So iPadOS 26 is basically Android's "DeX Mode" with less features...

[NeonNights]

I did not think that the Tab S10’s had such small storage. That doesn’t sound right. Doesn’t Android plus Samsung One UI use more than 16GB of storage?

Perhaps you're right and I'm mistaken on the storage capacity. It was a few years ago, but I recall the storage standing out as being quite low...maybe 32GB at the time??

Edit: Turns out it is 16GB. My wife took the course in 2020, but apparently the firm distributed Galaxy A 10.1 tablets (model SM-T580) that were initially released in 2016. Attendees only used the tablets for lecture slides and videos that took up 14 of the available 16GB of storage.

 

[SoYoung]

Can we use the ipad on external monitor on clamshell mode? (screen of the ipad itself is off) if not, boring update.

 

[kingspointer]

Unless I missed something, it doesn't seem like much has been added here that is "innovative". DeX mode allows the same functionality on android, and has for YEARS.

These are welcomed features for sure, but it's long overdue and underwhelming.

no idea what that is lol lol lolz.

 

[kingspointer]

Can we use the ipad on external monitor on clamshell mode? (screen of the ipad itself is off) if not, boring update.

why would you want to use it like that? I can't imagine a use scenario that works for

 

[xxFoxtail]

Can we use the ipad on external monitor on clamshell mode? (screen of the ipad itself is off) if not, boring update.

No, unfortunately.

 

[steverae]

Well, using ipadOS 26 now and have to admit - the multi tasking and windows are brilliant. Really brings a macOS feel finally to the iPad.

Lets see how it gets polished over the coming months

 

[TgeekB]

Who cares? We are discussing the Apple ecosystem. If you want to discuss Android go to Android Rumors or whatever.

Exactly!

 

[TgeekB]

Well, using ipadOS 26 now and have to admit - the multi tasking and windows are brilliant. Really brings a macOS feel finally to the iPad.

Lets see how it gets polished over the coming months

Playing around with it also. Liking what I see so far. The haters can go play with a different OS.

 

[thefrost]

Well it's certainly an improvement. At least the cursor isn't a huge blob. You get a proper one.

 

[SoYoung]

why would you want to use it like that? I can't imagine a use scenario that works for

To get a real desktop replacement? The way they force me to use 2 screens when connected to an external monitor defeat the purpose of it.

 

[walterpaisley]

I’m going to regret wading in on this, but: you can’t compare Dex for two massive, obvious reasons: Dex was designed to take a small screen and make it big. iPad OS is a dedicated OS designed and optimized for a tablet-sized display _that it ships with_.

You can’t compare the two at all. The only thing they have in common is they run on a mobile device and they use larger screens.

 

[aevan]

Unless I missed something, it doesn't seem like much has been added here that is "innovative". DeX mode allows the same functionality on android, and has for YEARS.

These are welcomed features for sure, but it's long overdue and underwhelming.

They are good features that you can use on your iPad. I don’t want to use DeX and don’t care what features it has or doesn’t have. Also, I have some doubts that “the same functionality” you mention is what I would consider “same”. Every time someone says “you have that on Windows/Android”, it never turns out to be the way I like it and want it.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Unless I missed something, it doesn't seem like much has been added here that is "innovative". DeX mode allows the same functionality on android, and has for YEARS.

These are welcomed features for sure, but it's long overdue and underwhelming.

I agree and I own an M2 iPad Air and Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and both tablets have an attached keyboard and trackpad. I have used both and to me the DEX experience is far better. Dex basically turns the S10 Plus into a Chromebook. You can resize and move windows, you can multitask with ease.

Maybe with iPadOS 26 the iPad will shine but currently M2 iPad Air just feels and operates like an iPad with a keyboard attached. I also find Dex to be very intuitive. Again, this is just my personal observation and others may feel differently.

 

[SoYoung]

I agree and I own an M2 iPad Air and Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and both tablets have an attached keyboard and trackpad. I have used both and to me the DEX experience is far better. Dex basically turns the S10 Plus into a Chromebook. You can resize and move windows, you can multitask with ease.

