iPadOS 19 rumors

What to expect at WWDC25.

Author

Leander Kahney
May 27, 2025

With less than two weeks to go until the kickoff of WWDC — Apple’s annual developers conference — the tea leaves point to one of the biggest redesigns of iPadOS 19 in years.

Yeah, yeah, I know, we hear this every year, but this time it’s true!

The rumors surrounding iPadOS 19 suggest that Apple will tweak the tablet’s OS to make it function much more like a Mac. (Again, when have we heard this before?)

It’s hard to believe, but Stage Manager, Apple’s previous attempt to make the iPad more Mac-like, was introduced three years ago at WWDC22.

Since then, Stage Manager has hardly set the world afire. But many iPad power users, like our own Ed Hardy, are qualified fans of the window-management system.

Still, Ed is really looking forward to seeing what Apple rolls out for iPad in a couple of weeks. Until then, here’s all we know about what’s planned.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Around the world, WhatsApp has turned into a kinda “everything” app that does a ton of things besides messaging, like business chat, ordering groceries, etc. That’s why the socials this morning are chattering about the app finally coming to iPad.

  • Apple is rumored to be testing a big, fat 200MP camera sensor for future iPhones, bringing the device closer to matching current flagship Androids. It remains unclear, however, if Apple will use it for the main camera or for zoom.

  • If you ever search for your personal info on Google or ChatGPT, you might be shocked to see what strangers can find out. Luckily, our friends at Incogni can help scrub the web of your personal info — and they offer an exclusive discount for our readers with code CULTOFMAC.

  • Back when the iPhone launched, there were lots of rumors about Apple becoming its own cellphone carrier service, which never came to fruition. In the satellite era, Apple once again looked at running its own space-based communication service, but backed out for a pretty surprising reason.

  • Uh oh. In real-world tests, Apple’s new in-house C1 modem performed pretty abysmally, according to a new study funded by Qualcomm, Apple’s chief telecom rival. Even taking the potential bias into account, the report is pretty ugly.

  • There’s a lot to like about Zagg’s new USB hub for iPad, which includes nice big media controls front and center. But there’s a design quirk you should be aware of. See our hands-on review.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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iPadOS 19 rumors: What to expect at WWDC25

The latest iPadOS 19 rumors indicate the upgrade will make the iPad more Mac-like than ever before. Here's what to expect from iPadOS 19.

The wait is over: WhatsApp launches on the iPad

WhatsApp’s long-overdue dedicated iPad app has finally landed, allowing you to use the messaging platform on the tablet with no workarounds.

Future iPhone might go ultra high-res with 200MP camera

Apple may equip future iPhones with a 200MP camera, as it internally tests such a sensor for the primary shooter.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Nab M4 iPad Pro models at up to $250 off

Right now, a hot M4 iPad Pro deal at Amazon can get you up to $300 off on various models with the specs you need.

tvOS 12 and watchOS 12 to get a visionOS glow-up

Apple will reportedly bring the Vision Pro headset’s sleek design language to tvOS 12 and watchOS 12, giving them a modern look and feel.

Apple almost became a satellite internet provider

Your iPhone and home internet service could have been beamed from satellites in orbit in a service provided by Apple — but no.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Want to write a book? This specialized AI makes it easy.

Tap into popular AI models like ChatGPT and Claude with Youbooks, a new AI book writer that helps you pull together full nonfiction books.

App Store blocks more than $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2024

Apple’s fraud-busting work has stopped more than $9 billion in fraudulent activity over the past five years.

‘Murderbot’ kills it on the streaming charts

If you’re not watching “Murderbot,” you’re missing a sci-fi action comedy that’s earning high ratings.

6-port iPad stand/hub adds convenient media control buttons [Review]

The Zagg 6-port Media Hub features an iPad stand, useful ports and media controls — just right for a home entertainment setup.

Qualcomm study shows its modems outperform Apple's C1 chip

A new Qualcomm study, commissioned by the chipmaker, found its modem chips beat Apple's own in real-world conditions.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs blasts Apple as 'caretakers' in full-page ad

On May 27, 1986, Steve Jobs took a shot at Apple after the company fired Chiat/Day, the ad agency that created the iconic "1984" Macintosh ad.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

If anybody's going to make our products obsolete, I want it to be us.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

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Results from last Friday’s poll: What are the most exciting iOS 19 features?

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