Apple is finally giving some overdue love to iPad users. The company has launched a new operating system optimized for the iconic tablet lineup. Riding the iOS 13’s hype train, the new iPadOS comes with oodles of optimization and convenience features for the tablet user. The whole update list is far too long to get through. To make things simpler, here are the top five new features that rocked our socks off.

Slide Over

Multitasking just got so much easier. Gone are the days when you have to go through dozens and dozens of windows to get to another task. Slide Over is like a tiny window for all your favorite apps. You can easily switch between apps while keeping the others running in the background.

Widgets and more apps on the home screen

Before this update, the iPad’s home screen was a jumbled mess for apps. Newly installed apps would just pile on into dozens of pages. Before you knew it, you were overwhelmed. iPadOS optimizes your home screen for much more apps space. Also, the home screen can now house widgets in one screen. It’s a blessing for organization freaks!

An adjustable, one-handed keyboard

Tap-tap-tap. That’s the unsatisfying sound your on-screen keyboard makes. It’s not the pleasant clickety-clack of a normal keyboard. Tablet screens are just not meant for normal typing. Thankfully, iPadOS is bringing the wonders of mobile typing on the tablet. Firstly, you can shrink the keyboard for one-handed use. Secondly, the keyboard is now compatible with swipe typing.

Better file management

The iPad is a notorious labyrinth for file organization. Most of the time, you don’t know where one thing ends and the other begins. iPadOS will remedy that with a new file manager. You now have better control over your iPad’s internal storage. On a similar note, the iPad can now connect to external storage devices like hard drives and USB sticks.

Dark Mode

Black is so in right now. If your device doesn’t have dark mode, you’re missing out. Finally, the iPad is joining the dark mode parade.

On a performance level, the iPadOS promises up to twice as much power as previous operating systems. The new operating system is compatible with the iPad Pro, the iPad (5^th generation and later), the iPad mini 4 and 5, and the iPad Air 2 and 3.

SEE ALSO: Apple unveils 7th generation iPad

Not too long ago, tablets terrorized concerts and recitals worldwide. Giddy concertgoers and excited moms used these gigantic devices to record whatever was happening on the stage. Do you remember having your view blocked by one of these things? If you do, you’ll love Apple’s latest leak.

Posted by renowned leaker Sonny Dickson, the leak supposedly depicts an upcoming iPad Pro model. Notably, despite the regular version’s appearance, the premium tablet was absent from Apple’s latest event. Apparently, Apple is still hiding the device up its sleeves.

If the leak holds true, the new iPad Pro will follow in the iPhone 11’s controversial footsteps. Like the smartphone, the tablet will carry the same square camera setup. As you might expect, the setup also houses three cameras. Strangely, the leaked iPad doesn’t have a glass cover for the camera setup.

Image source: Sonny Dickson

Regardless, given this setup, the iPad Pro will likely focus on camera performance. For reference, the newly announced 7^th-generation iPad still has a lackluster 8-megapixel rear camera. If true, the upcoming iPad Pro is a huge departure from its predecessors. Apple wants to resurrect tablet photography once again.

According to the leak, the upcoming model will launch sometime in October. Of course, leaks are leaks. Apple is likely hiding some features until the official announcement.

Still, who wants to bring back tablet photography again?

SEE ALSO: Apple: New iPad Pro is ‘tighter than previous generations’

Aside from the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, Apple also unveiled a refresh to its iPad line. The new 7^th generation iPad packs a larger display, a slightly powerful processor, and a refreshed design incorporating the Smart connector for accessories.

iPad 7th Gen Specs

The new iPad packs a larger display measuring 10.2 inch. It’s an LCD Retina display with a 2160 x 1620 resolution and DCI-P3 color gamut support. As such, the new iPad enables a more immersive viewing experience — perfect for streaming Apple TV+ or Netflix shows.

Along with an immersive viewing experience, the new iPad also packs a slightly more powerful processor in the form of A10 Fusion chip. This three-year old chip first debuted in the iPhone 7, but its performance should still hold up against the competition.

And for the first time ever, the new iPad incorporates a Smart connector. Apple’s proprietary Smart connector is used for connecting its Folio keyboard, so users can use it like a compact laptop. The 1st generation Apple Pencil is also supported, which is great for users who rely on sketch or note-taking apps for their workflow.

Elsewhere, the new iPad retains the Touch ID for authentication. It also has slightly outdated cameras, with an 8MP camera on the rear and a measly 1.2MP camera on the front.

Apple is also touting the new iPad’s battery life, claiming that it can lasts up to 10 hours. However, battery life may vary depending on its usage.

Last but not the least, Apple is also touting that its new iPad being made from 100% recycled aluminum. This is not the first Apple device made from recycled aluminum, as Apple claims that its Macbook Air is also made from recycled aluminum.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing starts at US$329 for the 32GB model. Meanwhile, the 128GB model starts at US$429. It is now available to pre-order in US, with more markets to follow later.

The new iPad is a decent tablet at an affordable price due to its larger display and a slightly improved processor. It is also the perfect choice for those buying an iPad that don’t need the powerful performance of the iPad Pro but also don’t want the small screen of the iPad Mini. However, those who don’t mind buying an Android tablet can snag a more affordable tablet with the likes of Samsung Galaxy Tab A and the Huawei MediaPad M5.

Apple Event: iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | Apple Watch Series 5 | iPad 7th Gen