Maybe with iPadOS 26 the iPad will shine but currently M2 iPad Air just feels and operates like an iPad with a keyboard attached. I also find Dex to be very intuitive. Again, this is just my personal observation and others may feel differently.

Apple clearly don't want their iPad and iPhones to be real laptop replacements and we have to accept it. The lack of a true external monitor support on iOS and being able to use iPad on external monitor with the iPad closed is good exemple of this.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Apple clearly don't want their iPad and iPhones to be real laptop replacements and we have to accept it. The lack of a true external monitor support on iOS and being able to use iPad on external monitor with the iPad closed is good exemple of this.

And that's quite possible but for me the whole iPad plus keyboard is just meh. However Samsung sells tons of their Galaxy phones and integrates them quite nicely and allows both platforms to shine on their own. The problem I see is that Apple relies on the iPhone. It is their bread and butter whereas Samsung is a Global leader in technology and are very diversified including making electronic components and appliances.

 

[SoYoung]

And that's quite possible but for me the whole iPad plus keyboard is just meh. However Samsung sells tons of their Galaxy phones and integrates them quite nicely and allows both platforms to shine on their own. The problem I see is that Apple relies on the iPhone. It is their bread and butter whereas Samsung is a Global leader in technology and are very diversified including making electronic components and appliances.

Honnestly, if Apple don't allow a true Dex-like experience on both iPhone and iPad withing 2-3 years until my next upgrade, I'll strongly consider switching to a samsung phone. For me, this is in my top-list feature I want and will use a lot. I currently use a Steam deck as a desktop computer when plugged to an external monitor, but having my phone or iPad to do that would be so much better.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

people are overstating this. ic an’t think of many things i’d rather do on my samsung dex than ipad.

 

[baconcat_8964]

Who cares? We are discussing the Apple ecosystem. If you want to discuss Android go to Android Rumors or whatever.

You nailed it! 😂 May I took your wisdom word as my signature?

 

[Ctrlos]

Now we just need to wait for DeX mode to wait a decade to get app parity with the iPad.

 

[AyuAmagi]

I plan to get a iPad again soon and im wondering if you can full screen all apps on external monitor with the new windowing system?

 

[DaniTheFox]

I plan to get a iPad again soon and im wondering if you can full screen all apps on external monitor with the new windowing system?

I exclusively work with an iPad Pro 12.9-inch device and a 34-inch external screen (that’s why I haven’t installed the beta).
Under iPadOS 18 with Stage Manager, only one application (TrainDesign) fails to function in full-screen mode on both the internal screen and the external screen.

I anticipate experiencing the same with the new Windows system.

 

[Ludatyk]

I have used DeX for years and it feels like it has been mostly abandoned..
They only have done minor changes to it over the years and in fact they have removed more features then they have added.

What features have they removed from DeX?

I plan to get a iPad again soon and im wondering if you can full screen all apps on external monitor with the new windowing system?

As @DaniTheFox mention... not all apps are capable of running full screen, but some do. Folks tend to look at Apple as to why apps are not in full screen, but the truth is... it's dependent on the developer. But if there's any apps you care for me to test out... I'd give it a try.

 

[SoYoung]

Games aren’t full screen on external monitor witch is just stupid and it’s another reason I can’t take the iPad seriously as a computer replacement.

 

[User #07242024]

Apple slowly improving. Here’s waiting for DeX like experience on iPhone.

 

[mlayer]

From a product segmentation standpoint, it would have been smarter if they hadn’t added external monitor support or non-touch (mouse) support. There isn’t any good argument anymore why these should be two different product categories, other than macOS not supporting touch (both functionally and from a UI design perspective).

Power consumption is the main argument. Macs can fully preemptively multitask and have the power infrastructure to support it. I doubt any iOS device will be able to do that at any point because Apple is so concerned about battery life and heat. I suppose they could gimp Mac OS enough to get it to a decent enough compromise. At that point it would be Mac RT.