Screenshot of iPadOS 26, showing the multiple application view of applications running on an iPad and landscape. Six applications are shown with two applications shown with a smaller column with indicating some of the changes to the windowing system for this new addition of the platform.

As someone who uses iPadOS for 90+% of computing, Apple’s WWDC 25 is always an interesting time to hear/see what has been brewing. That said, given the order of presenting at today’s keynote:

  • iOS
  • CarOS
  • WatchOS
  • tvOS
  • macOS
  • VisionOS
  • iPadOS

…the expectation that something more powerful for iPadOS was definitely desired. What was shown did not match the vision I hold for the malleable canvas that is a tablet which encourages using multiple fingers, gestures, and interface tools to shape one’s experience. Given the order, and what was emphasized, one can only assume that the former vision of “a space between mobile and laptop” is now the posture of wearable (watchOS) and consumable (tvOS).

That’s a sad judgement for those who believe they build better experiences through software. We have failed to push computing beyond a paradigm of “point, dab, and laugh” and it shows in the inability to move interfaces forward.

Its a shame… and an opportunity.

For me, it will mean several more “tech support” conversations towards what hasn’t changed and why those bits need to be learned - and possibly a few more “they should hire you” conclusions which go into the ether.

For those of you who are developing a present use of computing canvases which go beyond the mobile and consumption paradigms iOS has done really well with, I salute you. And sincerely hope that your imaginations and projects break through the past files and folders we stay anchored to.

A longer discussion of how I view this canvas of computing was discussed in a chat with Muse software some weeks back… an older shape of this thinking was part of a contribution to a TAT design exploration 15 years ago.

There’s an opportunity for better… the iPad is a richer canvas than what WWDC shared today.