Brief Summary
This video provides a comprehensive overview of the new features, changes, and updates in iPadOS 26. It covers everything from visual enhancements like Liquid Glass to significant functional updates such as the new windowing system and improvements to multitasking. The video also discusses updates to Safari, Notes, Files, and accessibility features, as well as the inclusion of Apple Intelligence and the new Journal app.
- Visual Enhancements: Liquid Glass design with refractions and reflections in the dock and control center.
- Multitasking: New windowing system allowing multiple resizable windows, along with updates to Stage Manager.
- App Updates: Safari, Notes, Files, and the introduction of the Preview and Journal apps.
- Accessibility: New features like vehicle motion cues and the accessibility reader.
- Apple Intelligence: Integration of Chat GPT for image generation and Genmoji creation.
Everything New
The video introduces iPadOS 26, highlighting its global release and supported devices. The iPad 7th generation is no longer supported, but all other devices are compatible. The update size was 7.92 GB on the iPad Pro M4 13-inch, with potential variations depending on the device and installation version. The video focuses specifically on iPadOS 26 features, distinguishing them from general iOS 26 updates.
Supported iPads
The video specifies that iPadOS 26 drops support for the iPad 7th generation. All other iPads that supported previous versions of iPadOS will be able to upgrade to iPadOS 26.
Size
The update size for iPadOS 26 is 7.92 GB on the iPad Pro M4 13-inch. The size may vary depending on the iPad model and the current version being updated from.
New Features, Changes and Updates
The video will cover the new features specific to iPadOS 26, differentiating them from the broader updates included in iOS 26. This ensures viewers understand the unique enhancements and changes tailored for iPad users.
Liquid Glass
iPadOS 26 introduces the Liquid Glass design, featuring refractions and reflections in the dock and control center. Notifications and the clock also incorporate this design. New light and dark mode icons are available, along with options for clear and tinted icons, providing users with more customization and visual depth.
Finally Real Multitasking
iPadOS 26 introduces a new windowing system that allows users to resize apps into windows. This feature is enabled in settings under multitasking and gestures, where users can switch to windowed apps. The new system includes a handle in the bottom right corner of apps for resizing, and apps can be thrown to the sides or made full screen.
See All Windows At Once
The "expose" feature, or app expose, allows users to see all open applications by swiping up and holding. This displays all the different applications, including recently closed ones, providing an easy way to navigate between them.
More Precision
The pointer in iPadOS 26 has been updated for more precision, particularly when using a mouse, trackpad, or the Magic Keyboard. The cursor adapts and highlights elements, making navigation more intuitive. Customization options for the pointer, such as contrast, color, and size, are available in accessibility settings.
Stage Manager
Stage Manager is still available in iPadOS 26, allowing users to manage and switch between apps. However, split view and slide over are no longer supported, which means users must rely on the new windowing system for multitasking. The ability to gesture and swipe between different applications remains.
All New Menu
iPadOS 26 features a new menu bar at the top of the screen, similar to macOS. This menu bar includes options like file, edit, view, and history, providing a more Mac-like experience. The menu bar can be turned off if desired, but it unifies the user experience across Apple's operating systems.
Background Tasks
iPadOS 26 allows applications like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and LumaFusion to export videos in the background. This means users can continue working on other tasks while exports are processed.
Safari
Safari in iPadOS 26 features a Liquid Glass design with a translucent menu bar that shrinks away when scrolling. The sidebar has been updated to resemble macOS Tahoe. Users can add websites to the home screen as web apps, opening them in full screen. Enhanced privacy updates include advanced fingerprinting protection in regular browsing.
Notes and Calligraphy
The Notes app in iPadOS 26 includes a new calligraphy pen with presets for angles, thickness, and opacity. The loop tool has been brought back for easier text selection, featuring a movable Liquid Glass highlight.
Preview
iPadOS 26 introduces the Preview app, similar to the one on macOS, allowing users to preview and edit images. Users can rotate images, adjust settings, and remove backgrounds.
Journal
The Journal app is now available on iPadOS 26, syncing with iPhone and Mac. Users can create multiple journals, add glyphs and colors, and receive journaling suggestions with places and insights.
Games
The new Games app replaces Game Center, featuring a home screen for challenges, arcade access, and a library of games. Users can see what friends are playing and challenge them.
Phone
iPadOS 26 includes the full Phone app, similar to the macOS version, allowing users to make calls directly from their iPad. The app includes a dial pad and supports call screening.
AirPods Feature
With the new AirPods update, AirPods can be used as high-quality microphones in apps like the camera app. Users can select AirPods as the audio input in the control center, improving sound quality during recordings.
Accessibility
The App Store now includes accessibility labels indicating supported features like VoiceOver, larger text, and reduced motion. New accessibility features include vehicle motion cues to reduce motion sickness and the accessibility reader, which helps read websites with customizable settings for text size, color, and spacing. Braille access is also enhanced.
Live Translation
Live translation is available in iPadOS 26, similar to iOS and macOS, working in the Messages app, Phone app, and FaceTime. This feature can be enabled in the settings.
Apple Intelligence
iPadOS 26 integrates Apple Intelligence features, including the image playground with Chat GPT for creating realistic images in styles like oil painting and anime. Users can also create Genmoji and combine them with different backgrounds.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts in iPadOS 26 includes additional actions and the ability to create shortcuts based on Apple Intelligence. Users can use different models for cloud or on-device processing, adjust text tone, summarize text, and use image playground.
Family Updates
Family updates allow parents to more easily move kids to child accounts and utilize parental controls for safety. These controls work across communication limits, communication safety, and the App Store.
Security Updates
iPadOS 26 includes security updates for components like Apple Neural Engine, Bluetooth, and IO Kit. Details on the fixes and impacted areas are available on Apple's security release website.
Performance
The final version of iPadOS 26 is reported to be fast and stable on the M4 iPad Pro. No significant crashes or issues were observed during the beta testing period.
Battery life
Battery life may be a concern initially as the system processes in the background. Battery usage will vary depending on usage patterns, but it should normalize after a few days.
What Do You Think of iPadOS 26?
The presenter asks viewers for their opinions on iPadOS 26, particularly regarding the new multitasking features and preferences for slide over.
Conclusion
The video concludes with a thank you to viewers and a reminder to subscribe and like the video. The wallpaper used in the video will be linked in the description.
