last month, Apple’s tablets have received a major update with his arrival M4 chiptwo size options for iPad Airupdates Magic keyboard and new iPad Pro is equipped with a luxurious Tandem OLED display. And now at WWDC 2024, Apple is trying to improve the iPad’s software with the introduction of Apple Intelligence and a number of new features. Going to iPadOS 18will be released later this year.
For starters, iPadOS gets deeper customization options for your home screen, including the ability to place app icons almost anywhere you want. Apple’s Control Center also lets you create multiple lists and views, resize and rearrange icons, and more. expanded with support. There’s also a new floating tab bar that makes it easier to navigate between apps, which can be configured to remember your favorites. SharePlay then has the ability (with permission) to remotely control someone else’s device for those times when they need to draw diagrams or help with troubleshooting on their iPad.
After years of requests, the iPad is also getting its own version of the Calculator app, which includes a new Math Notes feature with Apple Pencil support and the ability to enter handwritten formulas. Math Notes will even update formulas in real-time, or you can save them if you want to revisit them later. Alternatively, the Smart Script tool in the Notes app uses machine learning to make your notes less cluttered and easier to edit.
Overall privacy is also improved with a new feature that lets you lock the app. This allows you to borrow your device without giving a friend or family member full access to everything on your tablet. Alternatively, there’s also a new hidden apps folder where you can keep sensitive software more private.
Tapbacks in Messages are now compatible with all your emojis. Additionally, you’ll be able to schedule messages or send texts via satellite if you’re not currently connected to Wi-Fi or cellular. Apple even says that messages sent using satellite will have end-to-end encryption.
The Mail and Photos apps are getting equally big updates. Mail will have new categories to make it easier to find specific types of offers or information (such as flights). Meanwhile, the Photos app will have an updated UI that will help you view certain types of photos while hiding things like screenshots. There will be new categories like Recents and People & Pets to put all similar images in one collection to better uncover old photos and memories.
Voice controls on iPads are also improved with the new ability for Siri to understand “Yes” and “No” gestures by nodding or moving your head while wearing AirPods. This should make it easier to give simple answers to Apple’s digital assistant in places like a crowded bus or a quiet waiting room, where you might be uncomfortable talking loudly.
However, the biggest addition this year is that along with all the iPad-specific features, Apple’s tablet operating system is also getting Apple Intelligence. This includes many of the company’s new AI-powered features, such as the ability to generate summaries of websites, check or rewrite emails, and even create new art based on your instructions.
Apple says that features will become more personalized and contextual to make its AI more useful. However, to protect your privacy and security, the company claims it will not create profiles or sell data to outside parties. In general, Apple says it will use on-device processing for most of its tools, although some features will require help from the cloud.
Like its iconic digital assistant, Siri is also getting a major update via Apple Intelligence. This includes better natural language recognition and the ability to understand and remember context from one query to the next. Siri will also help you use your device and let you ask your tablet how to perform certain tasks, search for files, or control apps and functions using your voice.
Some examples of what Apple Intelligence can do is highlight priority emails and put them at the top of the inbox so you don’t miss important messages or events. Or, if you’re feeling more creative, you can use artificial intelligence to create unique emoji (called Genmoji). And in Photos, Apple Intelligence can help you edit images like the Cleanup tool. For those who want the freedom to use other AI models, Apple is adding the option to integrate other services, the first of which will be Chat GPT.
Finally, other minor updates, including a new Passwords app for saving credentials between apps and websites, a new dedicated Game Mode with customized spatial audio, expanded walking results in Apple Maps, and a new eye tracking feature for improved accessibility.
Follow all the news here Apple’s WWDC 2024.
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