iPadOS 18 brings native Calculator app, new personalization features and Apple Intelligence

It only took 14 years, but Apple finally announced a native calculator app for iPad. And if you have an Apple Pencil handy it will even do Math Notes – allowing you to write complicated equations and get real-time solutions. It even supports variables and updates results when you change inputs. All of the Math Notes features are also supported in the Notes app.

Speaking of, Notes gets SmartScript - a neat feature that refines your handwriting with machine learning, making it more legible while still maintaining the handwritten style.

Apple is bringing a new floating tab bar – which sits on the top of your apps as a shortcut and morphs into the sidebar. This will be available as an API for developers and allows for contextual menus inside apps, easier navigation, and the ability to search documents.

The home screen and app personalization options and updated Photos app from iOS 18 are also coming to iPadOS 18 as is Apple Intelligence for iPads with the M1 chip or newer. Apple's new AI features include notification prioritization, the ability to summarize information, image creation, and an updated Siri assistant.

iPadOS 18's developer beta is launching today, the public beta is coming next month while the final version is coming this fall.