The iPad is currently more powerful and work-friendly than many of us could have imagined 11 years ago when the first model was launched. Today, people who own thelatest iPad Procan take advantage of high-powered hardware that’s as fast as theMacBook Pro. But one area where Apple’s tablet still lags behind MacOS is pro-level software. That may start changing with a new behind-the-scenes tweak that Apple will begin offering some apps.
In adeveloper documentspotted byMacRumorsthat wasreleased alongside the latestiOSandiPadOS beta software, Apple says app makers can now request more memory (RAM) for their apps. More available app memory means better performance and fewer constraints. So an app likePhotoshopcould potentially support more image layers. Or, iPad video-editing software likeLumaFusioncould remember more of a video project’s timeline without pausing to catch up.
Previously, Apple had limited applications to a maximum of 5GB of memory, whcht limited individual apps to less than one-third of the ultrapowerfulM1 iPad Pro’s potential.
Apple didn’t specify how much extra RAM apps can use under the new rule. And app developers don’t get the additional memory by default. Instead, they’ll need to submit a request to theiPhonemaker.
The extra available memory won’t be available on all Apple devices, either. It will likely be limited to high-end devices like the M1 iPad Pro and perhaps future smartphones like aniPhone 13 Pro. Approved developers will also still need to make sure their apps run smoothly on iOS and iPadOS devices that can’t take advantage of the new limit.
Apple has taken a slow and steady course in transforming its tablet into a workhorse that can, for some people, replace a Mac or Windows PC. While many of the company’s customers were hoping formore significant changesin the upcoming iPadOS 15, this new rule could prove to be another incremental step forward in the iPad’s ability torival a powerful laptop or desktop PC.
