Apple chose WWDC 2025 to convey a significant message: Its ecosystem required a major overhaul. The company began this transformation with the most visible aspects, such as design, and extended it to more foundational elements, including the naming convention of its operating systems.

A Total Redesign: The Future of the Apple Ecosystem

Apple introduced Liquid Glass, a new translucent design that reflects and refracts the environment, providing real-time visual depth.

• This redesign applies to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, featuring new icons, floating controls, and adaptive navigation bars.
• Lock screens, desktops, Docks, and key interfaces (including Camera, Safari, and Apple Music) now offer a revamped and more consistent user experience.

iOS 26: Design Takes Center Stage

iOS 26 combines a visual redesign with integrated AI features.

• Apple Intelligence enables real-time message translation, event suggestions, and visual content creation through Genmoji and Image Playground.
• The Phone and Messages apps have been updated to enhance spam detection, call waiting management, and include AI-suggested polls.
• CarPlay improves its interface by adding pinned conversations, widgets, and a compact view for calls.
• Apple Music features lyrics translation, automatic mixes, and personalized music suggestions.

Apple Games: The New Hub for Gaming Across the Entire Ecosystem

Apple also introduced the new Apple Games app, dedicated to enhancing the gaming experience with social features, organized catalogs, and connections to Apple Arcade.

• This app consolidates all games installed on the user’s devices, whether they’re games on the iPhone, Apple Arcade games, or Game Center games.
• It offers quick access to recent games, scores, achievements, and active events.
• It features social elements such as shared rankings, friend challenges, and progress tracking.
• It’s available on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and visionOS 26, with designs tailored for each platform.
• On macOS and visionOS, it includes Game Porting Toolkit 2, offering enhancements for developers looking to adapt games for Apple Silicon.

watchOS 26: Smart Motivation and Enhanced Control from Your Wrist

With watchOS 26, users can expect improvements in personalization, smart features, and convenience, particularly for training, communication, and daily management.

• Workout Buddy uses Apple Intelligence to provide motivational messages during workouts.
• The Workout app has been completely redesigned, now offering music suggestions tailored to the type of exercise.
• Real-time translation is available in the Messages app, along with new conversation backgrounds that sync with your iPhone.
• A new wrist flick gesture allows users to dismiss notifications without needing to touch the screen.
• Additional updates include enhancements to the Notes app, accessibility features, and improvements within the Phone app.

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iPadOS 26: Windows That Bring You Closer to the Mac

iPadOS 26 elevates productivity with enhancements that create a more desktop-like experience.

• Windows can now be freely resized and positioned anywhere on the screen, similar to macOS.
• Stage Manager has become more flexible, allowing greater control over the size and position of open apps.
• New keyboard shortcuts enable easy switching between windows or adjusting them without needing to touch the screen.
• Apps will remember their layout when reopened, facilitating more complex and sustained workflows.

macOS Tahoe 26: A System That Aims for Customization

macOS Tahoe 26 introduces a clearer interface, system-wide distributed intelligence, and a strong focus on gaming.

• The Phone app is now available on the Mac, featuring Call Screening and Hold Assist via Continuity.
• Spotlight has been redesigned for more efficient actions, shortcuts, and content searches.
• Apple Intelligence powers Shortcuts, supports real-time translation, and enables automation of complex tasks.
• The new Apple Games app organizes users’ game catalogs and allows for seamless gameplay with Game Overlay.
• Updates for Safari, Messages, FaceTime, and Photos include visual improvements, new features, and enhanced content control.

visionOS 26: One Step Closer to Fluid Mixed Reality

The Vision Pro system continues to improve, focusing on navigation, performance, and sharing.

• Users can now pin apps in space, allowing them to pick up right where they left off, even when the device is turned off.
• The Personas feature has been added to SharePlay, allowing users to see realistic avatars of other participants during shared sessions.
• A new Travel Mode adapts the Vision Pro experience for use on trains and in moving environments.
• visionOS 26 introduces simpler and more precise gestures for controlling the interface, reducing the need for excessive head or hand movements.
• Apple has added support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, opening up new options for gaming with haptic control and motion tracking.

The Logitech Muse is now an official accessory, enabling accurate data entry in spatial environments and collaboration in apps like Spatial Analogue.

Images | Apple

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The case began six years ago when a group of people tried to kill Paul Allen, an ex-convict with a lengthy criminal record. In 2006, he took part in the robbery of a Securitas depot, one of the biggest heists in British history.

