iOS Today 788: iPad Multitasking
Release Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Rosemary Orchard & Stephen Robles
Episode Theme: Exploring iPad Multitasking and Shortcuts Magic
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the current state of multitasking on iPadOS, focusing especially on the new capabilities with larger iPad screens, Stage Manager, and practical workflows for podcasters and power users. Special guest and iPad daily driver Stephen Robles shares his extensive experience, while host Rosemary Orchard brings her hallmark automation expertise, particularly regarding Shortcuts. The conversation weaves in app ergonomics, device setups, real-world hurdles, and clever automation tricks, with plenty of lively examples and personal stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. How Pros (Really) Multitask on iPad
- [01:09] iPad as a Podcast Editing Machine
- Stephen edits all his daily and weekly shows on iPad, leveraging the Apple Pencil and the transition from an 11" to a 13" screen.
- Stage Manager and windowing in iPadOS 26 have become essential after initial skepticism.
Quote:
"I will mirror my iPad into Vision Pro so I can make the screen even larger and then multitask on the iPad and Vision Pro while I can have some video or movie playing in the background. So yeah, I'm kind of all in now. I do it all." — Stephen Robles [01:09]
- Rosemary explains her workaround for not having a Vision Pro: she pairs an 11" iPad Pro with an iPad mini for side-by-side tasks.
"The fact that I couldn't have stage manager on my iPad mini was breaking my brain... Now I have stage manager on the iPad mini, and it's a little bit monkey's paw in that I got exactly what I asked for." — Rosemary Orchard [02:02]
2. Organizing Apps for Real Work (and Quick Switching)
- [03:11] Stephen likens Stage Manager 'stages' to Mac 'spaces,' curating app groups for specific contexts (e.g. all social media clients in one stage, all Shortcuts work in another).
- Uses the magic keyboard and trackpad extensively for navigation.
- Highlights quirks: e.g. Safari not always opening new windows where you expect, requiring drag-and-drop from the dock.
- Notes the productivity gain with a larger iPad, being able to keep 3-4 windows visible for fast switching.
3. Windowing & App Controls Improvements
- [05:44] Rosemary catalogs UI enhancements in multitasking:
- Familiar Mac-style close, minimize, maximize buttons now in iPadOS window corners (instead of the previous "three dot" menu).
- These changes make window management more intuitive—at least for those not intimidated by new UI, like less tech-savvy users or parents.
"If you're like my mother... She did not know what was going on and she immediately asked me to please can you turn this weird thing back off..." — Rosemary Orchard [05:44]
4. When Stage Manager Doesn’t Fit
- [07:05] Stephen toggles Stage Manager via Control Center, especially for full-screen apps like Ferrite (his podcast editor), as Stage Manager sometimes breaks window sizes or drag-and-drop with Universal Control.
- Welcomes return of classic Split View and Slide Over modes in iPadOS 26.2 for flexible multitasking without Stage Manager.
5. Automating Workflows with Shortcuts
- [08:51]
- Shortcuts Automations Specific to Stage Manager and Display Connections
- Rosemary prompts Stephen: are you using new Stage Manager or external display trigger automations?
- Stephen admits he doesn't use external displays but immediately realizes he can automate Stage Manager toggling for his editing workflow.
- Rosemary walks through how to build this automation, clarifying device-specific Shortcuts actions.
"You can set stage manager as an action on an iPad...not there on iPhone because iPhones don't support stage manager." — Rosemary Orchard [10:38] - Stephen instantly applies the advice:
"When I open ferrite, stage manager will turn off...I should have done that months ago. But thank you Rosemary. That'll help me out." — Stephen Robles [11:23]
6. Clever Battery & Notification Automations
- [12:57]
- Stephen shares automations for receiving notifications via Pushcut when battery levels on his iPad or Mac drop below 20% or rise above 80%, for smarter charging habits.
- Rosemary challenges Stephen (and the audience) to build an automation that works on any device by dynamically pulling device details, with demo and hints for Pushcut URL setup.
