iPadOS 15 expectations
This year Apple is already presenting the third version of iPadOS. Since 2019, Apple has its own version of the operating system for the iPad, called iPadOS. In recent versions, Apple has added multiple iPad-specific functions and this year is likely to be no different. A number of functions have already been leaked, but we also have the necessary wishes for iPadOS. These are the expectations of iPadOS 15.
- Home Screen
- Notifications
- Lock Screen and Control Panel
- Privacy
- Other wishes
< li> Multitasking
Countdown to WWDC 2021 In this article series, we look ahead to WWDC 2021 every week. On Monday, June 7, Apple kicks off this year's WWDC, but before that, read the expectations of the major announcements in this article series. >
# 1 New home screen for iPad
It looks like Apple is going to overhaul the home screen for the iPad. We've heard this more than once over the years (and in iPadOS 13, Apple also changed things and the other), but this time it would be the biggest change since the iPad's existence. In any case, you can finally put the widgets anywhere on the home screen. This is now possible on the iPhone, but on the iPad this is still limited to the special widget column. In iPadOS 15, Apple gives you more freedom, according to a reliable source, so that you can, for example, replace your entire home screen with only widgets.
# 2 Notifications will be overhauled
As part of iOS 15, iPadOS 15 also gets updated notifications. You could set separate settings for your notifications in different situations. Now you can only choose to keep all notifications silent with a switch and you can indicate per app how the notifications come to your device, but you cannot set this per situation. You can then, for example, choose other settings for when you are working. This is especially useful on the iPad, because it increasingly serves as a laptop replacement. For example, by setting a work mode, you choose not to be disturbed by incoming notifications from games or other apps that you do not need at the moment.
# 3 New Access Screen and Control Panel
In line with this, Apple will also adjust the Access Screen and Control Center, a source said. You can choose your status for the notifications via a new menu that appears on both the Access screen and the Home screen. It is not known whether there are any iPad-specific changes in the design. The Control Center on the iPad doesn't really use the full screen yet, and with more options it could be possible.
# 4 New privacy feature
Apple has added several new privacy features in recent months. Think of the privacy labels in the App Store, the Safari privacy report and recently the anti-ad tracking where you now first have to give apps permission to be followed by other apps and websites. According to a source, iPadOS 15 will add another function. There will be a new menu in which you can see which apps are secretly collecting data about you. Apps still use all kinds of special ways to collect data about you, even when app tracking is off. Apple wants to put a stop to that again.
# 5 More multitasking functions wanted
One of the aspects that distinguishes the iPad from the iPhone is the larger screen. Today's iPad multitasking features almost all make use of that. Think of Split View and Slide Over, but we still find the options in 2021 somewhat limited. We hope that the iPad will look a bit more like the Mac in this area, with the possibility of having more windows open next to each other and perhaps placing separate windows. Unfortunately, nothing is known about whether Apple really has this planned, but given the improvements in recent years we certainly expect something in this area.
# 6 Other wishes for iPadOS 15
In addition to the rumors, we also have plenty to wish for improvements in iPadOS 15. Every year in our preview we go through a number of improvements that we would like to see, including now for iPadOS 15:
- Calculator App : How hard can it be? The iPad still has to do without an official Calculator app. On the iPhone, Mac, and even the Apple Watch, it is still available, but it is missing on the iPad for mysterious reasons. Last year, Craig Federighi, Apple's software boss, was asked why there is still no Calculator app for the iPad. His answer? & ldquo; We really want to make something unique where you think: this is a really good calculator app! & rdquo; As far as we are concerned, a calculator with support for Split View, Slide Over and other multitasking features is more than enough.
- Weather app : Also still missing is a decent Weather app on the iPad. Apple does have a widget and you can also ask Siri on the iPad about the weather, but an app with beautiful graphs and weather images is missing. Maybe it will finally happen this year, as we could just see more of the Dark Sky acquisition this year, over a year ago.
- Multiple accounts : As the iPad and Mac grow closer together, this is a feature that we really want to see. An iPad is often used by several people within the family, but you can only set up one account. We understand that it won't bring much for Apple, because it reduces the chance that a household with such a function will buy multiple iPads, but we would still appreciate Apple adding this.
- More features of the Mac : The iPad can learn even more from the Mac, especially now that the iPad with the iPad Pro 2021 even has the same chip as the recent MacBooks. Consider, for example, more options for the right mouse click (or long pressing of apps). Some apps, such as Files, offer more options in these situations, but there is always room for improvement. This concept, which we shared with you last year, is still a great example of what is possible.
- App library : Apple introduced the app library in iOS 14 on the iPhone, but on the iPad it is not visible in any way. We hope that Apple will add this in iPadOS 15, with or without some tweaks such as more customization options that make full use of the large screen.
- Scribble in Dutch : In iPadOS 14 Apple added Scribble handwriting recognition to the iPad. This allows you to write with the Apple Pencil, after which the iPad recognizes your handwriting and converts it into typed words. Unfortunately, this doesn't work in English yet, but we hope Apple will speed it up now.
iPadOS 15 will be announced during WWDC 2021, starting June 7. Read more about iPadOS 15, including suitable devices, in our round-up.