Apple Unveils iPadOS 18 With New Calculator App, Tab Bar, and More

Apple today previewed iPadOS 18, a major update to the operating system for the iPad that introduces a new Calendar app, a redesigned systemwide tab bar, and more.

ipados 18 math notes
‌iPadOS 18‌ brings over many of the new features and improvements introduced in iOS 18 to the ‌iPad‌ such as the redesigned Photos app and new Home Screen customization tools.

In ‌iPadOS 18‌, a new floating tab bar morphs into the navigation sidebar. The tab bar is also customizable to keep favourites within easy reach. It is available across the system. There is also a new document browser in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

‌iPadOS 18‌ also brings the Calculator app to the ‌iPad‌ for the first time, with new features like history and unit conversions. Math notes allows users to solve expressions when writing with the Apple Pencil.

Math notes enable users to hand-write expressions and automatically calculate the answer, displaying it in handwriting that's like their own. Users can use basic or scientific math, and notes can be saved for later. Variables are supported, allowing you to solve algebraic equations. They can be edited to see results change in real time, and even generate a graph.

Notes has the same math capabilities from Calculator. Notes also gains new Smart Script capabilities that automatically improve your handwriting as you write.

SharePlay now allows users to tap and draw on the screen when sharing, and you can remotely control someone else's ‌iPad‌ or iPhone.

‌iPadOS 18‌ also includes refined animations across the UI, making them feel even more responsive. There are new APIs for developers to integrate these animations.

The first developer beta of ‌iPadOS 18‌ is available starting today, with a public beta following in July, and official release to the public in the fall.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
Apple Maps 2024

Apple Maps Might Start Showing Ads

Sunday February 16, 2025 7:22 am PST by
Apple is "exploring" the idea of showing search ads in the Apple Maps app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Back in 2022, Gurman said software engineering was "already underway" to display ads in the Apple Maps app, but Apple did not move forward with the idea at the time. Today, he said Apple is "giving this notion more thought" again. This time around, he said Apple has yet to...
m2 pro mac mini

Apple is Now Selling a Refurbished Mac Mini for Just $319 (!)

Saturday February 15, 2025 9:58 am PST by
A few days ago, we reported that Apple's refurbished Mac mini pricing had a problem, and it appears that Apple has taken note. Apple was offering a refurbished Mac mini with the M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $559, which was $50 more than a refurbished Mac mini with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. All other key specifications were equal. That's no longer...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

What to Expect From the 'Apple Launch' Next Week

Thursday February 13, 2025 11:48 am PST by
Apple has yet to announce any new devices this year, but that could change starting next week. Apple CEO Tim Cook today said to "get ready" for a "launch" on Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," said Cook, in a social media post. The post includes an #AppleLaunch hashtag, along with a short video featuring an animated Apple logo inside of a circle....
iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro With All-New Camera Bar Design Allegedly Revealed

Thursday February 13, 2025 5:49 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro will feature three rear cameras arranged in a familiar triangular layout, but the cameras will be housed in an all-new rectangular camera bar with rounded corners, according to YouTube channel Front Page Tech. iPhone 17 Pro camera design render created by Asher for Front Page Tech In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser said the camera ...
Tim Cook Apple Park

10+ Announcements Apple Could Have Rolled Into a February Event

Saturday February 15, 2025 8:00 am PST by
Apple appears to have enough upcoming product announcements to justify a full event this month, yet all signs indicate these reveals will be handled through a series of press releases instead. There are a multitude of rumors from reliable sources about specific announcements in the coming weeks, so here's everything that Apple could have feasibly included in a hypothetical February event: ...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

Apple's Next iPhone SE Launching on Wednesday - Here's What We Know

Friday February 14, 2025 4:04 pm PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an Apple announcement that's coming on Wednesday, February 19, and it's looking like that mystery announcement will be the next-generation iPhone SE. We've been hearing about the iPhone SE 4 for quite some time now, and we essentially know everything to expect. If you want a sneak peek at what's coming, read on. Naming Apple first introduced the iPhone SE in...

Top Rated Comments

JamesMay82 Avatar
9 months ago
I’m gutted! Still the same crap files app!
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
atoqir Avatar
9 months ago

this is crazy, same BS, i just got my m4 ipad, what a disappointment
Golden rule: Always buy products (whatever they are) with the features they offer when you buy them, not what they might offer someday.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pshady Avatar
9 months ago
Glad I got the M4 for the new calculator app.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lotzosushi Avatar
9 months ago
Everyone: This is gonna be Apple's biggest iPad OS update since the iPad was introduced!!

Apple: Here's a calculator.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Supermallet Avatar
9 months ago
So they debut the M4 chip with the iPad Pro and then make no improvements to features like Stage Manager? I'm not demanding MacOS on the iPad but good god Apple make it more functional for those of us who want to use the full power of the chips in these devices.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sofargone Avatar
9 months ago
what a joke, no new multitasking features or better files app, disappointed in apple! the worst ipados update to date
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)