Apple enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of iPadOS 17, and this year’s update has not disappointed so far. Building on the foundation laid by iOS 17, iPadOS 17 was introduced at WWDC 2023 and brings a host of exciting changes to enhance the iPad experience.

One of the highlights is the interactive widgets. Gone are the days of viewing information at a glance. Users can now interact with widgets such as playing music or setting reminders directly from the Music widget without launching the respective apps. The lock screen was also redesigned following the iPhone analogy. Users can now customize the lock screen by adding widgets, assigning focus modes to certain wallpapers, and even changing the clock and text fonts.

In addition, Live Events is making its way to the iPad by providing real-time updates from apps directly from the lock screen. Users can easily follow sports scores and other updates on the lock screen even without opening any app.

Another big step forward was Apple bringing the Health app to the iPad for the first time. This app seamlessly syncs the data in the Health app with your iPhone and Apple Watch and offers standalone functions for those who don’t have other compatible devices. The Notes app gets a notable upgrade with the introduction of PDF support. Users can now annotate PDF files directly in the program, making it a more versatile tool.

iPadOS 17 also includes updates for existing features. A standout feature of iPadOS 16, Stage Manager is receiving updates that give users more flexibility when editing windows. In addition, users can use the external monitor’s camera during video calls when the iPad is connected, further expanding the functionality of the device.