Apple has released the iPadOS 17.2 Release Candidate (build 21C62) to developers and public beta testers. This release comes ahead of the official launch of iPadOS 17.2, bringing new features and enhancements to the iPad experience. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most notable additions in this pre-release version.
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Overview of iPadOS 17.2
iPadOS 17.2 is still in beta testing as of December 2023. The update will officially roll out to all supported iPad models in early 2024.
This is a major point release that introduces new capabilities and refinements across the system. Some of the areas getting improvements include:
- Multitasking
- Apple Pencil interactions
- Display and graphics
- Siri intelligence
- Accessibility
- Privacy protections
- Under-the-hood enhancements
The iPadOS 17.2 Release Candidate gives us a glimpse of the final changes and updates coming in this firmware upgrade.
Notable New Features and Changes
Here are some of the most interesting features and tweaks spotted in the iPadOS 17.2 Release Candidate so far:
Enhanced Multitasking
The multitasking experience on iPad gets even better with new ways to run multiple apps simultaneously. You can now create overlapping windows of different sizes, drag and drop windows, and save and switch between multitasking layouts more easily.
Apple Pencil Hover Experience
When using an Apple Pencil in supported apps, you can now hover the pencil over elements of the UI to preview actions without actually making a selection. This adds an extra dimension to Apple Pencil interactivity.
Display Scaling Options
More display scaling modes have been added to the Accessibility settings so you can customize text and icon sizes to meet your visual needs. This helps augment readability and ease of use.
Improved Siri Functionality
Siri on iPad gets smarter with iPadOS 17.2. The voice assistant can now handle more advanced commands for system settings, app controls, and device operations. Offline Siri support has also expanded.
New Accessibility Features
People who use assistive technologies to operate their iPad will benefit from new Accessibility capabilities like enhanced VoiceOver gestures. More robust magnifier tools and focus modes are also included.
Refreshed Interface Elements
Small but noticeable changes have been made to the layout of certain interface components like notifications, Control Center, and system menus. These tweaks help streamline commonly used controls.
Summary of Key Additions
Here is a quick rundown of the major improvements rolling out in the iPadOS 17.2 Release Candidate:
<table> <tr> <td>Feature</td> <td>Description</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Enhanced Multitasking</td> <td>New overlapping windows, drag and drop, saved layouts</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Apple Pencil Hover</td> <td>Preview UI actions without making selections</td> </tr> <tr> <td>More Display Options </td> <td>Customizable text/icon sizes for accessibility</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Smarter Siri</td> <td>Advanced commands for system, apps, device control </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Accessibility Upgrades</td> <td>Better VoiceOver, focus, magnification tools</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Refreshed Interfaces</td> <td>Streamlined notifications, Control Center, menus</td> </tr> </table>
These capabilities add to the already robust set of features available in iPadOS. Apple continues refining the software to take full advantage of the powerful hardware in the iPad lineup.
When Will iPadOS 17.2 Launch?
The iPadOS 17.2 Release Candidate represents the final version of the firmware that will ship to the public. Now that it is with testers, the official iPadOS 17.2 update could potentially launch within a couple weeks.
Apple has not confirmed an exact release date, but extrapolating from past updates we can expect a launch in early 2024. Developers and public beta volunteers will continue testing the release candidate build and providing feedback to Apple engineers up until the general launch.
Once released, iPadOS 17.2 will be available as a free over-the-air software update for all compatible iPad models. Users can check for and install the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update on their device.
Conclusion
The iPadOS 17.2 Release Candidate delivers meaningful improvements to multitasking, Apple Pencil use, Accessibility, Siri intelligence, and overall interface refinements. It adds to the iPad’s capabilities as a versatile mobile computing platform.
Developers and beta testers are encouraged to install the 21C62 release candidate build on their devices to test drive the refinements coming before the official iPadOS 17.2 launch. Public rollout should commence in early 2024, bringing nicer multitasking, hover previews, display scaling, smarter Siri, and various Accessibility upgrades to supported iPads.