(Video can be found here)
After trying out macOS Tahoe and being largely impressed with what I found, I couldn’t wait to get started on iPadOS 26. Now this one was slightly more difficult for me as met spare iPads have pretty much found their way to the girls over the last couple of years, meaning it was a case of using my production iPad, or bust.
So I figured now was the time to be just a little bit irresponsible, and I decided to go for it. Any videos for ScreenCastsONLINE that need to be done on iPad between now and September will simply be done using the beta. I’m sure I’ll be forgiven for this.
macOS Tahoe is working well in testing, so am I as happy with iPadOS 26? Well, the answer is both a Yes and No. I’m happy, because the multitasking capabilities it’s given me are fantastic. No question, being able to use a menu bar, resize multiple windows on the fly and use the traffic light buttons in the top left hand corner of the window feels like I”m flying when I’m using it - which is amazing given how long it’s just been the way of working on any laptop since I left school. Why has it taken so long? I’m quite keen to say ‘Who cares” because I”m just happy to see it now.
The traffic lights are particularly pleasing as I don’t actually use them on macOS - well, extremely rarely anyway. I use Moom by Many Tricks with keyboard shortcuts for moving windows so it’s not often I need to navigate to the corner like a caveman, however with no window management tools like this on iPadOS it’s actually reminded me that the macOS built-in ones are really good for all users.
When it comes to the points that need improvement - it’s clear that this is still a Development Beta. An early one at that, so these are in no way complaints as I know they will be improved moving forward. Some of the menus are trying too hard with the glass effect and need to be toned down. A good example is the sidebar in Music which can be a little tricky to see properly when there are tiles below with any degree of colour. I think I prefer a more solid sidebar if it’s on show. Also when using the new menu bar (which is amazing might I add) the same can be said when the menus overlay particularly dense content below. This is purely a kink that will be worked out I’m sure, as is the occasional crashing which always comes.
Also, I guess maybe I’m a little unhappy that I may be changing some of my workflows to incorporate this (now) wonderful device! So often used for media and as a sidecar-style additional display, I could genuinely rest my MacBook Pro at times now when at home and use the iPad Pro instead. I just need to ascertain which tasks it may now be best for. I guess this can only be a good thing and it might be nice to be sat on the couch with the iPad now in the evenings when I’m catching up rather than the MacBook Pro.
For a short video on my thoughts where I show off some of the multitasking capabilities, check here on our ScreenCastsONLINE YouTube Channel or watch below