The tablet market remains largely dominated by Apple iPads that come in various sizes. Apple’s tablet line includes the iPad Pro series, which features the most advanced hardware. We have the iPad Air series, which is essentially a toned down variant of Pro models designed for semi-professional customers. We also designed the regular iPad series and iPad mini for entry-level customers. However, all iPads run on Apple’s iPadOS (current version iPadOS 15), which is similar to iPhone’s iOS software. While there are some differences in the interface and app availability, the iPad still remains a very useful productivity device. If you’ve bought or are planning to buy an iPad for the first time, here’s a beginner’s guide.
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iPad Principles
The basics start with signing in with your Apple ID. If you are already an iPhone user, you can sync data seamlessly with the unified Apple ID. iPads are fully touch-sensitive, allowing users to control apps with simple gestures: tap, touch and hold, swipe, scroll, and zoom. To save battery, iPad users can also switch to power-saving mode. It limits background activity and optimizes performance for essential tasks such as making and receiving calls, email and messaging. There is also AirDrop that allows users to transfer huge files between Apple devices in seconds. Airdrop uses Bluetooth technology and Wi-Fi must be turned on. Users can save full screen screenshots as PDFs. You can take a full-page, scrolling screenshot of a web page, document, or email that is longer than your iPad screen, and then save it as a PDF.
Multitasking with iPad
As mentioned, iPadOS offers a similar experience to iOS, but it remains more useful for multitasking. The large screen allows users to run multiple apps side by side in a split view or a side view. To use multitasking:
Open an app. Tap the Multitasking button (three vertical dots) at the top of the screen. Tap the Split View button or the Slide Over button. The current app will slide to the side and your home screen will appear. Tap a second app on your home screen. (Swipe left or right to see apps on your other home screen pages. You can also tap an app in your Dock.)
Users can drag and drop text and images from one app to another while using Split View. Select it first, then hold your finger on the selection until it has an outline around it. Then just drag it to the other app you opened. There is also a center pane, where users can work with email, notes, or messages in the center of the screen without leaving their current view. Press and hold a note, email, or message, and select open in a new window in the center of the screen.
Optimized Microsoft apps on iPad
Whether you are an Apple user or an Android fan, Microsoft apps remain very powerful and useful for all customers. iPad supports Microsoft Office apps optimized for iPadOS. Users can take advantage of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint tools designed for mobile tasks, such as creating PDFs, signing documents, converting images to text and tables, and other quick actions. You can also use the iWork suite of apps, including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. These apps are available for free on iPad and come with a variety of templates and advanced features.
In addition, there is also a Picture in Picture (PiP) on iPad that allows users to watch videos in a floating video while other apps are open.
Organize with widgets and app library on Apple iPad
Similar to iOS 15, iPadOS allows users to add widgets to the home screen. Adding widgets to your home screen allows users to view important updates without opening the app. Tap and hold the home screen until the apps jiggle, then tap the ‘plus’ symbol in the top left corner. You could also try a Smart Stack – a collection of widgets that display the correct widget on your home screen based on factors such as your location, current activity, or the time. Easily rearrange the widgets in your Smart Stacks from the home screen with new controls.
Communicate with Translate on iPad
The Translate app is now also available on iPadOS. System-wide translation allows users to translate text even in many third-party apps. In the app, Auto Translate and face-to-face rendering improve conversation flow and make it easier to follow along. Select your text, tap Translate, then tap Replace with translation. Users can also hear the pronunciation of text in another language by selecting the text, tapping Translate, and then tapping the play button on the translation card.
Live text feature of Apple iPad
Apple’s Live Text feature allows users to extract information directly from images. It even allows users to select a phone number on the image and make a call. Use the camera directly on the keyboard by tapping in the text field and selecting the scan icon. Your keyboard then turns into a camera that you can point at the text. The Live Text understands seven different languages: English, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish.
With Visual Look Up, you can quickly learn about popular landmarks, art, plants, pets, and other objects that appear in your photos or on the web. Open a photo in the Photos app, then tap the Visual Lookup button when it appears. Tap the icon that appears in the info window or photo. For example, you will see a paw print icon for pets and animals or a leaf icon for plants and flowers.
Take notes with Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil is essentially a stylus that allows users to take notes or draw on the iPad. On iPadOS 15.2, users can also access Quick Note by swiping from the bottom left or right corner of the screen. Whether you find a recipe or a gift in Safari, you can invoke Quick Note anywhere in the system to jot down a thought. You can also add links from an app or website to create context. If you create a Quick Note on your iPad, it will also be on your iPhone and Mac. Users can tag a note with the ‘#’ symbol and a keyword and find it later in the Tag Browser. There is also a Scribble feature that converts handwritten text into typed text in real time.
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