As part of the WWDC event, Apple unveiled the features that’s coming to its latest tablet operating system, the iPadOS 18. And while the company does not explicitly mention AI in this segment, a fair number of these features actually look like it involves it to some extent.
Starting with the more mundane features of the iPadOS 18 – at least those that are not shared with iOS 18 – one of the new features include a floating tab that can morph into a side bar. The latter is not exactly new, but the former is, for what it’s worth. There’s also a feature that makes it easier to browse your documents as well, though if you’ve titled them well, this seems a tad redundant.
But oddly enough, the most interesting reveal about iPadOS 18 is the Calculator app. Yes, it sounds a bit like a joke, and if that was all there was, it would probably be treated as such. But where things get interesting is really the way it integrates with the Notes app. With the update, you can write equations on a note, and the app gets you the answer after you put in the equal sign.
It also works with more complex tasks as well. Put in your equation, change variables and see the answer change in response in a second or two. You can also get this feature of iPadOS 18 to plot a graph for the equation, and by changing the variables you can see the graph change in real time too.
Finally, iPadOS 18 will add Smart Script, which will use on-device machine learning to copy your writing style, and also make your writing more legible if needed. You can also paste copied text into your written notes, and the pasted text will mimic your handwriting.
As part of the stream, Apple says that iPadOS 18, alongside iOS 18 and the new macOS, will be available in fall, or between late September and late December of this year. No specific dates yet, but chances are it will be around the time this year’s iPhones become available.
