iPadOS: Now even iPad has its own customized OS

During WWDC 2019, many improvements were presented for Apple’s operating systems. But one, made its debut: it is iPadOS which, as can be guessed from the name, was designed specifically for the Apple tablet.

Speaking was Craig Federighi, head of software development at Apple. The senior manager explained the news regarding iPadOS which will now adapt better to the features and specific needs of iPad users who may have different needs than those using iPhone.

iPadOS: Designed for iPad and multitasking

In iPadOS more emphasis has been given to multitasking and the possibility of exploiting the large display. Starting from the Home, this has been redesigned to show more apps on the same screen, and it is possible to better manage widgets keeping an eye on rapid information such as weather, stock exchange, calendar, etc..

Still talking about multitasking, iPadOS allows the user to work on two or more files within the same application. This allows you to have a more organic and better structured work for those dealing with different documents to be edited. Obviously it is then possible to use the Expose App to switch from one app to the other or get an overview.

Apple Pencil is even faster in response times from 20 ms to 9 ms, guaranteeing a user experience closer to that of real pencils on paper. Thanks to iPadOS it is possible to send web pages, documents, emails by scrolling with Pencil from the corner of the screen.

Even the tool palette has been revised: this allows you to have access to both old versions and new useful tools for creatives (and there is no lack of a more precise rubber and a ruler).

iPadOS now supports flash drives and improves integration with the cloud

But iPadOS also gives new ways to manage files and documents on the iPad and beyond. Thanks to the new version of the File app there is better support for iCloud Drive for folder sharing. There is also support for USB drives (such as keys), SD cards or SMB servers.

File also has a high resolution preview mode with column display. It will also be possible to create PDFs, rotate pages and mark notes more quickly. iPadOS then adds support for new keyboard shortcuts.

iPadOS has a new Safari browser of desktop class that allows you to overcome the limitations of the browser designed for iOS and for smaller screens of smartphones. This means that the desktop version of the site will be displayed but there will be an optimization for the touch. There’re also a new download manager, keyboard shortcuts and better tab management.

Text editing is even faster on iPadOS. Thanks to the new gestures it will be possible to cut a part, ” take it ” with a new three-finger gesture and move it to another part of the document. Improved text selection but also the possibility of reducing the size of the keyboard to make it usable with one hand (as on a smartphone) also taking advantage of QuickPath.

On the iPadOS could not miss the ” dark mode ” that allows you to reduce eye strain in dark environments. There is also support for custom characters that can be used within all the apps. The new Photos app allows you to highlight the best images of a series of similar photographs as well as show the ” memories ” of past events.

Do not miss the support for authentication via Apple ID, which should ensure a better degree of data protection and privacy. Maps are also updated, which introduces solutions similar to Google’s counterpart with StreetView.

They also improve overall system performance thanks to iPadOS. As for iOS 13, for example: Face ID is faster to recognize the user by giving faster access to iPad, reduced the size of the app by 50% while updates are reduced by 60%.

iPadOS will arrive this fall in final version. Now the public preview campaign has begun through beta that will gradually define how the operating system will actually be. Support is provided for iPad Air 2 (or later), all iPad Pro, fifth generation and later iPads and iPad mini 4 and later.