Amidst reports of Apple working on a bigger variant of its iPad, there has emerged a key new feature that could set the iPad Pro apart from its peers - a split screen viewing mode capable of supporting two apps simultaneously.
Multi-user login could be the other new feature introduced to the iPad among a slew of other hardware and software enhancements that Apple could be banking on to infuse fresh enthusiasm in the tablet segment.
Things are also believed to be in the advanced stages given two 12 inch iPad variants codenamed 'J98' and 'J99' are already in the testing phase, sources privy to the development have revealed to 9To5Mac.
Apple is having to deal with a dip in demand for its iPad range ever since it was introduced in April 2010 against a growing shift in consumer preference towards bigger smartphones termed 'phablets'.
Analysts though have predicted it to be this June itself during the WWDC event for Apple to launch its split screen application though the multi-user login support along with the actual 12 inch sized iPad Pro devices could be launched later.
As has been mentioned in 9To5Mac, the split screen app was planned to be a part of the iOS 8 update itself though was pulled at the last moment to assign resources to other hardware projects such as the iPhone 6 duo and the iWatch. Now with both proving their mettle in the respective segments, the split-screen app is back in the focus once again and is likely to be an important addition to the iOS 9 update.
Also, while the iPad Pro with its 12 inch display will obviously be better suited to show off the split screen app, the feature would still be applicable on existing iPad versions as well. The app will allow the user to split the screen in half or in one-third/two-third views to accommodate two apps depending on the user's priorities, Fortune mentioned.
Apple is keen to position the iPad Pro to appeal to a wider user segment including the business community that has traditionally relied more on Windows based systems. Also with the split screen mode being a key USP of the Surface Pro (including some Android devices such as the Galaxy Note tablet), it was only a matter of time before Apple too had something of the sort on its iPad range as well.