After 14 Years of Waiting, Apple is Introducing the First-Ever Built-In Calculator App for iPad at WWDC 2024
In a long-awaited move, Apple has announced the introduction of a native Calculator app for the iPad, to be included with the release of iPadOS 18. This reveal was made during the keynote at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today, bringing an end to 14 years of user anticipation.
Since the launch of the iPad, users have been perplexed by the absence of a built-in Calculator app. The wait is finally over as Apple confirms that the new Calculator app will be part of iPadOS 18.
The app will feature a design similar to its iPhone counterpart, utilizing round buttons to ensure a consistent experience across all Apple devices. Additionally, this design update will extend to the Mac’s Calculator app, which will also transition from square to round buttons.
The reasons behind the absence of an iPad Calculator app have long been a topic of speculation. A widely shared anecdote from a purported former Apple employee on Reddit suggests that Steve Jobs himself decided to pull the app shortly before the original iPad’s release due to dissatisfaction with its design.
According to the story, Jobs found the Calculator app’s appearance on the iPad to be subpar and preferred to omit it rather than compromise on design quality.
This narrative is consistent with Apple’s philosophy of prioritizing design excellence, even if it means delaying or canceling features.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, reinforced this approach in a 2020 interview, stating, “We want to do it when we can do it really, really well. And we honestly just haven’t gotten around to doing it great.”
The announcement of the Calculator app is just one of many exciting updates from WWDC 2024.
Apple also unveiled major updates to its operating systems, including iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS, along with enhancements to Siri and other AI-driven features. These updates are set to further integrate Apple’s ecosystem, offering a more seamless and intelligent user experience.
In addition to software updates, Apple’s visionOS advancements highlight the company’s ongoing commitment to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. These developments point towards a future where AR and VR play a more significant role in everyday computing.
The introduction of a native Calculator app, while seemingly minor, addresses a long-standing gap in the iPad’s functionality.
For years, iPad users have relied on third-party apps for their calculation needs. The inclusion of a built-in option will streamline user experience and align the iPad with other Apple devices.
This move also illustrates Apple’s attentiveness to user feedback and its willingness to adapt to market demands. By filling this long-ignored void, Apple continues to enhance its product appeal and maintain its competitive edge in the tech market.
Read full article at ZD NET.