Apple has fully embraced the potential of the iPad as a replacement for the computer. Not by chance, he announced that iOS 13 gains a specific derivation for the tablet, called iPadOS. The system is already born in version 13 and brings a series of features that stand out for optimizing workflow. In other words, the iPad is more complete for those who use it as a digital productivity tool.
The announcement was made at WWDC 2019, a conference dedicated to programmers that started on Monday (03). The launch of the iPadOS to the general public is scheduled for September, when the American giant also usually releases the new version of iOS and renovates the iPhones.
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Event attendees went wild with the revelation that iPads may, in the future, connect to external storage devices. It will no longer be necessary to settle for just the space on the tablet itself to save files, since the iPadOS system supports external hard drives, SD memory cards and USB sticks.
It is worth remembering that the latest generation of the iPad Pro (2018) replaced the traditional Lighting port with USB-C. With this, devices that also use the format will work without the need for adapters.
Document management in the native application iPadOS files Photo: Divulgao / Apple
Apple said the native Archives app will work with home and corporate networks, including enabling the iPad to connect to Windows computers.
The home screen has been rethought. It continues to show the user's applications, only in larger quantities and with smaller icons. There is also a column dedicated to widgets, boxes with information about the moment and buttons to access the most popular resources.
Behind the measure is the idea of ​​offering greater convenience and agility to the fans of the Apple tablet, usually mentioned as heavy users (intense users, so to speak).
Widgets and summary of the day on the new iPad home screen Photo: Divulgao / Apple
IPhone owners find a similar feature when opening the home screen and dragging a finger from left to right. The available widgets will appear.
The virtual keyboard interface undergoes changes. The owners of the device can reduce it to the size normally seen on the iPhone. You will also have swype technology, in which you simply drag your finger between the letters to make the system complete with the correct word. Android fans have criticized Apple for adopting the tool now, as it has been around for years on the rival system.
iPadOS: virtual keyboard in smaller version resembles iPhone Photo: Divulgao / Apple
The predilection for multitasking is more interesting with the possibility of opening not only apps, but the contents of these same apps in tiled windows. In the inaugural presentation, for example, two notes were displayed side by side. Both were based on the native Notes app.
Slide Over function allows you to merge between miniature apps Photo: Divulgao / Apple
A new gesture makes it possible to merge the miniature app that is in one corner of the screen, as if it were an additional column with other programs installed on the device. Finally, Sidecar turns the tablet into an extension of the Mac that the user has at home or at work, to display additional information or even to interact with some content from the touch display.
In addition to the renewed home screen, the iPadOS 13 replicates the dark mode of iOS 13. Applications and system screens gain a shade close to black, which results in energy savings and greater comfort for the eyes, especially at night.
Dark mode and widgets on the iPadOS 13 home screen Photo: Divulgao / Apple
Night mode has become a recent trend in the technology market. In addition to cell phones and tablets, it also appeared on computer-oriented systems. Users will have the possibility to activate it manually or set up automatic switching for when nightfall in the location where the iPad is.
In the search for a more complete product, Apple chose to release a full version of the Safari browser for tablet owners. The difference in relation to the iOS browser has to do with more sophisticated pages, which normally would not work on the smartphone also due to the smaller screen.
Safari for iPadOS optimizes sites for touch control Photo: Divulgao / Apple
Safari for iPadOS will allow you to access Google Docs and make changes to documents as if you were on a Mac. Today this is not possible. WordPress and Squarespace were mentioned among services that in the future will work better on the tablet.
A download center also marks presence in the browser. It will be possible to consult the files downloaded recently. The tool is of interest to anyone who receives files online.
The journalist traveled at the invitation of Apple.
