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NEWS
NEWS
Apple working on two 12 inch iPads, split-screen mode, multi-user login
Rumors of a 12 inch plus iPad, dubbed the iPad Pro, have long been doing the rounds. A new report surfaced Thursday detailing a number of features due for inclusion in iOS 9 that are aimed specifically at Apple’s larger screen iPad Pro. Sources said to be familiar with Apple’s plans told 9to5Mac that the company is developing a split-screen mode to allow duel-app viewing, two 12 inch iPads codenamed “J98” and “J99”, and multi-user login support.
Apple may show off the split-screen functionality at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June as part of the expected iOS 9 unveiling, said the report. Multi-user login, meanwhile, will likely only be introduced with the launch of the 12 inch iPad Pro, expected in September.
True multitasking coming to iPad
With split-screen mode, users will reportedly be able to view multiple apps or web pages side-by-side in multiple configurations. This would give iOS parity with similar features that have been available on Microsoft’s Surface tablets and Samsung’s Android tablets for some time.
Intended to debut at WWDC next month, the sources cautioned that the split-screen feature may not make it into the iOS 9 beta as it may require additional work or even be held back to for release alongside the iPad Pro, for which it was originally developed. . Apple has already delayed this feature since it was intended for release alongside the iPad Air in iOS 8 last year in favor of other projects such as the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch.
Two larger-screen iPads in the works
Sources confirmed that Apple is working on not one, but two larger-screen iPads, codenamed “J98” and “J99”. Apple is apparently busy tweaking iOS to make improvements to Siri and Notification Center for the larger-screens.
Multi-user support for iPad Pro
Ostensibly aimed squarely at business environments where multiple users often share devices, Apple is reportedly working on including support for multi-user accounts in iOS to allow users to share a device while having access only to their own content.
While we are unlikely to see multi-user support introduced in iOS 9 at WWDC 2015, the report notes that it may be included in subsequent upgrades to iOS 9 or alongside the iPad Pro in September.
photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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