iPadOS 18 Beyond Design New Features to Try

Note: As of this article’s publication, Apple has stopped pushing iPadOS 18 to M4 iPad Pro devices due to potential bricking issues.

With the conclusion of Apple’s fall product launch event, the official release ofthe new system across the board, introduced at WWDC24 three months ago, is now in its final countdown. Among them, iPadOS 18, after three months of testing and eight developer beta versions, is finally available to the public.

iPadOS 18 finally brings the official calculator to the iPad platform, features the same home screen customization as iOS 18, and includes some Apple Pencil-specific features… This article takes you through the new features of iPadOS 18, to see if any of them pique your interest.

Design and Interaction Upgrades

Last year, when writing a review article, I couldn’t help but wonder why iPadOS always lagged behind iOS in terms of design and interaction, especially in features related to the home screen and lock screen. But this year,iPadOS 18 finally holds nothing back, with new ways to customize home screen icons and widgets, and a redesigned Control Center, just like iOS 18. In addition, iPadOS has made two further optimizations for the iPad’s large screen: tab bars that appear at the top of apps, and anew file browser that appears in some Apple apps.

Free Placement of Icons on the Home Screen, and the Ability to Hide Apps

Consistent with iOS 18, iPadOS 18 allows you to freely arrange elements on the home screen, including app icons and widgets. The grid on the iPad hasn’t changed: it still uses the 4×6 design from iPadOS 17. Each app icon occupies one square (1×1), while widgets come in four sizes: small (1×1), medium (1×2), large (2×2), and extra large (4×2). However, changing the size ofwidgets is now much easier than before, simply press and hold the bottom right corner of the widget that can be resized to drag and drop. In addition, iPadOS 18 now allows you to hide apps from the home screen, which is a feature that has been highly anticipated by users for a long time. This issimilar to the App Library feature on iOS, which allows you to keep your home screen clean and tidy while still having access to all your apps.

Redesigned Control Center and New File Browser

The Control Center in iPadOS 18 has been redesigned to be more intuitive and efficient. The new designfeatures a more compact layout and a new quick actions section that allows you to quickly access frequently used settings. The new file browser is a welcome addition for users who need to manage files on their iPad. It provides a more streamlined and efficient way to browse, organize, and share files.

Apple Pencil Enhancements

iPadOS 18 brings a number of new features for Apple Pencil users, including:

Improved handwriting recognition: The handwriting recognition engine in iPadOS 18 has been improved, making it more accurate and reliable. This means that you can now use your Apple Pencil to write more naturally and confidently, knowing that yourwords will be accurately transcribed.
New handwriting-based features: iPadOS 18 introduces new features that take advantage of the improved handwriting recognition engine. For example, you can now use your Apple Pencil to sign documents, fill out forms, and even create handwritten notes that can be easily converted to text.
Enhanced drawing and sketching tools: The drawing and sketching tools in iPadOS 18 have been enhanced, making it easier to create beautiful and expressive artwork. New features include improved brush strokes, new color palettes, and a new layers feature that allows you to create complex artwork.

Other Notable Features

In addition to the features mentioned above, iPadOS 18 also includes a number of other notable features, such as:

Improved multitasking: iPadOS 18 makes it easier to multitask on your iPad. You can now use the Stage Manager feature to create multiple windows for different apps,and you can also use the Split View feature to view two apps side-by-side.
Enhanced privacy and security: iPadOS 18 includes a number of new privacy and security features, such as Lockdown Mode which provides an extra layer of protection for users who are at risk oftargeted attacks.
New accessibility features: iPadOS 18 includes a number of new accessibility features, such as Voice Control which allows you to control your iPad using your voice.

Conclusion

iPadOS 18 is a significant update that brings a number of new and improved features to theiPad. From the redesigned home screen and Control Center to the enhanced Apple Pencil features and improved multitasking capabilities, iPadOS 18 is a must-have update for any iPad user.

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