What’s NEW in iPadOS 18 Beta 5!SlatePad2024-08-06 | Safari Distraction Control is the star of the show in this short list of new features found in iPadOS 18, beta 5.iPadOS 26.1 Beta 1 Released - Small Tweaks & Design UpdatesSlatePad2025-09-23 | Apple has just released iPadOS 26.1 Developer Beta 1, and while it’s a smaller update, there are still a few design tweaks worth checking out. Here’s what’s changed:
If you’re testing iPadOS betas, let me know in the comments what you think of these small tweaks!M3 iPad Air After 6 Months – Still the Best Value iPad?SlatePad2025-09-13 | Even though I’m an iPad Pro user, I’ve always appreciated the iPad Air for how much power it delivers at a significantly lower price. It’s often considered the go-to recommendation for the best value iPad if you want to do more than just the basics.
I picked one up six months ago, right at launch, and while it hasn’t been my primary device, I’ve used it for a variety of tasks — and it’s been a fantastic beta testing device.
But with iPadOS 26 bringing multitasking and new features to every iPad, is the M3 iPad Air still the best value? Or does the 11th-generation iPad make more sense for most people?
Check out the ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case + Pencil Bundle for the iPad Air 11-inch (2025). Snap it on, get typing, and protect your iPad in style.
00:00 – Intro 00:55 – Design 01:34 – Performance & M3 Chip 02:56 – Battery Life After 6 Months 03:39 – iPadOS 26 on M3 iPad Air 07:49 – What Apple Needs to Fix Next 09:09 – Conclusions and RecommendationsESR Rebound Case Makes My M3 iPad Air iPadOS 26 Ready #ESRtech #ipadkeyboard #shortsSlatePad2025-09-05 | Getting my M3 iPad Air ready for iPadOS 26 with the ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case, which helps you be productive and keeps your iPad protected and looking sleek.
Perfect accessory if you’re preparing for the next big iPadOS update!iPadOS 26 Beta 9 & Public Beta 6: Almost Final! #shorts #ipados26 #appleSlatePad2025-09-03 | Apple just released iPadOS 26 Beta 9 and Public Beta 6, and this is likely the last beta before the Release Candidate. No new features here, just bug fixes and performance polish as we get closer to the final release.
Are you running the iPadOS 26 betas? What’s your experience been like so far? Let me know in the comments 👇
#iPadOS26 #Apple #iPadiPadOS 26 Beta 8 & Public Beta 5: What’s New?SlatePad2025-08-26 | iPadOS 26 Beta 8 (and Public Beta 5) is out now, and while this release doesn’t add any big new features, it does bring bug fixes.
So, with nothing really discuss from this release, I decided to cover a handful of smaller iPadOS 26 updates I haven’t discussed yet, including: • More Apps in the Dock • Podcast Speed Scrubber • Custom Snooze for Alarms • Redesigned Battery Menu • Create Reminder Control Center Toggle
🐦 Threads: threads.net/@slatepad 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@Slatepad 🌌 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/slatepad.bsky.socialMagSafe for iPad? Kuxiu Magnetic Charger Unboxing!SlatePad2025-08-22 | Unboxing the Kuxiu Magnetic iPad Charger, the closest thing we’ve seen to MagSafe on iPad. This magnetic charger snaps on just like MagSafe, giving your iPad a cleaner charging setup, and keeping your USB/Thunderbolt port free for peripherals. Perfect for iPad Pro and iPad Air users looking for a simple and stylish way to charge.
Full review coming soon!
Would you use a MagSafe-style charger on your iPad?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.iPadOS 26 Beta 7 & Public Beta 4: Stability and Polish!SlatePad2025-08-19 | Apple has released iPadOS 26 Beta 7 and Public Beta 4, and this update is all about stability and polish. In this video, I share my early thoughts on the build, highlight a few things I missed in my Beta 6 coverage, and talk about some ongoing issues that probably won’t get resolved before the initial release.
📌 Timestamps: 00:30 – General Thoughts on Beta 7 / Public Beta 4 01:07 – Things I Missed in Beta 6 Video 02:36 – iPadOS 26 Issues I Don’t Think Will Get Resolved in the Initial Release
If you’re testing iPadOS 26 yourself, let me know what you’re seeing in the comments!
📱 Follow me: Threads: threads.net/@slatepad Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@Slatepad Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/slatepad.bsky.socialiPadOS 26 Public Beta 3 and iPadOS 26 Beta 6- It’s Really Coming Together!SlatePad2025-08-12 | iPadOS 26 Public Beta 3/iPadOS 26 Beta 6 is here for developers and public beta testers. This release feels great so far, with Apple clearly starting to focus on polishing the experience. In this video, I go hands-on with the latest features, design tweaks, and fixes in Apple’s newest iPad update.
