For anyone who knows a thing or two about Apple‘s iPad Pro series, especially the newer models, it’s pretty clear that the company has been holding back its potential. After all, I’m talking about tablets with chipset performance that can rival that of a premium laptop.
This year, Apple made that claim even more true with the launch of the absurdly powerful 2024 iPad Pro series, which debuted alongside the new M4 chipset, Apple’s latest and greatest silicon. Not to mention, this new generation of iPad Pro M4 also comes with an updated Magic Keyboard that, when installed, makes the tablet look more like a MacBook than ever before.
Yet despite all that raw power and potential, Apple continues to offer largely the same software experience through iPadOS, changing things only slightly and slowly to utilize the power of the iPad Pro more effectively. Of course, this is a topic that has long been the subject of discussion and debate among enthusiasts and professionals alike and has historically been a perpetually repeating rollercoaster of hope and disappointment.
But Apple’s 2024 WWDC event is approaching, and the company hasn’t shied away from touting it as one of the biggest software-related announcements in its history. Does that mean we can expect iPadOS 18 to be the one that dramatically changes the way we think about an iPad? Well, it’s not clear, but at least I’m too wary of getting my hopes up given what history has shown so far.
However, here are five ways iPadOS 18 can make the M4 iPad Pro series the one to break the vicious cycle of disappointment.
1. Complete Home Screen Overhaul
Well, why not start with something a little more superficial, visual, even superficial? This is old but golden, but it’s about time we freed ourselves from the shackles of the iOS-like default grid of icons and widgets.
Even something as simple as allowing free control over how to organize and navigate the home screen would not only be a major visual change for the iPad but also very practical. This can easily be the first step towards a more adaptable and versatile device. Apple can even turn it into a special view that’s only available when you have accessories like the new Magic Keyboard connected, making it clear that “you’re now in laptop mode.”
We have different muscle memory for the different devices we have. Our hands adapt immediately depending on whether we are holding a phone or when we have them on a keyboard. I don’t know about you, but when I take a tablet I always feel a little… uncomfortable.
2. Optimize Control Center and notifications
For some reason, Apple has copied and pasted the look and behavior of Control and Notification Centers in iOS into MacOS. This is true even when it comes to the size of both, even though you have a lot more space on an iPad. Apple is known for saying that it likes to keep things similar across devices to make things simpler and more familiar to users, but it would be much better if iPadOS handled notifications and simple device controls more like a Mac than an iPhone.
Size is the main thing to change here. Notifications can take up the entire screen (or at least more) to reveal more information. Control Center could also benefit from larger buttons, and perhaps even be able to adapt and change the layout of the buttons depending on the orientation of the iPad (the volume and brightness controls could be horizontal, for example).
3. Replace files with Finder
Listen, you can get used to the way files are laid out on the iPad Pro if you try, but the Files app is a far cry from the capabilities of Finder on the Mac. As it stands now, the iPad’s Files app looks similar. more like that of an iPhone, which is not the easiest to navigate. I find it quite confusing sometimes.
In contrast, the Finder app, as the name suggests, makes it easier to find whatever you’re looking for by separating your files into different categories/folders by default. You can have a separate space for AirDropped files, apps, things already on your desktop, documents, etc.
4. More desktop-class apps, please
This is probably the most obvious and most requested since laptop-friendly chips appeared on iPads. Of course, such a change would make the iPad Pro a bigger competitor to Apple’s MacBooks. That said, the M4 is a beast of a processor, so it would make a lot of sense to create more desktop applications. It looks like Apple is already doing something like this with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad, so here’s hoping this turns into something like that. a trend, and we see more applications taking advantage of all the power. Safari is another example – a desktop-like version with plugin support would be great on an iPad!
5. A complete set of AI
Apple has been announcing that this year, as with many other manufacturers, it will double its commitment to generative AI and large language models to improve the user experience offered by its devices. Now, since the iPad Pro is primarily marketed as a creative tool, it would make sense to see some AI features that would benefit creatives by streamlining their workflow.
This could come in the form of something like Google’s recently announced DJ Mode in MusicFX, which can generate a tune based on your instructions. They could also be classic AI-generated images or even AI-generated videos.
In addition to helping with creativity apps, Apple may also introduce artificial intelligence tools to help you type text, search for files on your iPad, or proofread your email. All things that the competition has already done, but that makes a lot of sense to be available on an iPad.
Conclusion
Let’s be honest, the best way to justify the high price of the iPad Pro M4 would be to bring its capabilities closer to those of a Macbook. But that obviously can’t happen, since… Apple doesn’t want its tablets to compete with its laptops!
However, desktop apps, some UI tweaks (and perhaps complete overhauls in some cases), as well as the new trend of AI-powered features have the potential to transform iPad Pros into the product they were always intended to be. be portable beasts that can adapt to the user’s needs.
We don’t have to wait much longer to find out more about the future of the iPad. Apple’s WWDC starts on June 10 and Apple will surely talk about iPadOS and AI. And we’ll soon find out whether Apple ups the ante on the iPad or leaves us with yet another generation of powerful hardware and limited software.
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Aleksandar is a technology enthusiast with a wide range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his devices and he likes to switch between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Before joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked at the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he is not immersed in technology, Aleksandar is a nature lover who enjoys mountain hiking, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, athletics, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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