4 issues I hope to see in iOS 19’s rumored desktop mode

It is honest to say that at this stage, we’re deep into rumor season for each the subsequent iPhone and iOS. Whereas issues may properly change with the iPhone 18, for now, Apple continues to be poised to comply with the template from the previous a number of years, launching the iPhone 17 lineup in mid-to-late September, with iOS 19 hitting shortly beforehand. If that’s the case, that implies that the {hardware} should already be finalized, and that iOS 19 is accomplished sufficient to be showcased at WWDC on June 9.

One of many rumors for iOS 19 is that Apple is planning so as to add a Stage Manager-like desktop mode if you’re related to an exterior show. This is not anticipated to show your iPhone right into a full desktop pc, a la Samsung DeX or Android 16’s new Desktop Mode. However I might actually prefer to see that, and it could possibly’t harm to construct a wishlist. Who is aware of — possibly iOS 20 would be the one to take issues all the best way. Apple cannot ignore the competitors eternally.

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1

Working the iPad variations of apps

A no brainer for customers, possibly not for Apple

Apple

Everytime you obtain a “common” app — Apple’s time period for one thing that helps each iPhones and iPads — what you are actually downloading is a single binary with code for each platforms. That is smart, provided that iOS and iPadOS are primarily based on shared expertise. Spinning off separate binaries would simply duplicate efforts. All you really want is code that adapts to the gadget it is operating on.

Because of this, it would not be a lot of a stretch to let iPhones run the iPad variations of apps when an exterior show is detected, increasing apps’ window measurement and performance. There are solely two actual obstacles, assuming a developer has already achieved the work of constructing one thing common. The primary is processor energy — presently, Apple solely permits Stage Supervisor on iPad Airs and Execs, all of which have migrated to M-series processors from the A-series chips discovered on iPhones. Which may not be an enormous barrier, although, provided that Apple prolonged a restricted model of the characteristic to some A-series iPads, like my 2020 Professional.

The true barrier could possibly be Apple’s fears of cannibalizing gross sales. You’ll, in spite of everything, have the ability to do most of what an iPad does together with your iPhone, the one impediment being the necessity for an exterior display, keyboard, and mouse. Perhaps a big touchscreen, extra horsepower, and Apple Pencil assist could be sufficient to proceed promoting folks on iPads.

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2

Mac-style mouse assist

Or one thing much less awkward, anyway

Apple/Pocket-lint

Talking of pairing peripherals with an iPhone, it could be good if Apple stopped pretending that everybody that connects a mouse (or trackpad) is doing so due to mobility points. Accessibility assist is crucial, however the AssistiveTouch system could be awkward and complicated should you’re anticipating one thing extra like macOS or Home windows. One of many first issues most conventionally-abled folks do is tweak mouse settings to make them extra manageable.

When the desktop interface is energetic, AssistiveTouch ought to be opt-in, quite than the default. The first mouse scheme ought to certainly be Mac-like, with a everlasting, extra reasonably-sized cursor that clicks and right-clicks precisely as you’d anticipate. I might prefer to see that on iPads too, now that I give it some thought. On each platforms, although, some builders would want to regulate how their apps reply to enter.

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When it is film evening, it is go-time

Apple

One of many causes folks join an iPhone to an exterior show is video playback. As good as Apple’s newest OLED screens may be, they simply do not maintain a candle subsequent to a good pc monitor, not to mention a 60-inch 4K TV. A method of dodging direct connections is AirPlay — however that is not all the time sensible, provided that many shows do not assist it, or are held again by flaky Wi-Fi networks.

If an iPhone has an app like Netflix or YouTube operating within the foreground, I might prefer to see iOS 19 routinely blow it as much as fullscreen when an exterior show is related, hiding all interface parts if a video is already taking part in. How handy would that be for film nights? You can simply discover and launch a film in your iPhone, then join a USB-to-HDMI cable when the popcorn’s prepared. You’ll be able to technically already leap into fullscreen if, when mirroring, you tilt your iPhone into panorama mode and/or faucet an icon, however I am speaking about streamlining the method.

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4

An all-in-one keyboard/trackpad accent

A person can dream

Since a desktop interface goes to be meaningless with out exterior peripherals, it’d make sense for Apple to supply an all-in-one management possibility. Apple will all the time gladly promote you a Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard, nevertheless it’s a query of comfort — you are most likely going to be much less inclined to make use of a desktop interface if you must carry and pair two separate equipment.

I doubt that Apple will try this given its area of interest usefulness, however nonetheless, I might like to see a compact wi-fi lapboard combining a keyboard and trackpad. That might make it straightforward to arrange store anyplace, together with on the sofa for these film nights I discussed. Even higher could be a folding design — think about with the ability to shortly stuff the lapboard right into a journey bag and work from any display you’ll find (with a appropriate video enter).

One other risk may be integrating a USB-C dock. That might give the iPhone a supply of energy if wanted, or vice versa, relying on how a lot battery capability the lapboard will get. The lapboard would, nonetheless, nonetheless want a USB-C connection to bridge with a show, probably a really lengthy cable certainly — so I am not giving a lot weight to this concept.

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