# iPadOS 18 Review: An Impressive Update With One Key Absence
Apple’s newest operating system upgrade, iPadOS 18, is nearly upon us, offering a plethora of new functionalities designed to enhance the iPad’s capabilities and versatility. Nonetheless, despite the numerous enhancements, there is one notable absence that users might find disheartening. In this review, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of iPadOS 18, emphasizing the most significant changes alongside what’s still lacking.
## Advantages and Disadvantages of iPadOS 18
### Advantages:
– **Revitalized OS**: iPadOS 18 has a refreshed feel with multiple redesigned elements that enhance user experience and make it more intuitive.
– **Smart Script**: This feature revolutionizes the approach for students, writers, and anyone using the iPad for note-taking or document drafting.
### Disadvantages:
– **Apple Intelligence**: Despite high expectations, Apple Intelligence is still absent in this iteration.
– **Stage Manager Limitations**: Users anticipating developments for Stage Manager will be let down, as no new enhancements are present.
## First Impressions
iPadOS 18 signifies a shift from previous updates that emphasized integration with macOS features such as Stage Manager, Universal Control, and Sidecar. Instead, this update focuses on strengthening the iPad’s tablet capabilities. Although the M4 iPad Pro was anticipated to capitalize on the potential of iPadOS 18, the update caters to all iPad users, not just those with the cutting-edge hardware.
### A New Direction for iPadOS
With iPadOS 18, Apple has realigned its priorities, positioning the iPad more as a tablet rather than a substitute for a laptop. This is clear in the features that emphasize usability, creativity, and productivity, as opposed to imitating the Mac experience.
## Highlighted Features of iPadOS 18
### 1. **Calculator App: At Last**
After 14 years, Apple introduces a native Calculator app for the iPad. While it may appear to be a straightforward addition, the app boasts an impressive new capability known as **Math Notes**. This feature enables users to type or write mathematical formulas and view them resolved in real-time. This tool is accessible in both the Calculator app and the Notes app, making it invaluable for students and professionals alike.
### 2. **Smart Script: The Standout of iPadOS 18**
Smart Script enhances the Scribble functionality, Apple’s handwriting recognition tool. It allows users to modify handwritten content as effortlessly as typed text. Whether adjusting spacing, erasing sentences, or resizing paragraphs, Smart Script streamlines note-taking and writing on the iPad. This feature is especially beneficial for students and writers who depend on the iPad for their tasks.
### 3. **Game Mode: A New Chapter for iPad Gaming**
First introduced in macOS Sonoma, **Game Mode** is now part of iPadOS 18. This feature reduces background processes to sustain high frame rates during prolonged gaming sessions. Combined with Apple’s powerful chips, Game Mode guarantees seamless gameplay without overheating or quick battery depletion. Additionally, tailored Spatial Audio for gaming will be introduced later this autumn, further enriching the gaming experience.
### 4. **Other Significant Features**
– **SharePlay**: Enhanced screen-sharing capabilities enable users to draw and interact with their screens during FaceTime calls.
– **Freeform**: Users can now arrange scenes to segment sections of a board according to topics, simplifying content presentation.
– **Calendar and Reminders Integration**: Calendar now consolidates both events and tasks from Reminders, facilitating improved schedule management.
## The Missing Element: Apple Intelligence
In spite of the numerous advancements in iPadOS 18, **Apple Intelligence** is still nowhere to be found. Apple has assured that this functionality will be integrated in a future release (iPadOS 18.1), but for now, users need to wait. Apple Intelligence is anticipated to introduce features like Writing Tools, which can edit articles, summarize alerts, and enhance images. However, based on preliminary evaluations, it remains uncertain whether these functions will make Apple Intelligence particularly notable.
## Device Compatibility
With iPadOS 18, Apple ceases to support various older iPad models. The following devices are eligible for the new update:
– iPad Pro (2018 or newer)
– iPad Air 3 or newer
– iPad mini 5 or newer
– iPad 7th generation or newer
## Final Thoughts: A Robust Update with Scope for Growth
iPadOS 18 is a commendable update that introduces several practical features to the iPad, enhancing its strength and versatility as a tablet. The arrival of Smart Script, Game Mode, and the long-awaited Calculator app
