Apple Execs Explain Why The Company Finally Decided To Bring The Calculator App To The iPad, Processes Behind Math Notes, More

With the release of iPadOS 18, Apple made sure that users get what they have been wanting for years - a Calculator app for the iPad. However, Apple just did not want to offer a standard standalone calculator app, as it wanted it to be the best app in its category on any device, and from what we have seen, the company has definitely achieved its gaol. Apple executives sat down for an interview at which the company went deep with the Math Notes and Smart Scripts in iPadOS 18, detailing what went behind the scenes to create the technology.

Apple executives talk about the Calculator app, Math Notes, and more in a new interview, detailing behind the scene processes

In an interview with Chris Lawley, Apple executives detail how the new Math Notes and Smart Script features work behind the scenes. If you are not familiar, the new Math Notes feature allows users to write mathematical notations, which the app can solve in a jiffy while recognizing your handwriting. Apple's system experiences product manager, Ty Jordon, elaborated on why the company decided to bring the Calculator app to the iPad and how the Math Notes feature works.

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Apple's engineering manager, Jenny Chen, also shared details on input experiences, suggesting how you can insert a graph with a single tap and how Math Notes recognizes it.

Smart Script, on the other hand, is a different feature compared to Math Notes, as it aims to improve your handwriting while you take notes. The feature does this by straightening and smoothing your handwritten text when you write using your Apple Pencil and has the ability to edit the text. Here's how Jordan explains it:

iPadOS 18 is a major update that brings a slew of new features and changes for all iPad models compatible with the platform and the update will be available in the fall, potentially alongside