Apple’slatest iPadOS update, version 18, has arrived with a few new features, including the long-awaited Calculator app and a handwriting-focused feature called Smart Script. However, the update feels somewhat underwhelming, with most of the new featuresbeing inherited from iOS 18 or tied to Apple Intelligence, which won’t be available on iPad until iPadOS 18.1.
TheHeadline Features:
- Smart Script: This feature learns your handwriting style and helps you write more legibly, even if your penmanship is less than stellar. It can also correct spelling and simulate your handwriting for a more natural feel.
- Math Notes: This feature, already available on other Apple devices, gets a boost on iPad with the ability to write out equations and see the answer automatically. Smart Script also kicks in to write the answer in your handwriting.
*Calculator: Finally, the iPad gets a dedicated Calculator app, mirroring the iPhone version.
A Lackluster Update:
While the new features are welcome, many users were hoping for more significant updates, especially considering the recent iPad Pro refresh with the M4 chip. The lack of major new features, especially compared to iOS18, has led to some disappointment.
The Future of iPadOS:
Apple has announced that Apple Intelligence features will be coming to iPad in iPadOS 18.1, which suggests that the company may be saving its biggest iPadOS updates for future releases.
Overall:
iPadOS 18 is a solid update with some useful new features, particularly Smart Script and Math Notes. However, the lack of major new features and the reliance on features inherited from iOS 18 leaves some users wanting more. It remains to be seen if iPadOS 18.1 will deliver the significant updates that many iPad users are hopingfor.
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