Jenny Chin explains that Apple didn’t want to just create a regular calculator app. (Image: Belozersky via Adobe Stock, Apple, Christopher Lawley via YouTube)
In a recent YouTube interview by Christopher Lawley, Apple employees introduced some of the newest features in iPadOS 18, including Smart Script, Math Notes – and the long-awaited calculator app for the iPad.
Since the release of the first iPad in 2010, until recently you had to rely on third-party apps if you wanted to use a calculator on it.
Link to YouTube content
Why a calculator app now?
A major topic of discussion was the introduction of the Calculator app on the iPad. Ty Jordan, product manager for systems experience, explained that Apple has put a lot of thought into how to make this feature best suited to the capabilities of the iPad and its accessories, such as the Apple Pencil.
Instead of simply integrating a basic or scientific calculator app, Apple says it decided to create something that goes beyond conventional calculators
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Apple gives a look behind the scenes: Jenny Chin, engineering manager for input experiences, says her team has been focused on optimizing the Apple Pencil experience, which includes everything from marking up screenshots to handwriting notes.
Jordan emphasized the importance of Smart Script, a new feature designed to make handwritten text as useful as typed text. Using on-device AI, the iPad learns your handwriting to correct mistakes or provide solutions to math problems.
»Math Notes« plays an important role here.
Math Notes: More than just calculations
Math Notes is an iOS 18 feature that complements the iPad Calculator app. It allows you to take handwritten math notes, set variables, and draw graphs.
We have already tested how well this works in practice using a beta version: iOS 18 Calculator: How the new powerful calculator works on iPhone and iPad
Jordan and Chin agree that these new features are intended to be particularly useful for students and professionals. But is that really the case? Have you tried the new Math Notes features yourself and how useful did you find them? Is it really as “magical” as Apple describes it? Let us know your experiences in the comments!
