iPadOS 26, the last update announced this time, not only incorporates the "Liquid Glass" design language and many "Apple Intelligence" service updates, but also has a more flexible multi-floating window interface and drop-down function menus corresponding to different apps. It also further improves file management efficiency and PDF file preview functions, making iPadOS more convenient to use as a whole and more clearly differentiated from iOS.
The floating window interface added this time allows users to present apps in windowed form as needed, and can adjust the window size or present it in full-page form. In addition, multiple windows can be placed side by side through preset options. At the same time, the same Exposé Command Center interface as the Mac platform is also added, which allows users to quickly adjust apps on the top of the stack, thereby improving the multitasking experience of iPad devices.
As for the file management function, it is added to view more file information, and you can directly drag and drop frequently used file boxes to the desktop Dock column, or directly drag and drop them to a specific app for use. In addition, you can also choose to open the file in a specific app through the menu. As for PDF files that most people use frequently, the new version of iPadOS 26 also adds a preview function similar to macOS, and can quickly view and edit PDF files.
To meet the needs of creators, iPadOS 26 adds support for using an external iPad microphone or a Bluetooth-connected microphone device to collect audio in apps such as FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, or Zoom, and provides sound noise reduction, wide-area spatial, or automatic recognition recording effects.
In addition, iPadOS 26 also supports background execution when some creative video software outputs video content, making it convenient for users to switch to other apps at the same time to handle different matters. Apple also releases the Background Tasks API to developers, allowing developers to create app content that supports running in the background.
As for the iPadOS 26 released this time, it is currently only available for iPad mini 5, iPad Air 3, 11-inch iPad Pro and third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
