Skip to main content

Apple announces iPadOS 14: new widgets, redesigned apps, handwriting recognition, revamped universal search

Apple announces iPadOS 14, building on the already announced iOS 14 features like home screen widgets. Apple is expanding stock apps with unique iPad design elements like sidebars in Photos and Music. Interfaces like Siri and incoming phone calls are now modal experiences rather than full screen overlays.

There is also a new search experience, system-wide handwriting recognition, and other changes designed to make the iPad experience work better with Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard.

With iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple has overhauled the widgets experience with new sizes and layouts. And for the first time, you can drag widgets to place them in between your app icons.

Apple has improved Spotlight Search to mirror the Mac experience, with a non-modal search field that floats in the middle of the screen. You can use a connected keyboard to quickly launch apps or actions.

For Apple Pencil, Apple is bringing Scribble to iPad. This means users can simply write in any text field and it will be converted to text automatically. Handwriting recognition supports the same kind of text selection gestures you get with typed characters; double tap to select a word for instance. You can copy handwriting and paste into a normal text field, as text. You will also be able to roughly draw shapes and have the iPad automatically create defined polygons.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

MacStadium macOS VM
You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications