What to Expect From Apple Through October: New iPad Pro, iOS 16.1, and More

While it looks increasingly likely that Apple will not be holding an October event this year, the company still has a lot on its agenda this month, with multiple new product launches and software releases expected over the coming weeks.

ipad pro m1 feature
With the iPhone 14 Plus launch in the rearview mirror, we have recapped what else to expect from Apple through the remainder of October below.

iPadOS 16 With Stage Manager

Apple said iPadOS 16 will be released in October, and while the company did not provide a specific day of the month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the software update is on track to be released during the week of Monday, October 24.

iPadOS 16 Header
iPadOS 16 was expected to be released in September alongside iOS 16, but Apple delayed the software update until October, likely to focus on making improvements to Stage Manager after some users criticized the feature's various shortcomings. Due to the delay, the update will be released as iPadOS 16.1 instead of iPadOS 16.0.

Stage Manager was initially exclusive to iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip, but Apple recently expanded the feature to older iPad Pro models with A12X and A12Z chips released in 2018 and 2020. The feature lacks external display support on the older models, which limits the feature to four apps on the built-in display.

iPadOS 16 is compatible with all iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the fifth-generation iPad mini and later, and the fifth-generation iPad and later.

New iPad Pro

Apple is expected to release updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models this month, with key new features rumored to include the M2 chip and support for MagSafe wireless charging. Given that Apple apparently does not plan to hold an October event this year, the new iPad Pro would likely be announced with an Apple Newsroom press release.

ipad pro purple
Apple last updated the iPad Pro line in April 2021, with new features including the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G support for cellular models, a brighter display on the 12.9-inch model, and an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Apple's Center Stage feature, which helps keep you within the frame in video apps like FaceTime.

Apple is also expected to update its entry-level iPad this month with a new design consisting of a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, and a flat-edged chassis with a rear camera bump. Other rumored features include an A14 Bionic chip and 5G support for cellular models.

iOS 16.1 With Live Activities and More

Apple will likely release iOS 16.1 alongside iPadOS 16.1 this month given that the latest betas of each update share the same build number. The software update will include several new features for the iPhone, such as Live Activities support in third-party apps, a Clean Energy Charging option in the United States, support for Matter accessories in the Home app, Apple Fitness+ workouts without an Apple Watch, and more.

ios 16 live activities feature
Apple is also expected to release iOS 16.2 before the end of the year, as there are still promised iOS 16 features such as Emergency SOS via Satellite and Apple's new collaborative whiteboard app Freeform that have yet to launch.

macOS Ventura

Apple said macOS Ventura will be released in October, but the company did not provide a specific date. It's likely that macOS Ventura will be released alongside iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 in the final week of October, especially given that macOS Monterey, iOS 15.1, and iPadOS 15.1 were all released on Monday, October 25 last year.

Ventura Macs Feature Yellow
macOS Ventura features its own version of Stage Manager for keeping windows front and center, a redesigned System Settings app, support for using an iPhone as a Mac's webcam, all-new Clock and Weather apps, and more.

New Macs

In late August, Gurman said Apple had been working on new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models with M2 series chips, adding that we were "likely to see at least a pair of those machines about two months from now," which lines up with October. Gurman now believes the new Mac Pro is more likely to launch in 2023, but there is still a possibility of updates to the MacBook Pro and Mac mini alongside macOS Ventura this month.

14 vs 16 inch mbp m2 pro and max feature 1
Rumors suggest the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will be equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, but have few other changes. The new Mac mini is expected to be updated with M2 and M2 Pro chip options.

Other Dates to Remember

  • Back to School promotion in Europe ends soon: Apple's annual Back to School offer ends on October 17 in European countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, so act fast if you are a student interested in up to a £120 or €150 Apple gift card with the purchase of a qualifying new Mac or iPad.
  • Ask Apple sessions: Apple this week announced Ask Apple, a new series of interactive Q&As and one-on-one consultations that will allow developers to connect directly with Apple employees for insight, support, and feedback. The first Ask Apple sessions will take place on October 17-21.
  • Earnings report: Apple will announce its fiscal Q4 2022 earnings results on October 27 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Caution)
Related Forums: iOS 16, macOS Ventura

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
iPhone 12 Made in India

Trump Tells Tim Cook to Stop Building iPhones in India

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:21 am PDT by
President Donald Trump has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the company's manufacturing expansion in India, in a potential disruption of Apple's plan to shift iPhone production away from China. "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said during his state visit to Qatar, according to Bloomberg. "He is building all over India." "They [India] have offered us a deal where...
apple music

Apple Music Gets New Transfer Tool to Make Switching From Spotify Easier

Wednesday May 14, 2025 5:17 pm PDT by
Apple this week introduced a new feature designed to allow prospective Apple Music users to import their saved music and playlists from third-party music services to Apple Music. The feature is either in an expanded testing phase or it has started rolling out, and it is available in Australia and New Zealand according to an Apple Support document. Signs of the transfer option first surfaced...
maxresdefault

Here's the First Real-World Look at Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:52 am PDT by
The first videos of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience are now available, providing a never-before-seen look at the long-anticipated iPhone-linked infotainment software. British automaker Aston Martin today shared the first video of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience in-action, followed by a detailed walk-through of the CarPlay Ultra system on Top Gear's YouTube channel, which provides the...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
fortnite apple logo 2

Epic Resubmits Fortnite to U.S. App Store After Not Hearing From Apple for 120+ Hours

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:01 pm PDT by
On Friday, Epic Games submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and since then, we've been waiting to see if Apple would approve the game and allow it back on the iPhone and the iPad. There's been no word from Apple so far, but Epic Games opted to pull its first App Store review request, and has now resubmitted Fortnite. Fortnite leaker Shiina shared the news, with the information reposted by...

Top Rated Comments

erikkfi Avatar
34 months ago
Put the iPad front camera on the landscape rail, Apple!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
34 months ago
Still waiting for a new M2 & M2 Pro Mac mini!

I’m sounding like a broken record now. ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmbuff Avatar
34 months ago
I need a new Macbook (using a 2018 Intel that already sucked when I bought it) and I'm getting kind of worried that we're half way through October with no solid rumors.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
34 months ago
Another packed exciting month weeks. Woo hoo!

I wish Apple was holding an event. But I guess that is for another day?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freida Avatar
34 months ago
Don't worry about that. Macrumors do too as this article was repeated zillion times. :)

I'm with you though, waiting for M2 Pro Mac Mini also


Still waiting for a new M2 & M2 Pro Mac mini!

I’m sounding like a broken record now. ?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lerenard3000 Avatar
34 months ago
I worked with 2 iPad Pro today it’s the worst experience ever, even sending a copy paste via airdrop doesn’t work, the file app and multitasking is unmanageable I take hours to do a 5min computer thing. It’s an awful productivity tool.

Can’t open a picture with photo app from iCloud to modify a filter I wanted to end myself, luckily I’m French so I had a glass of wine, and a MacBook coming soon.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)