iPadOS 26 Guide: Productivity Tips and Hidden Features

Apple's latest OS update introduces a robust windowing system, deep ChatGPT integration, and dedicated gaming hubs. We break down the technical utility for UAE users.

iPad Pro being used as a laptop. Photo by Daniel Romero / Unsplash

Windowing Overhaul: New flick gestures and multi-instance support allow for more desktop-like multitasking.
Apple Intelligence: ChatGPT is now integrated directly into Siri and system-wide Writing Tools.
Pencil Enhancements: Features like Image Wand and squeeze shortcuts for the Apple Pencil Pro expand creative utility.
Gaming Focus: A dedicated Apple Games app and Game Mode aim to improve sustained performance.
Free Update: Available immediately for compatible iPad models.

Features & Performance

iPadOS 26 introduces structural changes to interface management and system-wide intelligence rather than purely aesthetic updates. The most significant technical shift is the re-engineered windowing system. Users can now resize app windows fluidly and place them arbitrarily on the screen, moving away from the rigid split-view constraints of previous versions. New flick gestures allow users to push apps to the edge for side-by-side viewing or flick upwards for full screen.

For heavy multitaskers, the ability to open multiple instances of the same app—such as two Safari windows or distinct Mail drafts—brings the iPad closer to Mac functionality. The Slide Over mechanic has also been refined, allowing a window to stay persistent on top of others or be tucked off-screen for later retrieval.

Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT: Apple has integrated ChatGPT directly into the OS. This allows Siri to handle more complex queries and powers the new Writing Tools, which can proofread, rewrite, or summarize text. This mirrors the industry trend of embedding AI into consumer hardware, similar to how Oakley and Meta are merging AI with wearables. In the Notes app, the new Image Wand feature lets users circle a rough sketch or empty space to generate context-aware imagery, leveraging on-device processing.

Apple Pencil Utility: New inputs have been added for the Apple Pencil Pro. Users can squeeze the stylus to trigger shortcuts, such as launching a Quick Note or a Voice Memo. The update also introduces a "reed pen" tool for calligraphy and improves shape recognition, automatically correcting imperfectly drawn lines and arcs into geometric primitives.

Gaming and Continuity: Recognising the device's role in entertainment, Apple has launched a dedicated Apple Games app to centralise game management and settings. While the broader gaming industry focuses on major console developments like the rumoured MachineGames Wolfenstein project or upcoming Starcraft shooters, Apple is optimising the tablet for local performance via Game Mode and Personalised Spatial Audio to reduce latency and improve immersion.

Continuity features remain a strong suit. Universal Control allows a single Mac keyboard and trackpad to control an adjacent iPad, while Sidecar continues to function as a secondary display solution.

The Verdict: With iPadOS 26, the iPad is almost a laptop...almost

iPadOS 26 represents a functional maturation of the tablet platform, specifically addressing long-standing complaints regarding file management and multitasking. For the UAE creative or mobile professional, the ability to open multiple instances of the same app and the freeform windowing system finally breaks the "mobile OS" shackles that limited previous iterations. The integration of ChatGPT and Apple Intelligence adds genuine utility to daily workflows without requiring third-party subscriptions.

However, users should manage expectations regarding the "laptop replacement" narrative. While the gap has narrowed significantly with features like Universal Control and better external display support via Sidecar, the file system still operates within the sandbox of iPadOS.

This update makes the iPad a significantly more capable primary device for writers, illustrators, and managers, but those requiring unrestricted file access or specialised desktop software may still find themselves reaching for a MacBook. For existing iPad owners, this is an essential update that maximises the hardware's potential.

FAQs

Is iPadOS 26 available for download in the UAE?

Yes, the update is available globally, including the UAE. Users can check for the update immediately by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on their device.

Which features require the Apple Pencil Pro?

The squeeze gesture shortcuts are exclusive to the Apple Pencil Pro hardware. However, other features like shape recognition, the new reed pen tool, and Lock Screen Quick Notes work with standard compatible Apple Pencils.

How does the new windowing system improve multitasking?

It moves away from rigid grid layouts. You can now resize windows freely, overlap them, and open multiple distinct windows of the same application (like two separate Word documents) simultaneously, similar to a desktop OS experience.

Does Apple Intelligence require an internet connection?

While many on-device features run locally for privacy, the ChatGPT integration within Siri and complex queries in Writing Tools generally require an active internet connection to process data via the cloud.