The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2019 is taking place in San Jose, California. At this year WWDC, Apple has announced a brand new operating system for iPads called iPadOS.
iPad transforms how people work and express their creativity, and with iPadOS, we’re taking it even further by delivering exciting capabilities that take advantage of its large canvas and versatility.
Craig Federighi (Apple’s software chief)
Until now, iOS has powered both iPhones and iPads. However, in the future, iOS will only continue to power your iPhone. iPad will have its own dedicated operating system. Built on the same foundation as iOS, iPadOS introduces features specifically designed to make better use of the iPad hardware.
The Best New iPadOS Features
According to the Apple Newsroom, there will be a new Home screen, powerful multitasking, new ways to use Apple Pencil, and more.
iPadOS delivers exciting features, including a new Home screen with widgets, more powerful multitasking and new tools that make using Apple Pencil even more natural.
Craig Federighi (Apple’s software chief)
1. New Home Screen
The new Home screen has been redesigned to show more apps on each page. You’ll also be able to access widgets like headlines, weather, calendar, events, and tips more quickly. Thanks to updates to Split View and Slide Over, iPad users can quickly view and switch between multiple apps and documents.
2. More Ways to Use Apple Pencil and Files App
With iPadOS, Apple Pencil is getting better support, too. As Apple Pencil feels even more natural, using advanced prediction algorithms and optimizations, it is even more integrated into the iPad experience.
Meanwhile, the Files app is also getting special attention. With iCloud Drive support for folder sharing, support for external drives, and Quick Actions, it’s easier than ever to be productive on iPad. iPadOS also introduces local storage, zip and unzip, and new keyboard shortcuts.
3. Browsing Like a Desktop with Safari
The new iPadOS also introduces desktop-class browsing with Safari. iPadOS automatically presents the desktop version of the website, scaled appropriately, and optimizes it for touch.
Safari now supports new features such as a download manager and adds 30 new keyboard shortcuts. Text editing on iPadOS also receives a major update with even more precision and speed.
Other iPadOS Features
- Dark Mode delivers a dramatic palette that looks great in low-light environments. Dark Mode has become so trendy in the past year that even Facebook decided to implement it into the Messenger app.
- Custom Fonts can be installed for use across the system.
- A new floating keyboard saves space and includes support for QuickPath.
- Photos highlight the best images, automatically hiding clutter and similar photos. Photo editing is more intuitive with the new tools introduced.
- Sign In with Apple provides a fast and easy way to sign in to apps and websites.
- Maps features a new basemap, built from the ground up.
- Performance improvements make the entire system more responsive, which results in apps launching twice as fast.
Apple iPadOS Is Helping You Do More With Your iPad
Apple has clearly put a lot of thought into iPadOS. Nothing is out of the ordinary and not all features are available. But, these updates should help iPad owners do more with their devices.
Apple isn’t releasing iPadOS until the fall but it will be available as a free software update. However, iPadOS users can opt to join a public beta program starting next month at beta.apple.com.
Until then, you can start to get your head around the changes.