7. Monitoring Web Changes with Pushcut & Change Detector
- [17:28] Stephen raves about new workflow: combining ChangeDetector.io and Pushcut to receive instant notifications when a product goes in or out of stock—a lifesaver for product drops.
- He shares a personal example: trying to nab the elusive Unifi Travel Router and the rationale for travel Wi-Fi routers, even with cellular devices ([18:30]–[22:08]).
8. Listener Feedback: Subscriptions & Creator Studio
- [23:48] Doug from Minneapolis asks about the new Apple Creator Studio subscription, as an alternative to pricey pro app purchases.
- Stephen sees the subscription as a great middle ground for students, families, or folks who want Mac+iPad pro apps without full upfront cost.
"Creator Studio today is kind of like that equivalent... It was like what Final Cut Express was for me in college..." — Stephen Robles [25:48] - For Stephen personally, he’ll stick with his one-time license Mac apps for now, but lauds the family and student pricing.
- Stephen sees the subscription as a great middle ground for students, families, or folks who want Mac+iPad pro apps without full upfront cost.
9. Shortcuts Corner: Opening Reminders Lists in New Windows
- [27:41] Listener Mike wants to automate opening Reminders lists in their own window.
- Rosemary shares why this is tricky: Reminders doesn’t play nice with multi-window scripting except through janky mouse automation (e.g., using Keyboard Maestro to drag app icons).
- She invites advanced listeners to share better solutions, and recommends Keyboard Maestro for other Mac automations.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
"I multitask. I've even gone so far now as when I'm building shortcuts, I will mirror my iPad into Vision Pro...So yeah, I'm kind of all in now."
– Stephen Robles [01:09] -
"It's a little bit monkey's paw in that I got exactly what I asked for. And maybe I didn't ask for the right thing..."
– Rosemary Orchard, about Stage Manager on the iPad mini [02:02] -
"Because I want to look up something about an API, I would love to just be able to kind of click Safari in the dock and it just open a window in that space. But that behavior with Stage Manager is still a little wonky..."
– Stephen Robles [03:51] -
"[Stage Manager]...gets really wonky. Like it'll reshape Ferrite into a thin window. It won't let me drag and drop..."
– Stephen Robles [07:05] -
*"You can set Stage Manager as an action on an iPad... the action is called Stage Manager... It's not there on iPhone because iPhones don't support Stage Manager."
– Rosemary Orchard [10:38] -
"When I open ferrite, stage manager will turn off. And so yeah, I should have done that months ago. But thank you, Rosemary."
– Stephen Robles [11:23] -
"I think Creator Studio today is kind of like that equivalent. It was like what Final Cut Express was for me in college, who I couldn't afford Final Cut Studio, but I wanted more tools."
– Stephen Robles [25:48]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–01:09: Introduction to Stephen's iPad-centered workflows
- 03:11–05:44: Organizing “stages” and app windows; keyboard and mouse productivity tips
- 05:44–07:05: New window controls, usability issues for casual users
- 07:05–08:51: Stage Manager vs. classic Split View / Slide Over; real-world quirks
- 08:51–11:34: Automating Stage Manager; device-specific Shortcuts advice
- 12:57–17:28: Battery notifications & Pushcut, complex automation setups
- 17:28–22:08: Change Detector & Pushcut + travel Wi-Fi gear for pros on the go
- 23:48–27:40: Listener feedback—Creator Studio subscription pros/cons
- 27:41–32:39: Shortcuts Q&A: Opening Reminders lists in new windows (limitations & hacks)
Resources & Further Reading
- Stephen Robles’s Work: Beard.fm (links to YouTube, Shortcuts community, podcast)
- Rosemary Orchard: rosemaryorchard.com (apps, books, podcasts, socials)
- Shortcuts Show Notes & Demos: Linked in episode notes, with disclaimer not to reuse demo Pushcut URLs!
Final Thoughts
This episode is a goldmine for anyone pushing iPad multitasking to its productive limits, seeking honest assessment of Stage Manager, or craving practical automation examples. The recurring theme: power users thrive by customizing workflows and layering automation—even if the OS tools and behaviors sometimes require inventive be workarounds.
Hosts’ Contact Info:
Goodbye from the iOS Today team!