WWDC 2024: Apple Brings Calculator App, AI-Enhanced Siri, More to iPadOS 18

Apple officially announced iPad OS 18 during its first keynote session at WWDC 2024. And over 14 years after the launch of the first iPad, the iPadOS is finally getting a calculator app this fall.

Apart from the new Calculator app, iPadOS is also getting an enhanced version of Siri, powered by ChatGPT, which the company is calling Apple Intelligence. The iPad is also getting enhanced Note taking features and app customizations.

Calculator App on iPad

The iPad is getting a Calculator app with iOS 18 this fall. This app has been on the iPhone for years. A new feature, Math Notes, lets you jot down calculations with the Apple Pencil. Just add an equal's sign, and the app solves the equation. Drawing a line under numbers sums them up. Math Notes is available in Notes and Calculator.

Enhanced Notes Features

Another Notes feature, Smart Script, uses machine learning to smoothen handwriting. This improves messy handwriting, especially when you need to take something down quickly. This feature makes your notes more readable and presentable.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence improves search functionality for photos and videos. Users can now find content more easily using natural language prompts. This feature aims to simplify content discovery on Apple devices. Apple Intelligence uses personal data and context for tailored experiences. Built on large language and intelligence models, much of the processing is done locally on Apple devices.

Photos and Messages Apps Updates

The Photos app gets its biggest redesign yet. It presents a simplified, single view display showing photos, people, pets, and more. The Messages app includes new features such as scheduling messages and reacting with any emoji. It also adds text formatting options like bold, italics, and underline.

iPadOS 18 is making its way to several iPads later this year. However, Apple Intelligence will only be offered on iPads running the M1 chip and later. Moreover, iPadOS 18 Developer Beta is rolling out today, while the Public Beta will be available in July, while the stable iPadOS 18 update will begin rolling out before by September or October 2024.

Here's the list of iPads compatible with iPadOS 18 - iPad Pad Pro with M4, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Gen or Later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Gen or Later), iPad Air with M2 iPad Air (3rd Gen or Later), iPad (7th Gen or Later), and iPad mini (5th Gen or Later).