Follow me for more iPad and Apple coverage: Threads: threads.net/@slatepad Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@Slatepad BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/slatepad.bsky.social
🌐 Website: slatepad.orgiPadOS 26 Beta 5 and iPadOS 26 Public Beta 2 is here!SlatePad2025-08-06 | Apple has released iPadOS 26 Beta 5 and iPadOS 26 Public Beta 2 for testing, and in this video, I go over everything that’s new!
This release feels like Apple is starting to put the finishing touches on iPadOS 26 before the public launch. There’s not much for big new changes, but the OS is slowly becoming more stable and fluid.
⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:20 - Lock Screen Animation 00:36 - Always Visible Menu bar on external displays 01:12 - select buttons in Mail app 01:39 - Splash Screens 02:24 - Glassy Remove App Button 02:40 - New AirDrop Icon 03:54 - View Nearby Protected Networks from Control Center
📲 Follow me for more updates and behind-the-scenes: ▸ Threads: threads.net/@slatepad ▸ Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@Slatepad ▸ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/slatepad.bsky.social
🔔 Subscribe for more iPadOS coverage and updates as we head toward the final release.iPad Mini 7 + iPadOS 26 Public Beta = iPad Mini (Almost) ProSlatePad2025-07-26 | Is the iPad Mini 7 the iPad Mini Pro we’ve been waiting for? With the recent release of the iPadOS 26 public beta, I wanted to take a look at how the Mini’s already powerful hardware combined with the new update really unlock its potential.
Affiliate Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you purchase through the links above. Thank you for supporting the channel!iPadOS 26 Public Beta Is Here! 7 Features You NEED to Know AboutSlatePad2025-07-24 | It’s been a long wait, but the iPadOS 26 public beta is finally here!
I’ve been using iPadOS 26 since the first developer beta, and in this video, I’m breaking down the 7 most impactful features you need to know about in the public beta.
Want to try it yourself? Here’s my step-by-step guide to getting started with the iPadOS 26 public beta: 👉 slatepad.org/2025/07/08/prepare-ipados-26-public-betaiPadOS 26 Beta 4 Is Here! What’s Changed?SlatePad2025-07-23 | Apple has just released iPadOS 26 Beta 4 to developers, continuing to add updates to the iPad experience. In this video, I walk you through the most notable new features in this beta.
👇 Let me know in the comments what feature you’re most excited about and if you’re planning on joining the public beta!
🔔 Subscribe for more iPadOS 26 coverage, beta breakdowns, and iPad tips.
📝 Website: slatepad.org 📸 Threads: slatepadWhat’s NEW in iPadOS 26 Beta 3? | New Features & ChangesSlatePad2025-07-08 | iPadOS 26 Beta 3 brings a fun macOS-inspired feature to the iPad, along with some tweaks to Liquid Glass that is stirring some controversy. Here’s what’s new in this latest developer beta.
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/07/07/ipados-26-beta-3-whats-newMOFT Dynamic Folio: What I Loved, What I Didn’tSlatePad2025-06-30 | In this video, I’m taking a look at the Moft Dynamic Folio.The Dynamic Folio is an iPad folio case that offers multiple stand positions and viewing angles, without getting in the way of what makes the iPad great.
If you’re looking for an iPad case that’s flexible but still keeps the iPad experience front and center, this one’s worth a look.
Thanks to Moft for providing their Dynamic Folio for review! If you like the product, you can purchase it from the link below, and get 10% off if you use the code SlatePad at checkout:
Referenced in the video: What’s In My iPad Bag?! - youtu.be/KRdvtSHhmU8iPadOS 26 Beta 2: What’s NEW?SlatePad2025-06-24 | The second developer beta for iPadOS 26 has just been released, and in this quick video, I go over the new features that are worth mentioning!
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/06/24/ipados-26-beta-2-whats-newiPadOS 26 - The BIG New Features!SlatePad2025-06-10 | iPadOS 26, that’s right, it’s not iPadOS 19, it’s iPadOS 26, is one of those big releases we only get every few years. Multitasking has received a macOS-like overhaul, and a full-featured window snapping solution has come to the platform.
There’s even a new mouse cursor!
This video goes over the major new features in iPadOS 26 outside of the new design. This is a big one, folks!!!
After watching this video, you can read my initial thoughts and concerns about iPadOS 26 at slatepad.org, which where I write about post-pc platforms like the iPad (okay, mostly the iPad, but I’m planning to expand): slatepad.org/2025/06/10/ipados-26-ipad-or-macHow to Use Ethernet with Your iPad (USB-C & Lightning)SlatePad2025-06-09 | Did you know your iPad supports Ethernet? Whether you’re using a USB-C iPad or an older Lightning model, you can get faster, more stable internet with a wired connection. In this video, I walk you through exactly what you need, how to set it up, and why it might be a better option than Wi-Fi in some situations.
