iPadOS 18 includes many long-requested features, including greater Home Screen personalization options and a Calculator app, at long last. But it’s the many new AI-related enhancements that really stand out.
“Our most versatile device is becoming even more powerful and intelligent than ever with iPadOS 18,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering. “With fun new ways to personalize the Home Screen, a redesigned Photos experience, major updates to the Notes app, the addition of Calculator with Math Notes, and the groundbreaking introduction of Apple Intelligence, iPadOS 18 brings incredible new features designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, making it even easier for users to get tasks done.”
iPadOS 18 is a moderately big update
Some new iPadOS versions bring monumental changes. There’s no better example than the addition of Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, which changed the way people used the tablet.
The changes coming in 2024 aren’t to that level. But neither are they minor tweaks.
Long-requested changes
Instead of limiting how users could arrange the Home Screen, iPadOS 18 allows much more freedom. They can leave gaps in the array of application icons, either to make them flow around a wallpaper or group them by category. And icons can be tinted to match a background color. If that’s not enough, users can make all the app icons and widgets appear even larger and without the name underneath for a more streamlined look.
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Image: Apple
Control Center gets more flexible too, with a new Controls gallery that allow users to add or remove toggles. Plus there are multiple new groups of controls for media playback, smart home settings, and more.
And in a long overdue move, Apple added a Calculator application to the iPad operating system. The change — which is somehow both minor and monumental — answers a decade of requests from tablet users. And it’s not just an expanded version of the iPhone app. Apple built in a Math Notes calculator that allows users to write equations with a stylus and have the iPad solve them.
Embracing Apple Pencil
An Apple Pencil isn’t required to use an iPad, but iPadOS 18 will make buying one more temping. And that goes beyond Math Notes.
Apple’s Notes app gets Smart Script that allows users to handwrite text and then have it smoothed and straightened in real time. And editing handwritten text is easier: users can add a space, scratch out a sentence, or even paste typed text in their own handwriting, and the paragraph will automatically reflow to fit the new content.
A new Tab Bar for iPadOS 18
Screenshot: Apple
Many application have a sidebar — in iPadOS 18, when this closes it can move to become a floating Tab Bar at the top of the screen. The goal is to, “help users stay focused on what matters most while keeping favorite tabs within reach,” according to Apple.
So far, the only demo we’ve seen of the Tab Bar came during the WWDC24 keynote on Monday in the Apple TV application. But third-party software developers will have the option to use it as well.
iPadOS 18 and Apple Intelligence
When Apple took the wraps off the next iPad operating system at WWDC24, it was artificial intelligence that was the real focus. Many of the default iPadOS applications are getting AI infusions.
The new AI-enhanced version of Apple Mail can summarize emails, assign them to categories based on their contents, and draft replies to messages so the user doesn’t have to.
Those who employ their iPad as their primary computer will appreciate the new system-wide Writing Tools. These help users rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in a range of applications, including Mail, Notes and Pages, as well as third-party apps.
The Safari web browser uses AI to find key information on webpages, as well as create a summary of it. Plus a redesigned Reader view displays a streamlined version of online news articles.
And Siri greatly enhanced with Apple Intelligence is available to iPad users just as it is on iPhone and Mac.
Image: Apple
iPadOS 18 in beta now but launching this fall
While Apple used part of Monday’s keynote address of WWDC24 to unveil iPadOS 18, the full launch is still months away. It will reach customers in this autumn.
Those who just can’t wait can sign up for the Apple Beta Software program. It’s free, but also guarantees buggy software.
