Apple Unveils iPadOS 18 With New Calculator App, Tab Bar, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple today previewed iPadOS 18, a major update to the operating system for the iPad that introduces a new Calendar app, a redesigned systemwide tab bar, and more.

iPadOS 18 brings over many of the new features and improvements introduced in iOS 18 to the iPad such as the redesigned Photos app and new Home Screen customization tools.

In iPadOS 18, a new floating tab bar morphs into the navigation sidebar. The tab bar is also customizable to keep favourites within easy reach. It is available across the system. There is also a new document browser in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

iPadOS 18 also brings the Calculator app to the iPad for the first time, with new features like history and unit conversions. Math notes allows users to solve expressions when writing with the Apple Pencil.

Math notes enable users to hand-write expressions and automatically calculate the answer, displaying it in handwriting that's like their own. Users can use basic or scientific math, and notes can be saved for later. Variables are supported, allowing you to solve algebraic equations. They can be edited to see results change in real time, and even generate a graph.

Notes has the same math capabilities from Calculator. Notes also gains new Smart Script capabilities that automatically improve your handwriting as you write.

SharePlay now allows users to tap and draw on the screen when sharing, and you can remotely control someone else's iPad or iPhone.

iPadOS 18 also includes refined animations across the UI, making them feel even more responsive. There are new APIs for developers to integrate these animations.

The first developer beta of iPadOS 18 is available starting today, with a public beta following in July, and official release to the public in the fall.

Article Link: Apple Unveils iPadOS 18 With New Calculator App, Tab Bar, and More

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

It took 14 years… but it’s pretty awesome and is able to take advantage of the Apple Pencil with the equation drawing feature.

 

[chrono1081]

Ok this is really cool (the math notes portion).

 

[scrapesleon]

Math notes work in the notes app as well

 

[Fuzzball84]

The new math capabilities are pretty damn good… not bad at all for students and others playing around with algebra for studying maths, engineering and sciences in a very easy friendly way.

 

[JamesMay82]

I’m gutted! Still the same crap files app!

 

[NayborAxi]

What a let down. At least we got a calculator app yay!

 

[pshady]

Glad I got the M4 for the new calculator app.

 

[sofargone]

what a joke, no new multitasking features or better files app, disappointed in apple! the worst ipados update to date

 

[falkon-engine]

Stage manager / window management is still the same ? Same files app experience ?

 

[nfl46]

Great update.

 

[Kylo83]

Some new iPads not worth it

 

[sofargone]

Stage manager / window management is still the same ? Same files app experience ?

this is crazy, same BS, i just got my m4 ipad, what a disappointment

 

[Queues]

But no journal app still? Why lock that behind iPhone when iPad has both Pencil and keyboard support...

 

[Supermallet]

So they debut the M4 chip with the iPad Pro and then make no improvements to features like Stage Manager? I'm not demanding MacOS on the iPad but good god Apple make it more functional for those of us who want to use the full power of the chips in these devices.

 

[brofkand]

Stage manager / window management is still the same ? Same files app experience ?

Apple typically only re-thinks window management on a 5-year cycle. One day they'll have it figured out.

 

[brofkand]

So they debut the M4 chip with the iPad Pro and then make no improvements to features like Stage Manager? I'm not demanding MacOS on the iPad but good god Apple make it more functional for those of us who want to use the full power of the chips in these devices.

It will never happen, we all might as well quit asking. I gave up worrying about iPadOS. It's dead to me.

 

[Supermallet]

It will never happen, we all might as well quit asking. I gave up worrying about iPadOS. It's dead to me.

I won't say never, because we all thought we'd never get Stage Manager and external display support, etc. Apple does bring these things to the iPad but they are so slow to do it. Infuriating.

 

[atoqir]

this is crazy, same BS, i just got my m4 ipad, what a disappointment

Golden rule: Always buy products (whatever they are) with the features they offer when you buy them, not what they might offer someday.

 

[ChristianGeek]

What a massive disappointment (same with iOS 18 and Sequoia). Apple has lost its ability to innovate.

 

[cardfan]

Funny stuff compared with what people were hoping for.

 

[onlinespending]

Stage manager / window management is still the same ? Same files app experience ?

yeah it's wild. Apple is innovating more on macOS. The math notes are cool, but otherwise a very disappointing update to iPadOS

 

[inequals]

honestly WHY put anything beyond an M1 in an iPad, really? even that is overpowered, it feels like an adult panther inside a matchbox. except of course, an adult panther could break outside of a matchbox, so this is an indestructible matchbox.

they lose me more and more every year. and the smugness! It was one thing to be smug when you had things to be smug about. Not on iPad they don't. It's actually farcical how powerful it is hardware wise, and yet their bloody minded control freakishness means they stay as ridiculously expensive toys that you don't even get to really own or control. LAME

 

[brofkand]

I won't say never, because we all thought we'd never get Stage Manager and external display support, etc. Apple does bring these things to the iPad but they are so slow to do it. Infuriating.

From what I've tried of Stage Manager, they needn't have bothered.

 

[sofargone]

Golden rule: Always buy products (whatever they are) with the features they offer when you buy them, not what they might offer someday.

i hear you, didnt buy this ipad for ios 18 but it would be nice if they offered more common sense features for a device that almost wants to be a laptop