I may receive a small kickback if you buy from these links which helps support the channel and the website.M4 iPad Pro Review - One Year Later: Expensive, but underratedSlatePad2025-05-27 | It’s been a little over a year since the M4 iPad Pro was released, and since then, it’s replaced my M1 iPad Pro as my primary personal device. In this video, I go into how it’s held up over this past year and what some of the positives and negatives are about it, a year later.
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/05/27/m4-ipad-pro-1-year-later-long-term-review-from-an-actual-ipad-useriPadOS 18.5 is Here! What’s New?SlatePad2025-05-12 | iPadOS 18.5 will be one of the last updates for iPadOS 18. With WWDC right around the corner, its understandable that this is a small update, as Apple is more focused on this year’s set of new software. This video is a quick one that goes over the new changes and tweaks:
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/05/12/ipados-185-is-now-available-with-mail-app-improvements-and-a-new-wallpaperM3 iPad Air Review : Needs More AirSlatePad2025-04-28 | It’s been a few years since I’ve used an iPad Air, and I’ve spent the past 30 days testing and using it. Its one of the best values in iPad, and one of the least expensive ways to get into an M-Series chip. I go over my general thoughts, talk about how its performed, and give some buying advice!
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/04/27/m3-ipad-air-reviewiPadOS 18.4 is Out! - Heres Whats NewSlatePad2025-03-31 | Once you get past the sting of not getting the smarter Siri update in this release (or this year), it turns out iPadOS 18.4 is still an interesting release. I walk through the features you need to be aware of.
Matter Vacuums Link: vacuumwars.com/what-is-matter-and-what-does-it-mean-for-robot-Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: A Worthy SequelSlatePad2025-03-21 | The original PowerBeats Pro have been my workout earphones of choice from the day one. The PowerBeats Pro 2 build on what were already good earphones, and makes them well-rounded enough that you may want to consider them for your everyday earphones as well.
In this video, I compare the two models of PowerBeats, as well as add some comparisons to the AirPods Pro 2.
Note: I lost microphone audio for the sound quality section at about 5:48 in the video, so what you hear is coming from my iPhone. Cleaned it up as much as I could, but sorry for the differing audio quality.
Purchase PowerBeats Pro 2 from this link to support my work! - amzn.to/41F0ujZ
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/03/21/powerbeats-pro-2-reviewUnboxing the NEW M3 iPad Air! #ipadair #ipadSlatePad2025-03-13 | The new M3 iPad Air is here! I picked up the 11 inch model and unbox it!What’s NEW in iPadOS 18.4 Beta 2?SlatePad2025-03-07 | The second developer beta for iPadOS 18.4 has been released with a few new features and refinements!
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/03/03/whats-new-in-ipados-184-developer-beta-2What’s NEW in iPadOS 18.4 Beta 1!SlatePad2025-02-22 | iPadOS 18.4 Beta 1 is FINALLY here! And while it doesn’t have the new Siri features we’ve been waiting for, there’s still plenty of new features to talk about!
(And I do mean whirlwind…..sorry if I’m talking a bit fast, that third cup of coffee was not my best idea!)
Written version: slatepad.org/2025/01/27/ipados-183-is-now-availableAn iPad Stylus with Find My Support for $30! : ESR Geo Digital PencilSlatePad2025-01-16 | In this video, I take a look at ESR’s latest Apple Pencil alternative that provides a basic stylus experience AND Apple Find My support for $30!
UPDATE 01/27/25: In this video I mention this stylus wirelessly charges, but it is actually a different ESR stylus that has this feature. This one has to charge over USB. I apologize for the confusion.
You can buy this product on Amazon at this link: amzn.to/3BZCTSt Buying from this link will give me a small kickback (at no extra cost to you) and supports the channel.
This video is in no way sponsored by ESR.What’s NEW in iPadOS 18.2?SlatePad2024-12-11 | Another day, another update to iPadOS! In this video, I give an overview of the latest updates to everyone’s favorite tablet operating system. This release focuses mostly on the new image generation capabilities in Apple Intelligence, but there are other small improvements across the system as well.
Written version: slatepad.org/2024/12/11/whats-new-in-ipados-182Great Stands for your iPad!SlatePad2024-11-25 | An important part of the iPad experience is having some kind of stand to prop up your device for work or fun. I’ve gone through a number of different stands over the years, and this video goes over the ones I’m using now!
