I’m in Cupertino for WWDC this week, and after yesterday’s whirlwind of announcements and surprises, I had some time to sit down with my 12.9” iPad Pro, install iPadOS 17 beta 1 on it, and try the improved version of Stage Manager. As you know, I have a…complicated history with the iPad’s latest multitasking system.
There are still bugs with Stage Manager and, look, this is not surprising given this is the first beta of iPadOS 17.
I gave Stage Manager a fair shake for a few days when I first installed Ventura, but even after a few days I was damned if I could work out what the point of it was. It wasn’t better in any way I could see than just fullscreening apps, or having task-related apps on a new virtual desktop.
The only thing I could say for it is that if you’re coming to macOS from iPad, there’s a systemic familiarity to help you transition.
But otherwise all I can say is that at least it’s optional.
I gave Stage Manager a fair shake for a few days when I first installed Ventura, but even after a few days I was damned if I could work out what the point of it was. It wasn’t better in any way I could see than just fullscreening apps, or having task-related apps on a new virtual desktop.
The only thing I could say for it is that if you’re coming to macOS from iPad, there’s a systemic familiarity to help you transition.
But otherwise all I can say is that at least it’s optional.