At WWDC 2019, Apple has announced a brand new operating system. Called iPadOS, this is specifically designed for iPads. While built on the same foundation as iOS, iPadOS introduces features designed to make better use of the iPad hardware.

Until now, iOS has powered iPhones and iPads. However, in the future, while iOS will continue to power your iPhone, your iPad will have its own dedicated operating system. Allowing Apple to make your iPad work even better than ever.

The Best New iPadOS Features

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said, "iPadOS delivers exciting features, including a new Home screen with widgets, more powerful multitasking and new tools that make using Apple Pencil even more natural."

The new Home screen makes use of the larger screen, showing more apps on each page. You'll also be able to access widgets more quickly. Updates to Split View and Slide Over mean iPad owners will be able to work with multiple files and documents simultaneously.

There's better support for the Apple Pencil too, with Apple Pencil integrated into iPadOS. Meanwhile, improvements to the Files app adds iCloud Drive support for folder sharing, support for external drives, and Quick Actions designed to make you more productive.

The new iPadOS also introduces desktop-class browsing with Safari, improved text editing with new gestures, a floating keyboard making one-handed typing easier, custom fonts to help you create beautiful documents, and a dark mode for working in low-light conditions.

You can read more about all of the features coming to iPadOS on the Apple Newsroom. You have plenty of time to get your head around the changes, as Apple isn't releasing iPadOS until the fall. It will then be available as a free software update.

Helping You Do More With Your iPad

Apple has clearly put a lot of thought into iPadOS. OK, so it doesn't offer anything revolutionary over iOS, but it should help iPad owners do more with their devices. Which, given how many people use iPads for productive purposes, is good enough.

If you haven't yet taken the plunge and purchased an iPad, perhaps iPadOS is the push you need. In which case, you should read our iPad buying guide. After all, there are so many different options available that choosing one can be difficult.