Apple has previewed iPadOS 17 at WWDC23 and already released the beta version for all compatible iPad models. Let’s take a look at the new features highlighted during the keynote as well as changes reported by users!
iPadOS 17 Features
There are lots of spectacular enhancements coming to the iPad this year. We try to track them all below.
You can find two categories: those mentioned by Apple in the WWDC 2023 keynote and many others reported by users!
iPadOS 17 Features Highlighted by Apple
Here are the 14 enhancements showcased by Apple:
1. Interactive Widgets – allow iPad users to control music playback, other home appliances and more directly from the Home Screen widget, without the need of opening the app!
2. Redesigned Lock Screen – iPads get an improved Lock Screen in this update, which includes Lock Screen widgets (similar to the iPhone).
3. Live Activities – have been imported from the iPhone and are now also available on the iPad!
4. Flexible layouts – This iPadOS 17 feature allows more flexibility for moving and resizing windows to increase your productivity!
5. Offline Maps – Apple Maps will also work offline starting with iPadOS 17.
6. Live Stickers – are available in iPadOS 17 too. Turn any emoji, photo or live photo into a sticker and use it in Messages and many other apps.
7. Health app – is now available on iPad!
8. Leave a FaceTime message is another enhancement that allows you to record a message if the FaceTime call isn’t answered and you don’t want an important moment to be missed.
9. Predictive Text – option has improved in iPadOS 17. This feature is able to provide inline predictions as you type. Tap spacebar to finish a word or an entire sentence!
10. AirDrop out of range – This iPadOS 17 feature allows your device to continue an airdrop and complete the transfer even if devices get out of range..
11. Inline PDF – Read and annotate a PDF in Notes.
12. PDF AutoFill – option allows you to fill out PDF or scanned documents faster, while using your saved information from Contacts.
13. New tool in Freeform – iPadOS 17 brings new drawing tools like watercolor brush, calligraph pen, highlighter, ruler and more.
14. External Camera on iPAd – is an iPadOS 17 feature that allows you to use your iPad camera as an external one for Apple TV, for example.
iPadOS 17 New Features Reported
Other changes uncovered during beta testing are mentioned here:
1. App Store estimated download time for apps downloaded from the App Store.
2. Beautiful Swipe Animation playing out when swiping to unlock iPad. (Thanks AlgoHussle for sharing.)
3. Verification codes received via Mail will autofill similarly to the ones received in texts. (Source: Apple.com)
4. File transfer estimated time is displayed below the transfer progress bar when sharing or downloading files.
5. More Powerful Widgets: Widgets get interactive in iPadOS 17, allowing users to get tasks done with just a tap. For example, users can turn on the lights, play a song, or mark a reminder as complete in the moment, right from a widget.
Additional iPadOS 17 updates include:
- Stage Manager adds even more flexibility to window position and size, giving users more control over their workspace and supports built-in cameras on an external display.
- Freeform offers new drawing tools; support for hover, tilt and snap to shape; the ability to add connecting lines and new shapes to any object; and Follow Along to guide collaborators around the board.
- Spotlight helps users find information and take action even faster by providing shortcuts to the next action, enhanced visual results, and video search.
- Visual Look Up extends its recognition capabilities to foods, storefronts, and signs and symbols on items such as laundry labels on clothing.
- The keyboard brings improvements to autocorrect, allowing users to enter text faster and easier than ever before. Online predictive text helps users complete sentences quickly, and Dictation’s new voice recognition model improves accuracy.
- Siri can now be activated by simply saying “Siri”. Once enabled, users can issue multiple back-to-back commands without needing to re-enable it.
- Sharing content using AirPlay is even easier thanks to on-device intelligence that now learns a user’s preferences. AirPlay will also work with supported TVs in hotels, allowing users to easily enjoy their favorite content on TV while traveling. Built on the foundation of privacy and security, this feature will be available before the end of the year in select hotels, starting with IHG Hotels & Resorts brands.
- Reminders introduces a new smart grocery list experience, making shopping easier by automatically grouping related items into sections, and provides a new column view for displaying sections horizontally across the screen.
- Maps now allows users to download maps and use them offline. Users can select an area, search and explore rich location information, and get directions for all mobility modes, while offline.
- Privacy updates include expanding communications security, adding protections for children as well as a sensitive content warning for adults. Updates to Photos and Calendar permissions help users make more informed choices about the data they share with apps. And an update to lockdown mode improves protections for those who may be targeted by mercenary spyware.
- New accessibility tools make iPad even more accessible. Assistive Access is a customizable interface that helps users with cognitive disabilities use iPad with greater ease and independence. Live Speech helps non-speaking users capture what they want to say and have it read aloud during phone, FaceTime, and in-person conversations. Personal Voice gives users at risk of speech loss the ability to create a custom voice that sounds like them and integrates seamlessly with Live Speech. And in Magnifier, Point and Speak helps blind or visually impaired users interact with electrical devices and other physical objects with small text labels.
What do you think about the iPadOS 17 features? Have one to report? Which one do you like the most? Install the beta and try them right now? Share your feedback in the comments!
