The public beta of iPadOS 18 has launched and includes some new features for the best iPads supporting this OS. iPadOS 18's full version will be released this fall, but the public beta is a (relatively) safe way to try out the new iPad features right now It is.

iPad-specific features include a new handwriting tool in the Calculator app. iPadOS 18 also includes many of the same features that will be in iOS 18, including a more customizable home screen, an updated Control Center, and a floating tab bar for certain apps Many of the same features are also included.

If you want to check out iPadOS, be sure to read our instructions for downloading the iPadOS 18 public beta. Once you've done that, here are five iPadOS 18 features you'll want to try first.

iPadOS 18 allows you to customize your home screen more to make your tablet feel more like you. For example, you can now freely place icons anywhere you want on the home screen. This is useful if you do not want to cover certain areas of the wallpaper with apps.

To add even more flair, you can add specific colors to your icons using the automatic option to pair icons with wallpaper colors. For example, if your wallpaper is mostly yellow, you can activate the coloring tool and select the yellow portion of the background. The icon will be that particular shade.

If you like to use the Apple Pencil to write on your iPad, you will love Smart Script. This new feature automatically cleans up your handwriting in real time and does a great job of maintaining your personal writing style. Misspelled words are also highlighted so you can either rewrite the word or correct it by selecting the recommended spelling (which translates to your handwriting style).

SmartScript takes things further by allowing you to add text in the middle of a paragraph. That paragraph will automatically adjust to fit what you have written. This also works with pasted text, which is converted to handwriting style.

The Calculator app for iPad is not just a bigger version of the same app found on the best iPhones and the best MacBooks. That's because the new Math Notes feature makes smart use of the Apple Pencil, giving the app even more functionality.

You can write out (or type in) a math problem on the Calculator app and instantly see the solution in your own handwriting. This is useful for studying math, budgeting, etc.

The new graphing feature is especially useful when working on more complex math problems. With a simple tap, you can write or enter equations and insert graphs. Math Notes also works in the Notes app via the new Math Notes folder.

This is another iOS 18 feature that iPad users should take advantage of. Just like adding widgets to the home screen, you can now add and remove controls (such as volume controls and flashlight buttons) from the Gallery at will. Controls can be placed on as many pages as you like.

More controls at your fingertips means less time spent flipping through pages to find the app you need.

Most apps (especially Apple apps) have a sidebar on the left side that gives you additional control over that app. Complementing the sidebar is a new floating tab bar above the app content. Feel free to add more useful controls to the floating tab bar.

New iPadOS 18 features like Smart Scripts and Math Notes make smart use of the Apple Pencil and feel like they are made for tablets. iPads sometimes feel like giant iPhones that can't make calls or (when attached to a Magic Keyboard This is a good thing, considering that the iPad sometimes feels like a giant iPhone that can't make calls or a MacBook with limited functionality (when attached to the Magic Keyboard).

It will be interesting to see what iPadOS 18 looks like when Apple Intelligence is launched for Apple devices later this year. Perhaps then we will see the true potential of this operating system. But for now, iPadOS 18 is a decent update overall.