iPadOS 18: The Toyota Camry of Software Updates

"Quantity > Quality"

Photo by Andrew Wulf on Unsplash

iPadOS 18 wasn’t a disappointment. But it didn’t change the world either.

Think of it as the Toyota Camry of software updates.

Functionally, it’s amazing. A ton of useful features.

But there wasn’t anything flashy. I don’t mind, but a lot of angry people on Twitter do. And angry people on Twitter can be persuasive.

Here’s the truth about what’s coming.

Finally, a Calculator App 🧮

Did Apple need a decade to build a calculator app? No.

Is it cool? Hell yeah.

Look at this:

You can solve math equations right in your notes. All you have to do is write or type an equals sign.

You can also plot graphs. That is especially useful for students studying subjects like physics, chemistry, or calculus.

I don’t think people understand how useful this could be for students.

The Calculator app itself is alright. Not particularly exciting, but a welcome addition:

Smart Script ✏️

Despite my mom’s best efforts, my handwriting is horrible.

If you think you’ve seen bad handwriting, you haven’t seen mine.

That’s why I’m excited for Smart Script.

If I want decent notes, I spend years trying to make my handwriting look alright. That’s a big problem because my lectures are only around an hour long.

Smart Script automatically makes your notes cleaner. That way, all you gotta worry about is getting information down.

No need to waste time making your 5 look less like an S.

Live Audio Transcription 🎤

This is incredibly.

Imagine being a college student.

Go to class. Start recording. Take Notes. End Recording. Go to Dorm.

Even if you didn’t learn anything during class, you have the full transcript ready to go.

What’s that? You don’t want to go through the full recording?

Perfect. Just click the “Summarize” button and get a quick AI-powered summary.

A Fresh Home Screen 🍉

The new Home Screen customizations are a great addition.

You can:

1. Re-arrange apps and widgets (see image)

2. Create a “Dark” look with your app icons (see image)

3. Lock and hide apps (do not see image)

These are some underrated changes I’m looking forward to.

A Better Control Center 🕹️

The new Control Center looks nice.

Now, you have the ability to swipe through control groups.

You’ll be able to customize:

1. the layout of the controls

2. the size of the controls

3. and what controls are in each of the control groups

Once again, pretty neat.

Game(r) Mode 🎮

I’m not a gamer.

But if I was, I’d be happy.

Game Mode:

• minimizes background activity

• reduces audio latency with AirPods

• and improves responsiveness of wireless controllers

Another useful feature. But hey, Twitter didn’t tell us that.

Safari on Steroids 🧠

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash

Apple AI-ified Safari. And their execution is brilliant.

First, they added Highlights.

This feature automatically scans for important info on a page and highlights it as you scroll through.

Second, they improved Reader Mode. A lot.

Now, you get a table of contents that’ll let you quickly find the info you need. You can also summarize a page with a single tap.

YARDPA 📸

Note: YARDPA = yet another re-designed Photos app.

The Passwords App

Say bye-bye the password manager sponsorships plastered all over YouTube.

Now, you can manage passwords, verifications, security alerts and more. All from one app.

Once again, another small update. But once again, it’s an update that’s actually useful.

Apple Intelligence 🤖

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

This is the big one.

Apple Intelligence is different from other AI products out there.

While others (like ChatGPT) seem cool, it’s tough for the average person to use them in the real-world. Maybe you can use them to write robotic emails, but that’s mostly it (for now).

But Apple Intelligence is different. It’s not like other AIs.

It’s powering:

• Summaries (in Safari, Voice Memos, Mail, and more)

• Writing Tools (generative AI-based text tools, like proofreading, tone changes, rewriting, and more)

• Notification Priority (sorts notifications based on what’s cool)

• Mail Priority (sorts emails based on what’s cool)

• Reduce Interruptions (selectively shows you notifications if they’re important)

• Image Playground (a new app that lets you create images with AI)

• Genmoji (generate emojis with AI)

• Image Wand (turn rough sketches into real images)

• Clean Up tool (remove weird things from photos)

• Ultra-powerful Siri (AI agents ftw)

It appears secure. Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing for simple requests and Private Cloud Compute for more complex requests.

ChatGPT is integrated into Siri and Writing Tools. ChatGPT Plus subscribers can also connect their account to access paid features.

I’m hyped.

The Smaller Things

Don’t wanna waste too much of your time, so here you go:

1. Text Animations: add cool animations to your texts (not sure how useful this is for iPad users, but it’s there) 💬

2. Tapbacks: now you can add text reactions with any emoji 🚀

3. Scheduled Messaging: again, not sure how useful this is but it’s there ⏰

4. Handsfree Siri w/ AirPods: nod for yes, shake for no (sorry my fellow Indians) 🫨

5. Get Hiking Routes in Maps: my inner Boy Scout is jumping up and down 🌳

6. Re-designed Fitness App: now you can workout knowing a UI/UX designer is dedicated to improving your experience 💪

7. Bluetooth Privacy: make sure the YouTube app doesn’t hack your AirPods 🔵

8. Accessibility: control your iPad with your eyes 👀

9. Privacy and Security: control which Contacts your apps have access to 🔐

10. SharePlay: remotely control your grandma’s screen 👨‍💻

11. Highlighting: now you can highlight your text. yay 🎉

12. Freeform: apparently better layouts (but who really uses Freeform?) 📝

13. Tab Bar: something that floats at the top of your app. 🆒.

14. Document Browser: make finding things easier. if only this existed irl. 🕵️‍♂️

15. The TV App: learn about Leo DiCaprio’s latest adventures 📺

16. The Home App: add your Roomba to your smart home 🏡

17. The Calendar App: access reminders from Calendar. pretty useful tbh. 📆

Compatibility

Here are the iPads that’ll get iPadOS 18:

• iPad Pro (M4)

• iPad Pro 12.9” (3rd-gen+)

• iPad Pro 11” (1st-gen+)

• iPad Air (M2)

• iPad Air (3rd-gen+)

• iPad (:+)

• iPad mini (5th-gen+)

Final Thoughts

Quantity > quality is the defining motto of iPadOS 18. But in my eyes, that’s a good thing.

Thanks for reading!

Adi

Concepts

Concepts is an "unlimited canvas" note-taking app I've used for years (if you don't believe me, check my post history). I use it to take notes, brainstorm article ideas, and come up with startup ideas.

It's one of the few apps I highly recommend for every iPad user out there. And I genuinely believe this (again, check my post history if you wanna verify this claim).

Concepts has been kind enough to offer a free 30-day trial. And no, you don't have to enter your credit card info.