In 2010 Steve Jobs unveiled the company’s first tablet. As only Jobs could do, he captivated the audience as he tapped and swiped between screens, watched a YouTube video, and browsed the iTunes store.
It was clear from what Jobs had shown critics that day that the iPad created a new class of consumer-friendly tablets, but even though users spent hundreds of dollars on the device many were unhappy with its multitasking features.
With the release of iOS 9, Apple (AAPL) is turning the page on the iPad’s story by adding powerful new features and a redesigned on-screen keyboard to the device. After testing out Apple’s new operating system it’s clear there’s still more work that needs to be done, but definitely worth the upgrade.
One of the most obvious changes is a new feature called Slide Over, which allows you to temporarily slide between two apps at one time. In order to access the Slide Over tool users simply have to open slide their finger over to the right edge of the iPad’s screen where a narrow column will appear. Tap on the desired app and it will appear atop the app you’re currently in.
I often used slide over to quickly view my schedule, found in the calendar app, and send meeting requests while using Mail.
Taking the concept of slide over one-step further is another new feature called Split View. For the first time iPad users will have the ability to run two apps on screen at the same time. Unlike slide over, users can interact with both apps simultaneously, and also adjust the amount of screen real estate each one takes up.
The Split view feature was displayed onstage at Apple’s Sept. 9 event to demonstrate how users can work with both Word and Excel document concurrently, sharing content between the two applications. I used it on numerous occasions to conduct research in Safari while writing a story in the Notes app. I wasn’t forced to bounce between apps; I could gather the necessary facts and incorporate them with ease.
Unfortunately, sharing content between the two apps isn’t easy and has to be done through copy and paste. Adding a drag-and-drop method, where users could add photos to a Word document from another app, or attaching a PowerPoint presentation to an email seems like a natural fit, alleviating unnecessary steps in the process.
Additionally, as more apps are updated and released for iOS 9, in turn, polluting the column of apps you can choose from, the feature will become harder to use. Right now, iOS 9 lacks a method for removing apps or reorganizing the order in which apps are displayed, which is a frustrating omission.
A new powerful picture-in-picture feature makes it possible to continue watching videos or conducting FaceTime video calls. Users can, for example, watch a movie while browsing Facebook or Twitter. The video player is adjustable in size and can be placed in any corner of the screen.
Slide over and picture-in-picture will work on the iPad Pro, both iPad Air models, as well as the iPad Mini 2 and newer devices. Split-view is limited to the iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4, and the iPad Pro.
Apple also updated the iPad’s virtual keyboard, adding trackpad-like functionality to the device. As you enter text, you can place two fingers on the keyboard in order to activate the new feature. When active, you drag your fingers across the keyboard to move the cursor. A quick double-tap of two fingers on the screen will highlight the nearest word, and continue highlighting until you lift your fingers off the screen.
Editing big blocks of text used to be a laborious process, requiring multiple taps, but the new trackpad functionality simplifies this process. At present, my only complaint is that it’s not available across the company’s entire iPhone lineup; only the iPhone 6s will have it thanks to 3D Touch.
There’s still a lot of work to be done, but overall, the iPad’s new operating system is a step in the right direction. It makes sense for iOS 9 to introduce the new features now, rather than wait for the iPad Pro to become available. Users can put the iPad’s multitasking prowess to the test over the next two months. Armed with knowledge gained from the experience, consumers can then decide if an iPad Pro is worth purchasing.
The iPad is finally growing up—both in size, and feature set. As someone who had already incorporated the iPad, before iOS 9 existed, into my daily work routine, I’m excited to see what the future holds.
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