4 things 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 effectively change with the iPhone 18, for now, Apple continues to be poised to observe 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 laptop, a la Samsung DeX or Android 16’s new Desktop Mode. However I would actually prefer to see that, and it could actually’t damage to construct a wishlist. Who is aware of — perhaps iOS 20 would be the one to take issues all the way in which. Apple cannot ignore the competitors eternally.

Associated

Smartphones are finally starting to offer better battery life, and I couldn’t be happier about it

However will the largest telephone makers be part of the development?

1

Working the iPad variations of apps

A no brainer for customers, perhaps 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 system it is working 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 dimension and performance. There are solely two actual obstacles, assuming a developer has already performed the work of constructing one thing common. The primary is processor energy — at the moment, 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 may very well be Apple’s fears of cannibalizing gross sales. You’d, in any case, be capable of do most of what an iPad does along with your iPhone, the one impediment being the necessity for an exterior display screen, keyboard, and mouse. Possibly a big touchscreen, extra horsepower, and Apple Pencil assist can be sufficient to proceed promoting individuals on iPads.

Associated

Here’s why you should use Stage Manager on your iPad instead of split-screen

Your iPad can really feel much more like a Mac in the event you embrace Stage Supervisor.

2

Mac-style mouse assist

Or one thing much less awkward, anyway

Apple/Pocket-lint

Talking of pairing peripherals with an iPhone, it might 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 will be awkward and complicated in the event you’re anticipating one thing extra like macOS or Home windows. One of many first issues most conventionally-abled individuals do is tweak mouse settings to make them extra manageable.

When the desktop interface is energetic, AssistiveTouch ought to be opt-in, reasonably 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 would prefer to see that on iPads too, now that I give it some thought. On each platforms, although, some builders would wish to regulate how their apps reply to enter.

Associated

How Apple could fix its awful Magic Mouse

C’mon Apple, you are able to do so much higher than this.

When it is film evening, it is go-time

Apple

One of many causes individuals join an iPhone to an exterior show is video playback. As good as Apple’s newest OLED screens is likely to be, they only do not maintain a candle subsequent to an honest laptop monitor, not to mention a 60-inch 4K TV. A technique 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 working within the foreground, I would prefer to see iOS 19 mechanically blow it as much as fullscreen when an exterior show is related, hiding all interface components if a video is already taking part in. How handy would that be for film nights? You might simply discover and launch a film in your iPhone, then join a USB-to-HDMI cable when the popcorn’s prepared. You may 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.

Associated

OLED vs mini-LED vs QLED in 2025: Which TV tech should you buy?

At the moment, you may get stunning picture high quality with out spending a fortune.

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 in all probability going to be much less inclined to make use of a desktop interface if you need to carry and pair two separate equipment.

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

One other risk is likely to be integrating a USB-C dock. That may 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, nevertheless, 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.

Associated

Everything you need to know about PEVs, or personal electric vehicles

You need to use PEVs like e-bikes and scooters to discover, run errands, or pace up your commute.