iPadOS 18 Wishlist: Here's What We Want to See

Let's be honest, iPads are pretty much the king of tablets, especially when it comes to having a ton of apps. Even though I'm a diehard Android phone user, I have to admit there's a mix of iPads and Android tablets in my house. While Android tablets have gotten a bit better lately, they still can't quite compete with iPadOS in many ways. iPadOS 17 is already pretty awesome, and with the next update coming up in 2024, it's bound to get even better.

We don't know exactly what iPadOS 18 will bring yet, but that doesn't stop me from having a wishlist! Here's what I'd love to see, along with some rumors about what might be coming.

Even though the latest iPads are practically on par with many laptops, making them awesome for both work and fun, there's still a sense of limitation. While iPadOS has gotten more flexible over time, the home screen feels stuck in the old days.

Homescreen and Control Center redesign

The iPad has a ton of screen space, but you're stuck with how the apps are laid out. This is frustrating for people who like to organize things, like me! On my Windows computer, I have a whole row of gaming icons on the left and productivity apps on the right, which keeps things clear. An overhaul of the home screen with a customizable grid and more freedom to place apps wherever we want would be a game-changer.

The iPadOS home screen feels way too restrictive for a device that is technically capable of replacing a laptop.

The Control Center on iOS is definitely in need of an update. It would be great if it took some inspiration from the well-designed Mac Control Center, but with adjustments for easier use on a touchscreen. Another big improvement would be to make it a pop-up that runs in the background. Right now, using the Control Center completely freezes everything else on your phone, which can be really frustrating.

Stage Manager for all

It might sound like a small thing, but being able to choose where my iPad plays sound would be a big win. We use our iPad Pro for everyday stuff, mostly my kid's schoolwork and presentations.

Sometimes I connect it to a monitor, and then all the sound automatically comes out of the monitor speakers. But those speakers are terrible, all fuzzy and distorted. Ideally, I'd love to just switch the sound back to the iPad itself. I can't be the only one who wants this feature, right?

Full desktop class Safari, please!

I get that iPads, like the iPad Pro, already have what they call desktop-class apps, but I still think they can be improved. More and more people are using their iPads like actual computers, which means they need to be as versatile as possible. We need fully developed apps that truly feel like they're on par with the Mac versions. For Safari, that would mean adding support for plug-ins, more powerful file downloads, and a couple of other tweaks. This is just a rephrasing of the original paragraph using more natural language.

AI features

We're witnessing a shift in the tech landscape. After years of breakneck hardware advancements, the focus seems to be tilting towards software innovation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major player in this software revolution. Companies like Samsung and Google have already leveraged AI to improve their Android experiences, and it's likely Apple will follow suit.

Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, feels outdated when compared to more advanced offerings like Gemini and ChatGPT. Even Google Assistant arguably surpasses Siri in capabilities. Thankfully, there are signs that Apple is ready to address this. Rumors suggest a major Siri upgrade in iOS 18, potentially powered by their in-development AppleGPT. AI enhancements are also expected for the camera app, built-in apps, and potentially even the entire user interface. While it's unclear if these features will extend to iPadOS 18, it seems highly likely.

True multi-user support

The iPad Pro can definitely be a laptop replacement for some things, but it has one big drawback: you can't really have multiple user accounts. Sure, Apple offers a shared iPad mode, but that's more for schools and businesses, not everyday folks. It just seems like Apple should let you have different accounts on one iPad, especially since there's no real reason they can't.

Now, some might say it's about security, but honestly, it feels more like Apple just wants you to buy more iPads. Other tablets, like those on Android or even Amazon's Fire OS, let you have multiple users, so it's definitely possible.

iPadOS 18 expected release date

We don't know exactly when iPadOS 18 will be available, but judging by past releases, it'll likely come out around September alongside iOS 18. Don't expect to wait that long to hear about it though! Apple will probably unveil iPadOS 18 at their WWDC event this June.

Will there be an iPadOS 18 beta?

Yes, unless Apple changes its current strategy, there will be an iPadOS 18 beta. Typically, the first previews are specific to developers only and are often released shortly after WWDC. Public betas usually arrive a month or so after that.

iPadOS 18 rumored features

We don't have any concrete details on iPadOS 18 yet, but whispers around iOS 18 offer some clues. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests a significant iOS upgrade focused on artificial intelligence (AI). This could be similar to what Samsung and Google are doing, integrating AI throughout the operating system. Even though these rumors are specifically about iOS 18, it's likely Apple will bring similar AI improvements to iPadOS 18. AI seems to be the future, making its way into more and more software, with even Windows 12 rumored for an AI boost.

iPadOS 18 compatibility

There's a rumor floating around (from a seemingly reliable source on X) that Apple might be dropping support for iPads with the A10X Fusion chip in the upcoming iOS 18 update. If that's true, then iPadOS 18 would likely only work on iPads released in 2018 or later. This wouldn't be too surprising, honestly. Updating older hardware can be tricky, and newer chips are definitely better suited for the advanced features Apple might be planning, like better AI and Stage Manager. In fact, this news actually makes me more hopeful for some of the features I'd love to see, because those powerful new chips should be able to handle them without a sweat!