Apple’s latest iPadOS 18 offers a mix of surprises and useful improvements, especially in light of the new M4 iPad hardware. Let’s dive into the key features and see what’s changed.
Before exploring the features, it’s important to know if your iPad is compatible. The update is available for all iPads from 2018 onward, starting from the iPad Pro 3rd generation.
Exclusive Features for iPad
The new iPadOS brings several exclusive features, enhancing productivity and usability:
Notes App Enhancements: With Smart Script, your handwritten notes become cleaner, and Live Audio Transcription lets you transcribe speech in real time, making note-taking easier.
Calculator App: Finally, a Calculator app on the iPad! With Math Notes, handwritten equations are automatically solved, even showing graphs.
Files App Update: You can now format SSDs, a handy addition for those handling large files, though it’s still behind Mac in terms of organization.
Settings Redesign: The revamped layout looks more like macOS, with apps neatly grouped in a folder at the bottom.
Borrowed from iOS 18
Several features from iOS 18 are now available on the iPad:
Home Screen Customization: Freely rearrange icons and widgets, change app icons, and add fresh styles.
Hidden Apps: Secure apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode, hiding them from view for extra privacy.
Control Center Updates: Customizable swipe-down controls with quicker access to features, but still a few extra taps to close it completely.
Improved Photos App: The gallery now offers more viewing options, like a rectangular preview mode and easier audio syncing between videos.
What’s Missing?
Despite the updates, some areas still need work:
Files App: Handling large files and syncing with iCloud can feel slow. It would be great to set default apps for specific file types.
Multitasking: Managing multiple apps is still tricky, even with Stage Manager.
Hardware vs. Software: While the M4 chip is powerful, it doesn’t unlock significant new capabilities compared to older models, making the iPad Pro feel like an overpowered device for basic tasks.
Final Thoughts
iPadOS 18 is a step forward, with new features that improve both creativity and productivity. However, some limitations remain. Stay tuned for my upcoming 2024 iPad Buying Guide, where I’ll break down the best models for every need.
