iPads are our main machine when it comes to working, writing, reading, etc. here at Central Catholic. iPads are the main go to for not only us students, but for teachers, too. They exemplify how computers are prominent in the school workplace. However, unless your one of the handful of sophomores who has the Zagg keyboard case, it has never felt like a real computer, until now.

iOS 11 is the next software update for Apple’s mobile devices. Personally, I think the update is worth it. Some may be reluctant to update though because over the second semester of last year, and this year, some students have been reluctant to update their iPads to iOS 10. I do not blame them, some of the new features needed to be gotten used to from the previous version. However, iOS 11 is an update that is worth it. The new software carries the dream that the iPad becomes your main computer—which is perfect for us students. I will not bombard you with random, new specifications of the software; rather, I want to show you how to make iOS fully utilize your iPad’s capabilities.

One of the new features exclusive to the iPad in iOS 11 is the “dock.” This feature is borrowed from MacBooks. The key apps at the bottom of the home screen are replaced with a dock similar to the laptops. The dock can be accessed from any app by simply swiping at the bottom of the screen. From the dock, you can open any of the apps on it, no longer having to go back to the home screen. Although it does not seem like a big change, it saves time.

Closely related to the dock is the new app-switcher.You can now access the app-switcher two ways, by double clicking the home button, or by swiping from the bottom of the screen to the top of it shows all of your open apps. Unlike the app switcher iOS 10, this new one displays almost everything: the dock, your open apps, and the control center. For those who do not know, the control center is the tab that is accessed by swiping form the bottom of the screen. It displays brightness, Bluetooth, AirPlay, etc. The new app switcher is similar to other organization skills on today’s laptops.

Many computers allow for you to have multiple tabs or apps open at once. This feature is commonly known as “multitasking.” For a while iPads have been able to open two apps and put them side-by-side. In iOS 11, you can open three apps. There are new tricks with multitasking. In order to open a second app, open the dock and drag an app on to the screen. There are two places where the app can go. The app can “hover” over the currently open app, or be dragged over to the side of the screen to have them side-by-side. And then, you can resize each of the apps. This feature makes it easier to get more task done, efficiently.

Another new feature truly makes the iPad feel like a computer. The new “Files” app replaces the “iCloud Drive” app. Files is where all of your files on the iPad are saved. Unlike iCloud Drive app, Files views files from everywhere on the iPad. It even recognizes save files from other cloud services besides iCloud, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, etc. The app makes organization of an actual computer or laptop com to your iPad.

Some of the last features are useless to us here at Central Catholic. Why? Well, some of the new features in the Notes app only works on an iPad Pro; which the school does not issue to students. Those feature allow more usage of the Apple Pencil (which once again, non of us can use on the school iPads) and allow for easier note taking. However, although I may not have painted a fully detailed picture, and these new features may seen confusing just through a verbal description, trust me when I say that this update will be beneficial to students who use iPads. The new features are geared towards making an iPad an actual computer, not just a tablet. I put my full seal of approval with the new operating system. In my opinion, if you want to make your iPad your full device here at Central, I strongly recommend updating your iPad.