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Five Useful Features We'd Like to See Added to iPadOS

It's so close. But we've had to wait SO DAMN LONG!!!!!

Dammit Apple, quit screwing around and give this device REAL computer capabilities!

Multi-screen output being number one. I can even let go of multi-user capabilities (even though they OFFER IT IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR)!

I get it though. They really don't want to give up my Mac money yet. :mad:
 
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Can’t believe no one has mentioned this but how about launching ANY app from the dock? I can’t stand that I need to leave an app and switch context when I just want to add another app in split screen mode. Imagine a 9-dot icon on the left of the dock which brings up the spotlight search (probably in a new window on top of the running app or semi-transparent) and then you just drag-n-drop any app from there to split screen or slide over. This is #1 thing for me making “your next computer is not a computer” so untrue. Damn, is it THAT hard to implement?
 
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Reactions: amartinez1660, lilatheestallion, Mr Todhunter and 6 others
Some of these are NOT features for pretty obvious reasons:

Widgets

On iPhones the grid spacing is predictable and consistent and only has one orientation. On iPads it's a whole different story with 2 grid densities, and rearranging apps as you switch between landscape and portrait. The iPhone widgets would be irrelevant (or at best really ugly) in that system. Keeping them in a uniform area to the side preserves their layout and design between iOS and iPadOS.

Extended Displays

Almost all iOS apps are designed for single display mode, but the ones like TV and Keynote already do essentially what you proposed. The idea of an 'extended desktop' isn't relevant to iOS without a major rethink and redesign, which is surely not warranted for the small niche that would go that route.

And of course the iOS screen stays on as touch is your primary way of interacting with apps. How would you control elements on an extended desktop? Or interact with the mirrored display on the non-touch screen. Sure you can optionally use a trackpad in a small handful of apps but asking for a complete overhaul of how one primarily interacts with the OS just for screen mirroring largely misses the point, I think.
 
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Reactions: Tagbert, Sandstorm, johaen8 and 3 others
The lack of App Library is a plus for iPadOS to me. Still have found no use for it on iPhone that I couldn’t do before other than hiding pages.
 
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How about proper external display support. Not just AirPlay, but Microsoft Wireless Display adapter support. Used in so many conference rooms, meetings rooms etc. in corporates. Would make iPad more useful in meetings instead of having to cart around a laptop! If the iPad (and Pro) are the future of computing, in the same way that Microsoft is putting a lot of effort into Apple platform support, maybe a bit of focus the other way too?!
 
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1. Widgets - whatever
2. App library - no
3. Translate app - whatever
4. Real external monitor support - I wouldn’t use it, but yes, it’s important for a lot of people
5. Multiple users - yes, this should is way overdo

The thing iPadOS most needs IMO is totally redesigned multitasking (floating/resizable windows, intuitive gestures, unlimited instances of the same app, better compatibility with external keyboard/trackpad). I’d also like to see the ability to encrypt at the file/folder level, but I’m not holding my breath for that.
 
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With the myriad of apps that don’t have an iPad app, it drives me nuts when I use one on my 12” iPad Pro in landscape mode (ie with the keyboard) and it displays the tiny app rotated 90 degrees. What about showing it to us letterboxed in its native portrait form but rotated so I don’t have to disconnect my iPad from the keyboard and rotate it, or contort my neck?
 
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Reactions: Tagbert, lilatheestallion, subjonas and 4 others
Meh, iOS can keep the App Library, unless Apple also provides a toggle to disable it. It's an ugly crutch for the unorganized and the forgetful.

I'd be happy if they fixed the timer bug where a running timer don't show up on the lock screen anymore, and the timer icon doesn't show as active in the control center (if this was fixed in the 14.0.1 update, then disregard)
 
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HiVolt said:
iPad will never become a competent computer replacement, unless MacOS & iPadOS merge. which will probably happen with the ARM architecture, in 2-3 years.
Click to expand...
1602106498260.jpeg

1602106583044.jpeg

:D
 
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Reactions: Sandstorm, Vanilla35, Oblivious.Robot and 3 others
edwrap said:
Meh, iOS can keep the App Library, unless Apple also provides a toggle to disable it. It's an ugly crutch for the unorganized and the forgetful.
Click to expand...
I used to think that. But then I recnetly tried it out on the iPhone and was surprised at how many of my neatly organized apps never get used and actually do belong in a “junk bin”.

Now my phone is one home screen with 6 apps and 2 stacked widgets. I can access all my regularly used apps easily and the rest are all hidden away. I didnt think this was a good feature but now I look at my overly organized iPad and it looks like a mess.
 
As far as heavy work, I can’t even begin to use the iPad until it has easy versioned backups with easy versioned restores, not to mention the right applications.
As a supplemental device, no major complaints with the OS that I can think of.
 
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Better file system to support on-device app development and testing.

My iPad Pro with keyboard is already as big and heavy as my MacBook Pro. Might as well match its capabilities. Certainly has the processor, storage, and display power. Might need more RAM capacity.
 
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KittyKatta said:
I used to think that. But then I recnetly tried it out on the iPhone and was surprised at how many of my neatly organized apps never get used and actually do belong in a “junk bin”.

Now my phone is one home screen with 6 apps and 2 stacked widgets. I can access all my regularly used apps easily and the rest are all hidden away. I didnt think this was a good feature but now I look at my overly organized iPad and it looks like a mess.
Click to expand...
I get that perspective. Mine is that the App Library is an unholy mess of a ”feature” that should have an on/off toggle on both iOS and iPadOS. But as long as they refuse to allow it to be disabled, I’m very glad it’s not on the iPad.
 
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Reactions: Mr Todhunter and decypher44
I’d love to see extended screen with the ability to touch the screen and interact with the screen while it is being used as a second display for the Mac. I know this would require macOS support to touch screen, but this would be really useful for the way I use it.
 
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HiVolt said:
iPad will never become a competent computer replacement, unless MacOS & iPadOS merge. which will probably happen with the ARM architecture, in 2-3 years.
Click to expand...
That idea makes me extremely nervous. I think you're right that that's where Apple want to go. But also can't imagine Apple wanting to lower the garden walls.
 
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