Apple reveals its new iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura operating systems

Apple reveals its new iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura operating systems

In addition to its new hardware announcements at WWDC 2022, Apple also announced the latest versions of its desktop and mobile operating systems. While there wasn’t much explicitly on the photography or videography front, there are a few notable updates that could make creatives lives a little easier across Apple’s ecosystem. Here’s a rundown of some of the most significant features and updates.

Stage Manager

The first feature Apple showed off for its iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura operating systems is Stage Manager, a new take on workspace organization. Stage Manager aims to remove the scattered mess of windows you have open by grouping them together on the side of the display while the window you’re currently working in will be prominently displayed in the middle.

Switching between windows is as easy as tapping on the appropriate app or window group off to the side and grabbing assets from the desktop can now be done by tapping on the desktop outside the active window and dragging the files wherever needed.

This works more or less the same across both iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura and even enables a new method of working with an external display plugged into your iPad. Now, instead of only being able to mirror the display to an external monitor, iPadOS 16 lets you make full use of the external monitor as a second display with a different windows and apps open from those on your iPad. It doesn’t appear to be full external display support, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Spotlight

Apple has also updated Spotlight to improve search across all of its operating systems. In addition to more detailed search results and the ability to ‘Quick Look’ at files, Spotlight can now run Shortcuts, search for images in your Photos app library and even look for text in images within your Photos app library.

iCloud Shared Photo Library

Apple has also added a new shared photo feature called iCloud Shared Photo Library. This allows you to create an independent library that can be shared and synced with all the family members on your iCloud account.

Now, instead of having to create individual albums, you and your family members can mark photos to be shared in the iCloud Shared Photo Library, either before or after an image is taken. iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will even group together images and suggest you share them when it recognizes you and your family members are nearby for an event or activity.

Reference Mode

One major critique of Apple’s iPad devices by professionals is the inability to control the display profiles to enable more accurate color management across devices and platforms. Now, 12.9” iPad Pro models can switch between different display reference color profiles for popular color standards, as well as both SDR and HDR video formats.

This works when both using the iPad as a standalone device or as a secondary display with your macOS device via Sidecar. Apple hasn’t yet confirmed what specific color standards and video formats will be supported, but we’ll update this list once that information goes public.

Camera Continuity

Another feature Apple announced is the ability to use your iPhone as a webcam with compatible macOS computers.

‘Simply bring iPhone close to your Mac and it automatically switches to iPhone as the camera input,’ says Apple. There’s no need for cables or other connections and when using an iPhone with a compatible Ultra Wide camera, Center Stage can be used to automatically track subjects within the frame. Also included is the ability to use Apple’s Studio Light and Portrait Mode functions using your iPhone camera for AI-powered enhancements without the need for additional software.

Wrapping up

You can find all the new features and functionality in iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura on Apple’s dedicated preview pages for each operating system.