Public beta: Why it's worth testing iPadOS 18
In addition to iOS 18, the first beta of iPadOS 18 is also available to the public. It contains some interesting functions.
iPadOS 18: Overview of new features.
(Image: Apple)
After Apple released the public betas for its new operating systems a few days ago, many users are focusing on iOS 18, followed by macOS 15 aka Sequoia. However, it is also worth taking a look at iPadOS 18. Critics agree that it is not the greatest of successes - in terms of multitasking, for example, it is still not at Mac level. Nevertheless, Apple has made many adjustments and achieved positive changes. You can already test these in the current beta.
Much of the iPhone ends up on the iPad
Apple is introducing the same new configuration functions for the home screen in iPadOS 18 as in iOS 18. There are new icons in dark mode, icons can be colored, widgets can be resized more quickly and gaps can be left between icons. Icons can also be enlarged and without labels on the iPad. The new Control Center has also been brought to the iPad. It offers more pages for a better overview, can accommodate entire collections of buttons via a library view, and allows faster sorting and visual customization. Switching off via the Control Center is also possible for the first time.
Other iOS 18 features that iPadOS 18 includes concern the security of apps: they can be hidden or equipped with Face ID or Touch ID protection. The Files app can format external media and is better organized. Apple has also finally ported the calculator from the iPhone to the iPad – including various new functions and use of the larger screen resolution.
Handwriting, Math Notes and more
Of course, there are also functions that are only available on the iPad in iPadOS 18. These include AI functions such as automatic handwriting improvement ("Smart Script") when using the Apple Pencil and the so-called Math Notes for solving handwritten math problems. Apple will, of course, also deliver Apple Intelligence to the iPad, but only on devices with an M1 SoC or higher. However, this cannot yet be tested in the beta. It remains unclear when the European launch will follow.
Other new features include the new Passwords app, a new game mode including lower latency for connected controllers and improvements in Safari (including AI summaries). Not all new functions are already available in the beta. It should also be borne in mind that this is pre-release software. We recommend that you only install it on a device that is not in production mode – if you want to be on the safe side, you should also use your own Apple ID so as not to jeopardize data in iCloud. You can read more about the new systems in beta practice at heise+.
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