# iPadOS 18: Features, Release Date, and All You Need to Know
Apple’s iPadOS 18 is the newest operating system crafted specifically for iPads, offering a plethora of new functionalities, enhancements, and innovations. Centered around boosting productivity, creativity, and user experience, iPadOS 18 brings forth several thrilling updates, such as Apple Intelligence, an overhauled Home Screen, and much more. Here’s an all-encompassing guide to everything you need to understand about iPadOS 18.
## Release Date
iPadOS 18 officially debuted on **September 16, 2024**, after its initial beta launch on June 10, 2024. The public beta was made available in July, enabling users to explore the new features ahead of the official rollout. However, owners of the **M4 iPad Pro** needed to wait until **October 3, 2024**, when Apple rolled out iPadOS 18.0.1, to access the update.
## Key Features of iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 shares numerous features with iOS 18 while also adding functionalities specific to the iPad. Here are the major highlights:
### 1. **New Calculator App**
After countless requests, Apple has at last launched a **Calculator app** for the iPad. It boasts a distinctive **Math Notes** feature, enabling users to write or type mathematical equations and see them solved immediately. The app also accommodates graphing functions, proving to be a beneficial resource for students and professionals alike.
### 2. **Smart Script**
Utilizing the **Apple Pencil**, Smart Script enhances the readability of handwritten notes. It allows users to modify handwritten text with the same ease as typed text, incorporating features like adding spaces, striking out sentences, and reflowing paragraphs to accommodate new content.
### 3. **Home Screen Redesign**
iPadOS 18 presents a more personalized Home Screen. Users can now arrange apps and widgets anywhere on the display, implement **dark or tinted effects**, and even enlarge app icons for better visibility. The **Control Center** has also been revamped, allowing for the creation of custom widget groups and layout adjustments.
### 4. **Photos App Overhaul**
The **Photos app** has undergone its most significant update thus far, offering a single-view display with new **collections** that assist users in browsing by themes. Auto-playing content breathes life into photo libraries, and users can pin preferred collections for swift access.
### 5. **Passwords App**
Building on the Keychain’s foundation, the new **Passwords app** simplifies the management of passwords, passkeys, and verification codes. Users can also lock and conceal apps, ensuring sensitive information remains private and accessible solely through Face ID or Touch ID.
### 6. **Messages Improvements**
iPadOS 18 delivers several new features to **Messages**, including:
– **Text effects** that enhance letters, words, or emojis.
– **Message scheduling** for sending texts at a later time.
– **Messages via satellite**, allowing users to transmit and receive texts when cellular and Wi-Fi connections aren’t available.
## Apple Intelligence: AI-Powered Features
One of the most eagerly awaited features of iPadOS 18 is **Apple Intelligence**, available on M1 iPads and newer models. This AI-driven tool presents a variety of capabilities:
– **Writing Tools**: Users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text across different applications.
– **Image Playground**: Craft playful images using AI, with options for animation and illustration.
– **Genmoji**: Generate new emoji characters based on text descriptions.
– **Memories in Photos**: Automatically create narratives from your photos and videos.
– **Clean Up Tool**: Eliminate distracting objects from photos without changing the subject.
– **Siri Enhancements**: Siri can now sustain context between requests and offers improved voice and text interactions.
## Features Arriving Later
Some functionalities of iPadOS 18 will debut later in the year:
– **Mail Enhancements**: On-device categorization will arrange emails into sections such as Primary, Transactions, and Promotions. A new digest view will also assist users in scanning important emails effectively.
– **New Emojis**: Apple plans to introduce new emojis during the iPadOS 18 lifecycle, probably in version 18.4.
## Accessibility Features
Apple has also rolled out various accessibility features in iPadOS 18:
– **Eye Tracking**: Users can navigate their iPads solely with their eyes, thanks to on-device machine learning.
– **Vocal Shortcuts**: Assign custom phrases that Siri can recognize to activate shortcuts.
– **Vehicle Motion Cues**: Assists in reducing motion sickness for passengers by showcasing animated dots that depict vehicle movement.
## Supported Devices
iPadOS 18 is compatible with these iPad models:
– iPad Pro (2018 or newer)
– iPad Air 3 or newer
– iPad mini
