I am a perfect fit for the iPad Pro’s target audience. I utilize it for video editing, photo manipulation, and image labeling for machine learning projects. However, I often find myself pushing the limits of the iPad’s operating system.
With Apple’s latest 3-nanometer processor in the iPad Pro, expectations were high for a significant upgrade to iPadOS. Unfortunately, the anticipated iPadOS 18 upgrade did not meet these expectations.
While Apple Intelligence offers some useful on-device AI capabilities, it falls short of delivering the computing powerhouse experience promised. Despite this, some features of iPadOS 18 stand out to me.
My favorite features of iPadOS 18
Some positive elements of iPadOS 18, such as live transcription in Notes and app locking with biometric scans, are remarkable. The Control Center’s flexibility, new Photos app organizing tools, and updated Reader mode in Safari also enhance the user experience.
The improved features in the Passwords app and privacy controls further enhance the functionality and security of the operating system.
A frustrating experience with iPadOS 18
However, iPadOS 18 disappoints with its unchanged core functionality and persistent issues. Basic tasks like app window resizing and background app management prove to be challenging. The limitations in slide-over functionality and app multitasking hinder the overall user experience.
Issues with background app management, Google Workspace apps, and Gmail highlight the inconsistencies and limitations of iPadOS 18. The lack of optimization for tablets and screen real estate management compared to Android counterparts is evident.
While some aesthetic changes are introduced in iPadOS 18, they fail to address the core functionality and usability issues. The potential of Apple Intelligence to enhance the user experience remains uncertain, with promising features delayed until 2025.
Not the iPadOS update I was hoping for
The current state of iPadOS 18 falls short of expectations for a seamless, powerful user experience on premium hardware, leaving much to be desired in terms of functionality and innovation.