Pitaka Portrait/Landscape Magnetic Stand - amzn.to/4g5QgiliPad mini 7 vs. Kindle Colorsoft: Which is the better color reader?SlatePad2024-11-15 | The iPad mini’s size makes it one of the best tablets to use as an e-reader. But with the newly released Kindle Colorsoft bringing color e-ink to the Kindle lineup for the first time, does that make it better for reading than the iPad mini 7? In this video, I unbox the Kindle Colorsoft and do a comparison between the two devices, as readers.
Written version: slatepad.org/2024/11/07/whats-new-in-ipados-182-beta-2iPadOS 18.2 - Apple Intelligence Phase 2 and More!SlatePad2024-11-02 | iPadOS 18.2 Beta 1 is now available, and it brings the second set of new Apple Intelligence features to eligible iPads. This release focuses mostly on image generation and ChatGPT integration, but there are a few other small new features in this release as well.What’s NEW In iPadOS 18.1!SlatePad2024-10-28 | iPadOS 18.1 is now generally available, bringing the first wave of Apple Intelligence Features to compatible iPads. In this video, I go over the major new features in this update.iPad Mini 7 : A Good iPad That Could Be GreatSlatePad2024-10-26 | After a long 3 year wait, Apple has finally updated the beloved iPad Mini. In this video, I go over the big and small improvements over the last generation model, and talk about what I see as the biggest problem with the iPad Mini.
Written version: slatepad.org/2024/10/26/ipad-mini-7-first-lookiPad Mini 7 Unboxing! #shorts #apple #ipadminiSlatePad2024-10-24 | The new iPad mini is finally available after 3 long years. More to come, but let’s start with an unboxing!What’s In My iPad Bag?!SlatePad2024-10-14 | iPads really excel as portable computers, so I want to share what goes with me in my iPad bag when I’m able get out of the house and get some work done on with my iPad.
**Disclaimer: The links below are affiliate links, and if you purchase anything from them, I will get a small kickback to support the channel**
Anker 541 USB-C hub: amzn.to/4dPkR1QApple Watch Series 10 Review: Thin Is In!SlatePad2024-09-29 | After a week with the Series 10, I’m ready to give it a review and compare it to my outgoing Series 7.
Written version: slatepad.org/2024/09/29/apple-watch-series-10-reviewApple Watch Series 10 Unboxing : Natural Titanium 42 mm #shorts #appleSlatePad2024-09-20 | ...iPadOS 18 Walkthrough - The features you NEED to know about!SlatePad2024-09-16 | iPadOS 18 is now (or will soon be) available with new features that make your iPad more capable and more customizable. In this video, I go over the major new features from the customizable home screen to improvements to the Files App.What’s NEW in iPadOS 18.1 Beta 3? New Apple Intelligence Features!SlatePad2024-08-29 | We’re getting closer to the final stable release of iPadOS 18, while the iPadOS 18.1 betas continue to add new Apple Intelligence features. This video focuses most on the changes in 18.1 beta 3, include the new Clean Up feature in Photos!Master Multitasking on iPad!SlatePad2024-08-25 | Multitasking is one of the most misunderstood features on iPadOS. So I wanted to provide an overview of how to take advantage of iPad’s multitasking model including: * Split View * Slide Over * Stage Manager * The Shelf and * External displays
Note: The screen recording is from an iPad running the iPadOS 18 beta, so Control Center may look a little different than what you’re used to.What’s NEW in iPadOS 18 Beta 6 AND iPadOS 18.1 Beta 2!SlatePad2024-08-13 | We get two new betas this week as we get closer to the fall OS releases. I go over what’s in on the iPadOS 18 train, and the catch up features on iPadOS 18.1.
Video I referenced in this video: iPad at 14: Revisiting the Seven Things youtu.be/DthHuLg-hEU
Written version: slatepad.org/2024/04/19/ipad-at-14-does-it-still-have-a-reason-to-existWhat’s NEW in iPadOS 18 Beta 4!SlatePad2024-07-24 | A quick overview of the small changes found in dev beta 4 of iPadOS 18.Delta Emulator for iPad is Here!SlatePad2024-07-15 | The popular retro game emulator has been updated with iPadOS support! The app now takes full advantage of the iPad display and the multitasking capabilities of iPadOS.
App Store link (US): apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-game-emulator/id1048524688iPad Pro M4 One Month Later | It DOESN’T need savingSlatePad2024-07-12 | After using the M4 iPad Pro for a month-ish, I wanted to talk about how its been working for me, and address the idea the the iPad Pro, and the iPad in general, need saving.
EU Changes Overview Video: youtu.be/E9IlbHGZrewFormat External Storage In iPadOS 18!SlatePad2024-06-23 | Looks like Apple snuck in external storage formatting into iPadOS 18! Here’s a brief look at what that feature looks like.