After a 14-year-long wait, Apple has finally announced the arrival of the Calculator app for iPad as part of its upcoming iPadOS 18. Since the iPad’s introduction in 2010, users have constantly requested a built-in calculator, which has been a staple on iPhones since the beginning. The absence of the Calculator on the iPad has, in some cases, restricted its full capabilities, given that it is a productivity tool for many users, especially students. So, while the Calculator app may seem like a minor addition at first glance, especially for Android users, Apple’s decision to bring it to the iPad ecosystem is a big deal. Given the long wait, Apple has also ensured that the Calculator app offers more than just basic calculations.

So, what exactly is the difference? Well, Apple is making the iPad’s Calculator app unique through its new AI features and integration with Apple Pencil through a feature called Math Notes. So now the iPad will not only allow users to use a regular calculator but will also allow users to write mathematical problems directly on the screen, which the app can solve in real-time.

iPad calculator can solve handwritten equations

The new Calculator app on the iPad has the ability to solve handwritten equations, offering a seamless and intuitive way to handle calculations. This will make the iPad useful for students, teachers, and professionals. According to Apple, this feature takes advantage of the iPad’s touch and stylus capabilities, providing an experience that traditional calculators and even the iPhone’s Calculator app can’t match.

much more than a mathematical calculation

In addition to basic arithmetic, the Calculator app on iPadOS 18 also includes scientific functions, graphing capabilities, and unit conversions. Users can type or write equations, assign values ​​to variables, and view their calculations on a graph. This makes the Calculator app not only a tool for simple math, but also useful for solving more complex mathematical and scientific tasks. Additionally, the app’s History function allows users to track past calculations, ensuring that important data is easily accessible.

To make the app more interactive and merge with the app ecosystem, Apple is automatically linking the new Math Notes feature with the Notes app, organizing all calculations in a dedicated Math Notes folder. This integration aims to allow users to keep all their mathematical notes and solutions in one place. Additionally, Apple has also added a new Smart Script feature in iPadOS 18 to further enhance the readability of handwritten notes, making it easier to organize and review mathematical work.

Notably, the new Calculator app on iPad is part of Apple’s wider iPadOS 18 update, which brings a number of new features and enhancements. The update includes more ways to customise the Home screen and Control Centre, a redesigned Photos app, and new messaging features. Apple has also introduced its artificial intelligence-powered Apple Intelligence, a new personal intelligence system that integrates deeply with the OS, boosting productivity by using generative models to understand and act on user input.

Overall, the inclusion of the Calculator app in the iPad is more than just fulfilling user requests. This tool has been developed to make the iPad a more comprehensive and versatile device. By addressing a long-standing shortcoming and enhancing it with innovative features like Math Notes, Apple is positioning the iPad as an even more capable tool for education and business use.