The London police had been working on a very complex investigation for six years, including a shooting they couldn’t quite figure out. But it all came to a head at the end of November last year when the police unexpectedly found an iPad at the bottom of the Thames using a metal detector.

At first glance, it may not have seemed particularly valuable. However, after examining it, they discovered that the SIM card inside could be crucial. After reviewing its contents, they realized the SIM card could be the key to solving the case that had been open for years.

After serving his sentence, Allen seemed to have reintegrated into society—until he was shot in his kitchen. The case stalled with no evidence and no clear suspects. Everything changed with the appearance of the iPad, which connected the dots.

The iPad and a SIM Card That Changed Everything

According to The Washington Post, the iPad had been submerged for more than five years, covered in mud and completely unusable. However, the police were able to recover and analyze its SIM card.

Thanks to this card, police discovered that Allen was being followed by three men: Louis Ahearne, Stewart Ahearne, and Daniel Kelly. The device contained information from a tracker installed in Allen’s car, travel coordinates, and communication records, making it possible to reconstruct the steps and surveillance leading up to the attack.

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Using the coordinates extracted from the iPad, officers consulted security cameras on the streets of London. This confirmed that the attackers had systematically followed him. The prosecutor in the case was emphatic in his assessment:

“[They] acted together in a well-planned and orchestrated manner to shoot their victim.”

But that wasn’t all.

Using this information, investigators were able to link the suspects to another international crime: the theft of two Ming Dynasty vases from the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva, Switzerland. The patterns of movement, logistics, and even the vehicle used—a rented Renault Captur—all matched.

The discovery led to the Ahearnes’ extradition to Switzerland, where they were sentenced to three and a half years in prison, fined $60,000, and banned from reentering the country.

Detective Matt Webb, who led the investigation, said he knew one of the suspects had stopped near the river after the shooting, but the reason was unclear. It’s now known that he disposed of the iPad by throwing it into the Thames to destroy key evidence.

All police knew at the time was that they had stopped the car on John Harrison Way and that Kelly had gotten out—but nothing more. They didn’t know where he went or what had happened.

What appeared to be a simple device forgotten underwater became the key to solving two major criminal cases. In a story worthy of a movie, an iPad that had been submerged for years exposed a trio of criminals and closed a six-year investigation.

Image | Xataka On with Grok

Related | New Apple iPad (2025): It Has More Power and Storage, but the Real Surprise Is Its Price

Apple has just unveiled the new iPad Air with the M3 chip, but it hasn’t forgotten about the standard iPad. While the updates aren’t groundbreaking, Apple has made key improvements in two critical areas: performance and storage.

The iPad (2025) now features a more powerful processor and increased memory, giving users more flexibility. However, it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. The biggest surprise? A significantly lower price.

iPad (2025) Specs

Spot the Differences

The new iPad retains the same design as its predecessor, though Apple has slightly reduced the bezels. As a result, the screen has grown from 10.9 inches to 11 inches.

The change is minor, but it’s there. Dimensions, weight, and color options remain unchanged, sticking with Apple’s signature tones for its entry-level devices.

There are no updates to the display’s brightness or resolution, nor to the cameras. However, two key areas have improved: the processor and storage.

The device upgrades from the Apple A14 Bionic chip to the Apple A16, a much more powerful processor that enhances overall performance. Storage capacity has also increased. The base model now starts at 128 GB—double the previous 64 GB—while additional options include 256 GB and 512 GB.

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The iPad (2025) runs iPadOS 18, but it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence.

Despite the hardware improvements, the new iPad (2025) launches at a significantly lower price than its predecessor. When Apple introduced the 2022 iPad, it started at 64 GB and cost $449. Now, the 128 GB model debuts at just $349—an impressive reduction.

Connectivity remains unchanged, with an optional LTE version available. However, opting for LTE will cost an additional $150.

The new processor enables support for Bluetooth 5.3, and the iPad still includes a Touch ID sensor on the top button.

The iPad (2025) is also compatible with the Apple Pencil (USB-C and first generation) and can be paired with the Magic Keyboard Folio, an optional accessory that includes both a keyboard and trackpad.

iPad (2025) Pricing and Availability

The new Apple iPad (2025) is now available for pre-order and will be in stores March 12. It comes in blue, pink, yellow, and silver. Prices are as follows:

Images | Apple

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Without much noise or fanfare, Apple has introduced not one but two new iPads: the iPad (2025) with the Apple A16 processor and the iPad Air with the M3 chip, the focus of this article. There are no major design changes—the iPad is a well-refined device—so the most relevant improvement lies in the new processor and its impact on performance and AI.

