While the focus has been on iOS 17 and iPhone 15 lately, Apple also has a new update for iPad users. it's now available. I'm using iPadOS 17 on my iPad Pro and there are two features at the moment.
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updates”>Stage Manager updates
Apple introduced Stage Manager as a new way to multitask in iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura last year. Although Apple only briefly mentioned Stage Manager during the iPadOS 17 presentation at WWDC this year, it turns out that the changes are actually done quite well.
The biggest change is that iPadOS 17 gives you much more freedom when arranging and resizing windows using Stage Manager. While there's still not as much freedom as there is on the Mac, it's a much better system than what was offered in the original version of Stage Manager. Significantly more flexibility and support for overlapping windows.
You can also Shift-click application icons to instantly add windows to your current workspace. This works from both the iPad dock and Spotlight search. Honestly, this change alone is enough for me to at least be able to use Stage Manager on the iPad, not to mention it comes with the freedom to resize and place windows.
The changes to Stage Manager in iPadOS 17 are so noticeable and so well done that it's now a viable way for me to multitask on iPad.
I also recommend checking out MacStories' coverage of the changes to Stage Manager. in iPadOS 17.
More flexible home screen widgets
Apple introduced the home screen Screen widgets on the iPad two years ago were part of iPadOS 15. This year's update to iPad brings more functionality and flexibility. First of all, widgets are interactive. This allows you to perform tasks like playing music, completing a to-do list task, and more without opening the corresponding app for that widget.
Image via @Villida at Twitter
In addition to support for interactive widgets, iPadOS 17 also brings a big update to Home screen customization. In iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16, widgets could only be placed around app icons and next to each other. For example, you couldn't leave white space between widgets and apps, and you couldn't recreate the widget strip on the iPad home screen that many people loved in iPadOS 14.
However, this changed in iPadOS 17. iPad users can now place widgets anywhere on the home screen for even more customization. This includes the ability to duplicate a strip of widgets along the side of the iPad's home screen.
The combination of additional customization and interactivity of widgets makes them infinitely more useful. In my opinion, widget interactivity is a much more useful change on the iPad than on the iPhone.
Opinion 9to5Mac
If I had to describe my first impressions of iPadOS 17 in one word, it would be “flexibility.” Apple has finally removed some notable restrictions that previously limited features like widgets and Stage Manager. This is a big step in the right direction.
Best comment from Caesarrr
This is – > “When I use my iPad Pro, I don't need the macOS experience. I want the power of iPadOS, but with the power and flexibility of macOS.”
That's the difference between iPad & Mac, this makes so much sense.
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iPadOS still isn't as flexible as macOS, and it probably never will be. However, slowly but surely, Apple is making changes that could help turn the iPad into a more reliable and powerful platform for more people.
The ultimate goal is to give people the ability to use iPad without having to compromise their workflows. compared to what they do on Mac. This doesn't mean that iPadOS has to offer all the features that macOS offers in exactly the same way. When I use the iPad Pro, I don't need the macOS capabilities. I want the iPadOS experience, but with the power and flexibility of macOS.
In fact, the iPad should offer more flexibility than the Mac, given its emphasis on both touch and cursor input, different form factors, and cellular connection. We're not there yet, but the changes in iPadOS 17 combined with the recent releases of Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for iPad make me more hopeful than ever.
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