It’s not split-view, it’s tiled windows. It essentially works the same but has gaps between tiled windows (like on macOS). Also, you cannot use it in Full Windows mode. It’s only accessible in Windowed Apps or Stage Manager modes.
I have tried to do my part. Hopefully some people will watch the video and give feedback to Apple. But as you said, it’s highly unlikely.
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That’s amazing. I’ve been hearing 12, but I’m guessing that the limit is actually somehow tied to the capabilities of the device, available memory, etc.
I recognize the technical differences that you identify; however, I can’t imagine that there is a meaningful usage difference for people under this system.
In iOS 18, with Split View on, there is about a 3 or 4 mm gap between the two Split View windows, which creates a visual separation and provides for the UI element that let’s you change the width-ratio of the windows. I’m not sure how that compares in iPadOS 26, but it doesn’t look like a much wider gap from what is shown in the the 9to5 Mac video. In fact, the gap in both versions look identical to me based on what I see in the YouTube video.
In iPadOS 18, there is (1) no multitasking, (2) Split View and Slide Over, and (3) Stage Manager. In iPadOS 26 there is (1) no multitasking, (2) Windowed Multitasking, and (3) Stage Manager. So, in both OS versions there is a completely non-multitasking setting. No change there, either.
The only difference in iPadOS 26 is you can’t get Split View as a standalone multitasking option. You get full multitasking which includes this tiled implementation of Split View. But since apps automatically open to full screen, there would seem to be negligible difference in how a Split View user might interact with his or her apps under iPadOS 26 vs. iPadOS18.
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I’ve got Dev Beta 1 running on my iPad Pro M1 12.9", iPad Pro M4 11", iPhone 15 Pro and now MacBook Pro 14" M3.
All are remarkably stable given its dev beta 1. I expect bumps in the road as we move forward, things will stop working at some point with future updates, to be expected.
However having run Beta’s since they were first available, copying UUIDs was so much fun, the stability of the first release is amazingly good, especially considering the scope of changes.
Outside of battery issues and bluetooth, next thing to break in betas is typically video and audio app. At this point, everything is working (including my Tesla app and Wallet/Bank apps).
Obviously standard disclaimers apply, betas are never perfect, you will experience springboard resets and have a need to reboot from time to time. Always have a portable battery, your phone may decide to chew through battery. Take a full local encrypted back-up of your iPhone / iPad BEFORE you upgrade, because if you decide to go back to iOS18, you need to erase your phone and you can’t restore from a backup of a iOS26 device. Finally always have a plan b, another phone…because you just never know.
My iPad Pro M1 12.9" 1TB is able to run 15 apps on the same space, performance isn’t great, but it works as well as squishing 15 apps on the same screen, plus a PIP window.
When I opened a 16th app, springboard crapped out and re-loaded.
I think we can all agree that 16 is more than enough, too many for a single iPad screen, however possibly useful possibly if you are using an external large 4k monitor.
Screen shot for proof:
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I agree. I’ve been working for years with Split View and Slide over. When iPadOS 26 arrives I might keep Drafts open too 
I really can’t get my head around this. It’s wonderful. I agree that 16 apps on a single iPad screen may be way beyond the bounds of the pragmatic. But the flexibility is great, and think of what you can do on an external display now. Hello Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt™ Hub Monitor - U4025QW!
I still think it will be hard for regular iPad users to get used to this multitasking. In my opinion, Apple should have kept the Split View + Slide Over option alive and integrated the windowed apps in Stage Manager (like it already does).
Has anyone found a difference between Windowed Apps and Stage Manager multitasking, other than the fact that latter lets you switch between multiple groups of windowed apps?
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I’m looking forward to this new windowed multitasking because it seems to be available on a wider range of devices than stage manager (my A14 based iPad Air 4, iPad minis, A16 iPad - all moderately recent not ancient USB-C devices).
Thanks, they showed something similar with 2 windows on the keynote, but I suspect that things like the roundrect corners of the app in the new window management may distract me. 
we’ll see
How does work on an iPad mini? Removing slipover demotes that to a single window device
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Apparently the new system is capable of running on more iPads than old stage manager. A14 devices and newer at least. Maybe A12?
I have been playing with iPadOS 26 for a few weeks now and I have to say I’m not a fan of the direction. Sure, I get why Apple is making this move, but it feels like a compromise due to a lack of vision (and courage 
). I miss the days when the iPad was a real tablet and a focused device (yes, I know, settings, blah blah blah). More and more it feels like a Mac with restrictions (and not because I want it to be more like a Mac, I don’t). For years the iPad was my favorite device, but my conclusion is that the iPad is no longer suits me.