What is iPadOS? On which device? When is it updated?

At WWDC 2019, Apple introduced a major update for the iPad. Instead of using the same iOS name, the new iPads will have a dedicated OS called iPadOS. With many changes in usage, the new operating system has made the iPad a better work device.

Features of iPadOS

iPadOS is designed with the iPad in mind, so Apple is free to tweak the platform to suit the iPad’s large screen and capabilities. Although separated from iOS, iPadOS will still be as familiar to iOS users as before.

In general, iPadOS has also been upgraded and improved with features similar to the newly announced iOS 13 such as Dark Mode, Apple Maps, the “Sign in with Apple” feature, … Also in iPadOS will be integrated add widget this will help the device quickly access some settings or tools needed when using.

Interface of iPadOS

iPadOS will have a new Home screen with a more spacious interface , smaller icons , widgets items will display in parallel with Home, no longer on a separate page.

This will help all information be displayed clearly right on the Home, along with that users will customize with widgets more, you can swipe through to pin the widgets on the home screen .

New multitasking mode on iPadOS

Slide Over is a new feature on iPadOS, you can quickly swipe to the bottom of the screen and it will open the apps you previously put and Slide Over, which can be seen as a feature for users to open applications faster .

It looks like there’s a small iPhone X interface on the iPad screen, sliding along the bottom bar of the sliding app.

Split View works as usual, but the most valuable point is that you can split an application in half for more space to work. For example, you are in the Notes application and when you open Split View, you will have an extra part of the screen to work with Apple Pencil, the other part is for typing.

Edit and enter text

You can download fonts from the App Store to use in supported apps. In addition, you can highlight a text then use 3 fingers to pinch to copy quickly and 3 fingers to swipe out to paste . If you want to “undo” or “redo”, just swipe left or right with three fingers.

Apple Pencil

iPad OS also has better Apple Pencil support, Apple has reduced the latency to only 9ms instead of 20ms as before, and also improved the Apple Pencil’s toolbar. If you pull down the nib from the edge of the iPad, it will activate the screen capture feature and immediately be able to edit on it.

File Manager on iPadOS

Files: Application with Finder- like column view. There is an info pane that allows you to make minor modifications on the files. iCloud Drive now supports file sharing and also supports storage devices like USB. Just plug it into your iPad and you’ll be able to quickly read the files inside.

Safari browser on iPadOS

iPadOS also offers a nearly identical desktop browsing experience, with 30 keyboard shortcuts and even a Download Manager . Now, iPadOS is also integrated with Safari, providing an almost MacOS experience.

The most impressive point is that when downloading a file, the download will be displayed separately on the right corner of the screen. When finished downloading and opening the file (docx; PDF; …) will go to a quick preview for users.

Release date? Which iPads will support iPadOS?

List of iPadOS compatible devices:

iPadOS will be available on all versions, starting with iPad Air 2 and later .

• iPad Pro (12.9 inch)
• iPad Pro (11-inch)
• iPad Pro (10.5 inches)
• iPad Pro (9.7 inch)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air 2

The original iPad Air version and iPad mini 2 will not be updated to this version of iPadOS.

Release date

Currently, iPadOS 13 is only available as a developer beta . The public beta will launch next month before its release this fall , possibly in September with the arrival of the new 2019 iPhone series.