This years iPadOS 15 could revolutionize the iPad.
Its a shame, because widgets could bring so much more to the iPads big screen.
But that shows a lack of imagination.
Dennis Brendel / Unsplash
Why settle for copying the iPhones widgets?
In fact, why not redesign the iPads home screen completely?
The iPad is still essentially a big iPhone.
Heres a concept video fromtech writer Matt Birchler:
These days, the iPad shares more with the Mac.
So, what kinds of changes might we hope for?
That might be wishful thinking, but widgets could replace many of the desktops features.
“Widgets can greatly increase the utility of an iPad,” says Freiberger.
Perhaps a Files app widget would let you place arbitrary files and folders onto the home screen?
A Twitter widget, for example, could update in real time, right there on your home screen.
With all this added functionality, it would be a shame to hide it whenever you launch an app.
Better still, allow iPad apps to run in resizable windows.
For example, the iPhone widget for podcast app Castro shows the next three podcasts in your queue.
you’ve got the option to tap any of them, and it will play.
Imagine using the Apple Pencil to sketch or take notes in a widget, or typing a note.
This expanded input range makes sense for the Mac, too.
Widgets already run on the Mac, but theyre no more functional than iPhone widgets.