The device will be available March 12, with the same starting price as the iPad Air with M2: $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look.

iPad Air (2025) Specs

Same Design, Upgraded Internals

Externally, it’s identical to last year’s model. The size, screen, and weight remain unchanged. It’s a tablet available in two sizes (11 and 13 inches) and is just 6.1 millimeters thick. The back is minimalistic and clean, as Apple users have come to expect.

Apple has stuck with what has worked well for the display. The panels measure 11 and 13 inches, with resolutions of 2,360 x 1,640 pixels and 2,732 x 2,048 pixels, respectively, and still run at 60 Hz. The key highlight is compatibility with the Apple Pencil, both standard and Pro, as well as the new Magic Keyboard.

A More Powerful Engine

The real change is inside. Apple has a clear target audience for this tablet: users with an iPad Air powered by the M1 chip, especially those still using an A14-equipped model. The M3 chip is twice as fast as the M1 and up to three times faster than the A14.

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The M3 features an eight-core CPU (four performance and four efficiency), a nine-core GPU, and, most notably, a 16-core neural processing unit (NPU). The NPU handles AI tasks, a key element in the era of Apple Intelligence. The M3 chip also introduces a new graphics architecture that significantly enhances gaming performance.

According to Apple, the M3’s neural engine is 60 times more powerful than the one in the M1—something to keep in mind for AI-based tasks or low workloads. Otherwise, the iPad’s AI leverages familiar Apple Intelligence features, such as photo editing, emoji generation, and typing assistance.

The battery capacity remains the same as in previous models, but thanks to the efficiency of the new processor, battery life should be similar or slightly longer. Charging is via USB-C, which has become standard across Apple devices.

iPad Air (2025) Pricing and Availability

The iPad Air with the M3 chip will be available March 12. The 11-inch model starts at $599, while the 13-inch model starts at $799. As always, the final price will vary based on storage capacity.

Images | Apple

Related | Apple ProMotion: What Is It, and What Improvements This 120 Hz Display Technology Brings to the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook

Apple introduced ProMotion technology on some devices in 2021. Since then, it has been incorporated into the latest iPhones, iPads, and even some MacBook models.

ProMotion is one of those display technologies that’s more noticed than explained. It’s tied to the display’s refresh rate. When Apple increased the refresh rate of its displays from 60 Hz to 120 Hz, it introduced a system of technologies under the ProMotion name, setting itself apart from the competition—even though the underlying concept isn’t very different.

What’s Apple ProMotion?

ProMotion is Apple’s name for technologies that allow its devices’ screens to achieve higher refresh rates. Years after its competitors, Apple increased the refresh rate of its devices from 60 to 120 frames per second (FPS).

Apple is known for marketing its products strategically. When it introduces a significant feature—whether or not it mirrors the competition—it brands it with a unique name. This approach often makes the feature appear exclusive, even if it performs similarly to competing technologies. A good example is Journal, Apple’s new app that aims to help you reflect on your everyday life and special moments.

Until 2021, Apple devices were locked to a 60 Hz refresh rate, even though many competing devices had already moved beyond it. ProMotion changed this by doubling the refresh rate, leading to a significantly smoother experience when navigating the interface or playing games.

Unlike many competitors, Apple’s ProMotion doesn’t lock the refresh rate at 120 Hz. Instead, it adapts dynamically based on the system’s needs.

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Devices with ProMotion adjust their refresh rate according to the content. For instance, when watching a video, a 30 or 60 FPS rate suffices, so increasing it isn’t necessary. However, when using an app or game that benefits from higher refresh rates, the iPad or iPhone increases the rate accordingly.

Higher refresh rates can consume more battery power, but ProMotion’s adaptive feature helps conserve energy. In iOS, users can also disable ProMotion to prioritize battery life.

What Apple ProMotion Improves

Refresh rate refers to how often a screen refreshes its content per second. A higher refresh rate creates smoother motion by increasing the continuity of movement and visual information.

This impacts every aspect of the display. A higher refresh rate makes images appear more fluid, creating an immediate and seamless experience. In the operating system, this translates to faster interactions with less lag, improving the overall user experience.

How noticeable the change is depends on your prior device. If you’re already using a third-party device with a 120 Hz display, you might not see much difference. But if you’re coming from a 60 Hz device, the improvement will feel dramatic.

It’s similar to watching online videos. On platforms like YouTube, some videos appear smoother and more lifelike due to higher refresh rates, while older or standard videos might not feel as fluid.

Apple ProMotion is available on iPad Pro models from 2021 and later, iPhones introduced that year, and some MacBook Pro models. If you have a recent Apple device, it likely supports this technology.

