightful in the most recent public beta. It feels very much like using a Mac connected to an external monitor. That's great, but then I find myself trying to Command+Q to quit, etc.
I also wish there were more granular controls as far as monitor positioning in relation to the iPad.
At this point, I could see paring down my setup to my company-provided 16" MBP (Intel), and my 12.9" M1 iPad Pro. I currently am using a 27" UltraFine with my MBP docked in a Brydge vertical dock. I can simply unplug the cord and put it in the iPad, and then it's ready to go.
For now, though, I'm hanging onto my M1 iMac until I know 100% for sure I can do everything I need on my iPad. But it's a really good desktop experience.
When used with an external monitor, it's really stable and delightful in the most recent public beta. It feels very much like using a Mac connected to an external monitor. That's great, but then I find myself trying to Command+Q to quit, etc.
I also wish there were more granular controls as far as monitor positioning in relation to the iPad.
At this point, I could see paring down my setup to my company-provided 16" MBP (Intel), and my 12.9" M1 iPad Pro. I currently am using a 27" UltraFine with my MBP docked in a Brydge vertical dock. I can simply unplug the cord and put it in the iPad, and then it's ready to go.
For now, though, I'm hanging onto my M1 iMac until I know 100% for sure I can do everything I need on my iPad. But it's a really good desktop experience.
As an idea? Interesting.
As an execution? Terrible.
I use an 11" Pro. If I have more than 4 desktops open at one time I cannot see more than 4 on the stage interface. I can't even scroll the list up and down so I have to resort to the traditional up-swipe. There is no easy way to tell what app is what if I have 4 windows open at one time stacked on top of one another as there is no exposé feature like on the Mac. When I'm on the desktop I cannot LH-swipe to bring up the Stages as it still brings up the useless widget dashboard, so I have to use the traditional up-swipe. If your new feature is not universally accessible and you have to resort to the older feature, it may as well not exist.
Solutions?
Get rid of the widget dashboard and make the LH-swipe bring up a list of notifications. Swipe-up to bring up the window management but make it 3x3. Swipe down from the top of the screen to bring up a 3x3 grid of all open Stages. Allow the user to drag apps between Stages in this setting.
As an execution? Terrible.
I use an 11" Pro. If I have more than 4 desktops open at one time I cannot see more than 4 on the stage interface. I can't even scroll the list up and down so I have to resort to the traditional up-swipe. There is no easy way to tell what app is what if I have 4 windows open at one time stacked on top of one another as there is no exposé feature like on the Mac. When I'm on the desktop I cannot LH-swipe to bring up the Stages as it still brings up the useless widget dashboard, so I have to use the traditional up-swipe. If your new feature is not universally accessible and you have to resort to the older feature, it may as well not exist.
Solutions?
Get rid of the widget dashboard and make the LH-swipe bring up a list of notifications. Swipe-up to bring up the window management but make it 3x3. Swipe down from the top of the screen to bring up a 3x3 grid of all open Stages. Allow the user to drag apps between Stages in this setting.
First off, I do agree that the widget dashboard LH-swipe should be removed… but replacing it with notifications won’t make much sense in terms of consistency.
Stage Manager is meant to give a user a different multitasking environment… not revamping the entire OS. Because if requesting the LH-swipe for list of notifications... then why not do it when Stage Manager isn’t enabled? And I wouldn’t call Stage Manager execution terrible… but some elements should be readjusted a bit.
Right now, my issue with Stage Manager is on external monitor… because we need more options such as closing the iPad in clampshell mode and have access to it on the external monitor. And right now, 5k monitors have the only option to get better scaling (more space). Then one gripe I have right now I cannot drag an off from the App Library.
I’ll have to open up the app from the App Library (this opens as a new stage)… go back to the existing stage where I wanted to place the app in, then drag the app from “recent app windows” to the stage where I initially wanted the app to be.
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Umm.. if I'm not mistaken I seen this workaround in some forum, but I'd rather it be built in.
I have a question for you though, I noticed you are using a Bluetooth keyboard... does it ever auto disconnect? Because when that happens it delinks from Stage Manager... correct?
The workaround is just simply using a full screen black background in the photo app, but yeah, native would be best.
It is a BT keyboard, but has never auto disconnected or unlinked from Stage Manager.
I have a K2 Keychron keyboard that is bullish when it comes to auto disconnects, that's why I decided to connect my iPad+Magic Keyboard in an effort to keep Stage Manager connected.
I have installed the latest beta… Don’t know why but stage manager doesn’t work as before.
Now all the windows not used don‘t stay behind the other… but they go out of the screen… Also if I put the focus on the app (mail in this case) they have a part out of the screen.
Now all the windows not used don‘t stay behind the other… but they go out of the screen… Also if I put the focus on the app (mail in this case) they have a part out of the screen.
Attachments
I just updated to public beta 4, and I don't have any of my apps go off the screen. To the edge of the screen yes, but they all stay on screen and overlap each other just fine.
External Monitor with Stage Manager - iPad OS 16.2 PB4
External Monitor with Stage Manager - iPad OS 16.2 PB4
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Mission control + spaces on iPad isn't macOS - by this logic just letting you have resizable windows = macOS.
Apple keeps trying to reinvent the wheel with windowing after getting it so so right with Expose back in the Mac OS X Panther days. They had something great, mission control, but no, that would be too much like macOS, we have to give all our new engineers something to do so lets let them make something new, who cares if the UX is worse.
Stage manager is both too buggy for me and the fact that it breaks the spatial organization of windows (stacking windows based on app in the multitasking switcher) makes it unusable. The fact that I don't have the ability to spatially drag things around anymore in the multitasking switcher is a huge regression.
They could have added spaces to this screen - treat the fullscreen and split view apps as they already do but have 'spaces' as well and it would work so much better...
Someone at apple really thinks stacking all the windows of the same app in a stack is good UX, they tried it in Lion back in the day and reverted to allow users to turn that off ... it doesn't work here either.
I leave stage manager off and I hate it because it represents bad UX design. Mission control lets you see all your windows so you don't have to do a stupid resize dance that they do on the iPad... I want to have my cake and eat it too and mission control (but an iPad focussed version) would have done that, instead we get something that is just worse...
By Mission Control I believe you mean App Exposé for iPadOS?
But the way you explain your preferences preexisting multitasking fits you perfectly... I don't view Stage Manager as bad UX design, it's a matter preferences. You dislike the stacking of windows whereas I don't have a problem with it, but when using Stage Manager I don't really use App Exposé.
It's all about adjustment because when using Stage Manager I believe the side bar where "Recent Apps" should be utilized more than App Exposé.
I actually mean mission control from macOS. So on macOS we have mission control that you can use to see all overlapping windows and a row of spaces and fullscreen and split view apps at the top. This would have been great on iPad to allow multiple overlapping windows more easily and would allow them to abandon the auto-resizing that happens right now. It also provides a nice integrated with great interaction design.
Stage manger is bad interaction design, it isn't preferences, you can measure number of taps and conceptual complexity. Complex interactions using Stage manger vs mission control on Mac and you can see that mission control offers many of the same interactions in fewer actions. The complexity of the mental model is also worse in stage manager because it has no spatial organization. An adapted mission control would allow similar patterns to come over to the iPad and would offer a much cleaner mental model to users.
Recent apps is not a replacement for app expose, we didn't have to have this compromise and that is what I hate most. Stage manager feels like reinventing the wheel not because the new wheel is better but because 'different' and 'new' are being prioritized.