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Seeing double: apple boss Tim Cook unveils the latest version of the iPad. Next month he is expected to unveil a major overhaul of its software with a split screen feature to run two apps side by side.

Apple is preparing to give the iPad a new split screen mode so users can run two apps at once, it has been claimed.

Expected to be unveiled next month at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, the move will be a major change to the way the iPad handles multiple applications.

However, the tablet will not be the first with the feature - and Microsoft even made the iPad's lack of split screen functionality the subject of a recent ad.

'iOS 8 is likely to supercharge the functionality of Apple's iPad with a new split-screen multitasking feature, according to sources with knowledge of the enhancement in development,' claimes the blog 9to5Mac.

'These people say that the feature will allow iPad users to run and interact with two iPad applications at once.'

Current users can swap between apps, but can only see one on screen at a time.

The new feature is also likely to enable users to drag information - text or pictures, for example, between apps.

The blog also claims the feature may also be key to a larger-screened iPad, which Apple is actively developing for a launch either later this year or in 2015.

Apple is also expected to unveil a major new app for the iPhone and iPad aimed at collecting health data at the conference - as well as possibly unveiling Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine as its latest employees if the much rumoured acquisition of Beats goes head.

Called Healthbook, the new app is expected to be unveiled in June at Apple's annual developer conference.

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Set to be called Healthbook the app is expected to be included in a new version of Apple's iOS software that will launch alongside its health-tracking wristband.

It offers everything from food and sleep tracking to blood sugar level analysis - and can even tell how much water you've drunk.

The app is set to work with Apple's iWatch, which is believed to be set to be announced later in the year - although it could be unveiled at the same event next year.

Martin Hajek also believes Apple will release a lower cost plastic version of the watch, which will come in several different colours

Earlier this year, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said the iWatch could generate $17.5 billion in sales in the first 12 months — more than the iPhone or iPad did in their first year.

That was assuming Apple priced the watch around $299 and had a similar customer base to the iPad.