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I’ve always loved the iPad—not just because I’ve always wanted one, but because I’ve always wanted to make it an important part of my life. However, this isn’t the case today, given that I only use it for entertainment on the go or for watching soccer matches without monopolizing the TV at home. I wish it could be more than that.

Since the launch of the M4 iPad Pro, and with little hope that iPadOS 18 would bring significant changes (spoiler: it didn’t), I’ve been considering using it as my primary computer, replacing my 2021 MacBook Pro.

A Look to the Future

When you take the iPad Pro out of its box, it’s truly impressive. Whether you’re an Apple fan or not, it’s hard to deny the impact of seeing such a thin device at just 0.21 inches thick. Its design is simply flawless. Some highlights:

• Incredibly thin and light
• A stunning 13-inch OLED screen
• M4 chip, the same one that next-generation Macs will use
• A front camera on the long side, which is perfect for video calls

Image: Xataka

I attached the Magic Keyboard and saw what looks like the MacBook of the future: a large touchscreen, a detachable keyboard for when you don’t need it, and the power of a Mac in an ultra-portable form factor.

Where the iPad Stands Out

There are tasks where the iPad not only equals but also surpasses my MacBook:

1. Multimedia consumption: Watching shows and movies, reading articles, or watching sports is a fantastic experience. The OLED screen and the ability to use it as a tablet make it unbeatable.

2. Note-taking and brainstorming: With the Apple Pencil Pro, apps like Freeform or Goodnotes have become very powerful tools. Drawing, sketching, or jotting down ideas is very satisfying.

3. Photo editing: With Pixelmator Photo (or equivalents like Affinity Photo), I was able to take full advantage of the touchscreen and Pencil, making editing more precise. Plus, the OLED panel is very pleasing.

4. Video calling: The new camera position and Center Stage feature, which keeps you centered even if you move, improves video calls.

5. Extreme portability: Taking the iPad Pro to a coffee shop, to any mobile support, or even using it on the couch is more comfortable and versatile than a traditional laptop.

One detail I particularly appreciate about the Magic Keyboard is its additional USB-C connector, which is only for charging. It frees up the iPad’s only port and allows the charging cable to sit at table height, not elevated. | Image: Xataka

Where the iPad Falls Short

As time passed, however, I began to encounter several limitations:

1. File management: While the native Files app is functional, it falls far short of macOS. It has limited capabilities for using external drives and organizing large numbers of files.

2. Multitasking: Although Stage Manager improved multitasking, it still isn’t as smooth as macOS. Managing multiple windows and apps simultaneously isn’t as intuitive or fluid.

3. Software compatibility: Professional apps on iPad OS are either non-existent or limited compared to their desktop versions.

4. Customization and advanced capabilities: Due to system restrictions similar to those of iOS, iPadOS lacks the small utilities found in macOS, such as the context menu, menu bar, and background processes.

For instance, I use the Paste app to expand my clipboard’s memory so that I don’t lose anything I’ve copied or quickly find something I copied a few days ago. However, this kind of app isn’t available for the iPad. Windows, on the other hand, includes a similar native feature.

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The Elephant in the Room: iPadOS

The iPad Pro has an incredible design and excellent hardware. It’s thin, powerful, and versatile, featuring the same M4 chip that will be used in many upcoming Macs.

Additionally, the detachable keyboard and large touchscreen add to its versatility. This makes it a pleasure to use… until you start needing more advanced capabilities.

You’ll then realize that the iPadOS, while improved, is still an operating system originally designed for tablets and inherited from mobile devices rather than being designed from scratch for professional productivity computers.

The Surface Pro leads the way with the same versatility but much more complete productivity. Approaching the iPad Pro as a productive device is futile without a desktop operating system or an iPadOS unchained from its atavistic limitations. With shortcomings and frustrations, the work is geared towards enabling the process, not the outcome.

As a result, I’ve felt that I have far more desire to turn the iPad Pro into my computer than the iPad’s actual ability to fulfill that role.

So Close, Yet So Far

My experience has been bittersweet, although a bit more bitter than sweet.

The iPad Pro is an incredible device that can surely replace many users’ traditional laptops. If your work involves creative tasks, especially those that utilize the Pencil, content consumption, or basic office tasks, the iPad Pro might be sufficient.

However, the iPad Pro still falls short for professionals who require the full flexibility of a desktop operating system. It’s not a hardware issue but rather the limitations imposed by iPadOS that make certain tasks either impossible or frustrating to complete.

