Apple unveils iPadOS 26 with exciting new features
- Apple unveiled iPadOS 26 at WWDC 2025, featuring a new Liquid Glass design and improved functionality.
- The update includes four exciting applications: Journal, Apple Games, Preview, and Phone, enhancing the user experience.
- Overall, iPadOS 26 pushes the boundaries of the iPad as a primary computing device and fosters increased multitasking effectiveness.
In the United States, Apple showcased its new iPad operating system, iPadOS 26, at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. The conference, which took place on June 5, 2025, marked a significant update for iPad users, focusing on enhancing user experience and multitasking capabilities. Apple introduced a fresh and bold Liquid Glass design reminiscent of iOS 26 and added advanced features powered by Apple Intelligence, alongside an upgraded file management system. The public release for the update is expected later this year, with developer beta versions already available for testing. iPadOS 26 aims to align more closely with macOS, signaling Apple's intention to position the iPad as a primary computing device. The upgrade will bring four new applications to iPads: Journal, Apple Games, Preview, and Phone. The Journal app mimics its iPhone counterpart, allowing users to document daily moments easily. The introduction of the Apple Games app aims to centralize gaming experiences, enhancing interactivity without disrupting gameplay. Moreover, the Preview app is designed for smarter file management, enabling users to edit and annotate documents efficiently. Lastly, the Phone app will finally allow iPad users to make calls, reforming the previously text-exclusive experience. Notably, enhancements were also made to existing apps such as Calculator and Notes, underscoring Apple's commitment to constant improvement and user feedback. Despite these advancements, not all iPad models will be able to access the new features of iPadOS 26, with compatibility limited to recent models including the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini. Apple will continue to drop older models from support annually, reflecting the industry trend of catering to newer technology. Additionally, the iPadOS 26 update will include upgraded multitasking features and a more intuitive interface for managing multiple applications simultaneously, moving the iPad closer to fulfilling users' needs as a versatile productivity tool.