iPadOS 15: the best of iOS 14 on the Apple tablet

After mentioning iOS 15, Apple gave details on another OS during its developer conference (WWDC), the iPadOS 15. In summary, we can say that the latest iteration of the operating system on the tablet takes a large part improvements brought by iOS 14 on iPhone. It also adds some features for experienced users. Here are the main features of iPadOS 15.

Widgets

The revamped iOS 14 home screen with its widgets is finally available on iPad. Widgets, which come in the form of small boxes scattered among the icons on the screen that can quickly deliver information about weather, photos and actions, etc., work much like on the iPhone. On iPad, however, Widgets are a bit more capable than on iPhone, as they are larger and can hold a lot more information and interactions for things like games, media, photos, and files.

Widgets finally appear on the iPad. (Photo credit: Apple)

App Library

App Library is another feature of iOS 14 still missing from the previous version iPadOS 14. This is now included in iPadOS 15. Users can remove and rearrange app pages as they can on iPhone. They can also view an overview of all apps by swiping the screen all the way to the right. To facilitate access to App Library, Apple has also created a shortcut in the dock, which allows access to apps from any screen or application.

App Library provides an overview of apps. (Photo credit: Apple)

Multitasking

Ever since it first appeared in iOS 12, multitasking on the iPad has been somewhat confusing. Fortunately, iPadOS 15 simplifies things considerably. For starters, the multitasking menu has been revamped and makes it easier for iPad users to experience multitasking and use Split View or Slideover. iPadOS 15 provides access to the different modes with a simple tap, and replaces the previous complicated and slightly opaque gesture system. If you want to use two apps at the same time, Apple has also made it easier to insert apps into multitasking views. Now, by selecting the split view Split View, the current application reveals the rest of the applications of the iPad, it is then enough to quickly select the application in which one wishes to go. Apple has also added keyboard shortcuts that make it easier to access the menu quickly. A kind of mini-dock called Shelf floating above the current application also allows you to quickly switch from one open window to another and from one application to another. Finally, one can drag application windows on top of each other in the preview screen to quickly open them in split view in Split View.

Multitasking has been revised and optimized. (Photo credit: Apple)

Notes

Apple has completely redesigned Notes on the iPad, taking advantage of the big screen to favor collaboration and organization. To make filtering easier, the Notes app will now support tags, and users of shared documents will automatically receive a notification when they’re mentioned in a document. But the quick note Quick Note, accessible from anywhere, is perhaps the best feature of the Notes app on iPadOS 15. Users will just need to swipe from the lower right corner of the screen with an Apple Pencil or with their finger to quickly bring up a floating note on which they can write, then to make it disappear with a simple swipe. Since it is a contextual tool, the note is linked to the application in use and can be viewed and modified on all devices.

The Notes application has been completely redesigned. (Photo credit: Apple)

Swift Playgrounds

Ever since the launch of the iPad Pro, developers have been clamoring to be able to use the Xcode programming environment on the iPad, and iPadOS 15 kind of fulfills their wish. Although Apple does not bring an Xcode version to iPad, Swift Playground offers developers to create applications in Swift UI on the tablet. Apple says the code will be mirrored in real time and the user will be able to draw from a comprehensive library of UI components. The developer will also be able to submit applications to the App Store directly from their iPad.

Universal Control

Granted, technically Universal Control is a Mac feature, but it’s too amazing not to mention. With this function, it is possible to work on several devices with the same input device. Thus, thanks to Universal Control, it will be possible to work with a single mouse and a single keyboard and move its cursor and content seamlessly between a Mac and an iPad, without any configuration.

Availability and compatibility

The free software update to iPadOS 15 will be available in the fall for iPad mini 4 and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th Gen and later, and all iPad Pro models.