The iPad comes in four models–mini, standard, Air, and Pro. iPadOS is compatible with all of them. Yet, it doesn’t make sense for a smaller or cheaper model to have the same operating system as a larger, more expensive one. This is different from how Macs work.

I hope that Apple will eventually promote the iPad as the computer of the future and develop an iPadOS that matches its hardware or even allows the iPad Pro to run macOS. Here’s an idea: When the keyboard and trackpad are attached, the iPad should run macOS. When they’re not, it should run iPadOS.

Until any of these options become available, the iPad Pro will continue to be a great idea for the future, but we still live in the present. As such, the potential it offers is far from becoming a reality.

Image | Xataka

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At Monday's WWDC 2024 event, Apple unveiled new features for its operating systems, including iOS 18, visionOS 2, macOS 15, and iPadOS 18. Speaking of the iPad, the device received a highly anticipated new addition.

The long-awaited calculator, a staple on the iPhone for over a decade, has finally made its way to the iPad. Wondering what the iPadOS 18 calculator will look like and do? Here's a look at its design, functionality, and more.

A Late Arrival

Surprisingly, Apple took its time to release the Calculator app for the iPad. We had to wait until the unveiling of iPadOS 18 to see it in action and discover its features.

The biggest news is that it’s finally available. After many years, users now have this essential tool on their smart devices. Moreover, it comes with a host of powerful features.

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In addition to performing calculations like what it does on the iPhone, the Notes app will also feature a calculator. It'll be able to recognize our handwriting and solve any handwritten calculations.

We thought Apple didn’t want to have a calculator on the iPad because it couldn’t figure out how to adapt its design to the big screen. However, the company has now showcased it and done a good job of making the most of the available display space.

This is the same app that comes pre-installed on the company’s iPhones. It’ll be available with iPadOS 18, which is set to be released in the fall. If you want to try it out earlier, you can choose to install the iPadOS 18 beta, which started to roll out on Monday.

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The new iPads are here. After introducing new MacBook Air models a few months ago, Apple announced the release of the 6th-generation iPad Air, which finally received its expected update during the company's "Let Loose" event held on Tuesday in London. As per tradition, Apple updates its iPads every two years. This year, notably, it has decided to offer the refresh in different sizes for the first time.

One version maintains the iPad Air's original 11-inch screen, while the other features a new 13-inch screen, similar to the iPad Pro. Both models come with Apple’s powerful M2 processor, which was previously exclusive to the iPad Pro.

All in all, the new iPad Air is an updated version of one of Apple’s most popular products, featuring a few minor refinements to keep up with the times.

iPad Air (2024) Specs

More Power and Storage and Bigger Overall

The 11-inch iPad Air has a True Tone LCD display that can reach a maximum brightness of 500 nits. While the new model is very similar to the previous generation, Apple has been hard at work improving the inside of the device. There are some changes to the exterior, though. Specifically, the 13-inch iPad Air offers a slightly brighter screen (600 nits).

In addition to the new size, the iPad Air 6 also comes with expanded storage capacity. The new generation starts at 128 GB, but customers can also choose between the 512 GB and 1 TB options.

Apple announced that the new iPad Air will be equipped with its advanced M2 processor, which was introduced last year and is currently used in the M2 MacBook Air. The chip is designed with 5-nanometer photolithography, has 8 cores, and a neural engine that can process 50% more operations compared to its predecessor, the M1.

The M2 has proven it can deliver excellent performance in laptops. By adding it to the iPad Air, Apple is putting the device on par with 2022's iPad Pro. Apple also states that the latest iPad Air is up to 3x faster than the 2023's iPad Air, which had an A12 chip.

On the media front, the new models feature 12-megapixel front and rear cameras, with audio enhanced by stereo speakers. Despite the "Pro" in its name, the new Apple Pencil Pro is also compatible with iPad Air 6.

The device can connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi or optional 5G connectivity, depending on which model you buy.

Regarding the software, the iPad Air will run iPadOS 17 upon release, but it’s expected to be one of the first devices to receive the latest version, iPadOS 18. This new operating system version will be compatible with alternative app marketplaces, similar to what we’ve seen in iOS.

2024 iPad Air models and prices

The new sixth-generation iPad Air comes in two sizes and several versions, depending on storage and connectivity. In the U.S., prices will start at $599 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model.

These are the final prices:

• 11-inch iPad Air: $599 (Wi-Fi) / $749 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
• 13-inch iPad Air: $799 (Wi-Fi) / $949 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

The 2024 iPad Air is set to hit stores for next week. It'll be available in four different colors: blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.

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