Jun 19th 2025
AI created, human reviewed.
This week on MacBreak Weekly, our panel dove deep into Apple's most significant iPad update in years - and why it changes everything.
For nearly a decade, the iPad Pro has been caught in an uncomfortable middle ground. Apple's marketing promised a device that could replace your laptop, but the software consistently fell short of that ambitious vision. Week after week on MacBreak Weekly, we've discussed the same frustrating limitations: clunky multitasking, background app restrictions, and windowing that felt more like a compromise than a solution.
That narrative just changed dramatically with iPadOS 26.
During our latest episode, the gang discussed insights from interviews with Apple executives coming out of WWDC 2025, particularly Craig Federighi's candid admission about what really happened behind the scenes. Rather than continuing to patch and modify the existing multitasking system, Apple made a bold decision: throw it all away and start over.
Federighi's explanation was refreshingly technical rather than the usual marketing speak. The previous iPad multitasking wasn't just limited by philosophy - it was constrained by real hardware limitations. Early iPads simply couldn't handle the processing demands of true multi-window interfaces while maintaining the responsive, direct-touch experience users expected.
The panel discussed how Apple set specific performance targets that seemed impossible at the time: four windows running simultaneously on the main display, plus four more on an external monitor, all while maintaining smooth 120Hz responsiveness. Until Apple Silicon arrived, particularly the latest M-series chips with dramatically increased RAM, these goals remained out of reach.
Alex Lindsay brought up an important distinction that many users have missed. Stage Manager, which caused so much confusion when it launched, is no longer the primary multitasking interface. Instead, it's become what it should have been from the beginning: an optional window management tool, just like on the Mac.
The new system brings genuine Mac-style windowing to iPad. Jason's hands-on experience revealed that windows can be positioned anywhere, dragged off-screen edges, and managed with the same keyboard shortcuts Mac users have relied on for years. The implementation includes Exposé functionality and all the window tiling features Apple added to macOS, complete with keyboard shortcuts for power users.
Andy Ihnatko emphasized how this represents a significant cultural shift at Apple. The company has moved away from the dogmatic position that iPad interfaces must be fundamentally different from Mac interfaces. Sometimes, he noted, the Mac way of doing things is simply better, and there's no shame in adopting proven solutions.
One of the most practically important improvements discussed was the introduction of finite background processing. Jason highlighted how frustrating it's been to start a Final Cut export on iPad only to be trapped in the app until completion.
The new system allows users to initiate tasks like video exports, 3D renders, or large file transfers, then switch to other apps while a live activity indicator shows progress. This seemingly simple feature represents a fundamental shift in how iPadOS handles resource management, bringing it much closer to desktop-class computing expectations.
The panel spent considerable time discussing how these changes will ripple through the app ecosystem. Andy pointed out that Apple's developer sessions made it clear that third-party apps will need to adapt to arbitrary window sizes or risk looking outdated. This requirement, which Apple can enforce in ways other platform vendors cannot, should accelerate the development of truly responsive iPad apps.
Jason noted that Apple's willingness to provide extensive new APIs alongside these features shows a more collaborative approach with developers. Rather than keeping advanced features locked away, Apple is empowering third-party developers to create experiences that fully utilize the iPad's capabilities.
Throughout the discussion, all four hosts acknowledged that this update addresses the core criticism that has followed iPad Pro since its 2015 launch. For years, reviews have followed a predictable pattern: praising the hardware while lamenting software limitations that prevented the device from living up to its potential.
Leo suggested this represents a broader renaissance in Apple's software development, pointing to improvements across platforms as evidence that the company has resolved whatever internal issues led to years of incremental, underwhelming updates.
Alex provided an interesting perspective on adoption cycles, noting that his family still uses first-generation iPad Pros that remain perfectly functional. This durability, while good for consumers, creates challenges for Apple in driving upgrade cycles. However, software improvements like these provide compelling reasons for users to consider newer hardware that can fully support these advanced features.
The conversation revealed how this update positions iPad more confidently in Apple's product lineup. Rather than trying to protect Mac sales by artificially limiting iPad capabilities, Apple seems to have embraced the idea that both platforms can coexist and excel in their respective domains.
Jason's observation about the dropping of dogmatic positions resonated throughout the discussion. Apple appears more willing to adopt the best solutions regardless of their origin, whether that's bringing Mac windowing to iPad or opening up previously restricted APIs to developers.
The hosts agreed that this represents more than just a software update - it's a validation of the iPad Pro concept that's been years in the making. For users who invested in iPad Pro hardware based on Apple's promises, iPadOS 26 finally delivers the software foundation those promises required.
This deep dive into iPadOS 26 represents just one segment from this week's MacBreak Weekly. The full episode also covers the breakthrough in Vision Pro personas, Apple's $200 million F1 movie investment, the company's broader software renaissance, and much more. Listen to the complete discussion wherever you get your podcasts or visit twit.tv to catch up on everything you missed.
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