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Apple’s iPad gets its features from a combination of hardware and its software operating system (called iPadOS; the term is short for iPad operating system). As of this writing, the most current version of the operating system is iPadOS 15. It’s helpful to understand which features the newest iPad models and iPadOS 15 bring to the table (all of which are covered in more detail in this book).

The iPad is currently available in various sizes, depending on the version of iPad. Here are the five basic sizes, by iPad type:

 iPad: The ninth-generation iPad features a touchscreen that measures 10.2 inches diagonally and sports a super-fast 64-bit desktop-class A13 Bionic processor.

 iPad Air: The fourth-generation iPad Air employs a touchscreen measuring 10.9 inches diagonally and features a 64-bit A14 Bionic processor.

 iPad mini: The iPad mini 6’s screen measures 8.3 inches diagonally and uses a 64-bit A13 Bionic processor to do the behind-the-scenes work.

 iPad Pro: The two iPad Pro models are the fastest of the bunch. One measures 11 inches diagonally, and the other is 12.9 inches; they both come with blazing-fast M1 processors, which are the same processors used in many of Apple’s newest Mac desktop and laptop computers.

Dimensions of devices are typically shown in the units of measurement commonly used in a region. This means, for example, that the basic iPad is shown on Apple’s U.S. site as being 9.8 inches (250.6mm) high and 6.8 inches (174.1mm) wide. In metric-system countries, both dimensions are given, but the order is reversed. When it comes to screen sizes, however, the dimensions are given in inches.

In addition to the features of previous iPads, the latest iPad models offer

 Screen resolution: In addition to screen size, screen resolution has evolved so that Apple’s Retina and Liquid Retina displays, both of which support very high-resolution graphics, now appear across the line. The name derives from the concept that individual pixels on the screen are so small that at normal viewing distance, they can’t be distinguished.

 Apple Pencil: Originally designed exclusively for use with iPad Pro models, the Apple Pencil now works with all the latest iPad models. (Be sure to check which version of Apple Pencil will work with your iPad by visiting www.apple.com/apple-pencil.) Apple Pencil lets you draw and write on the screen with a familiar pencil-style tool rather than with your finger. The Apple Pencil contains a battery and sophisticated processing powers that make the experience of using it very much like (and sometimes better than) traditional pencils. Third-party pencils and drawing tools exist, but Apple’s integration of Apple Pencil is remarkably smooth; the product has taken off quickly among graphic artists, illustrators, and designers. As other people have discovered its usability for marking up documents, it is becoming more and more common in business environments.

 Neural Engine: The Neural Engine is a component of the processor in every iPad that focuses on handling specialized tasks related to artificial intelligence, image and speech processing, and more cool things.

 Touch ID: This security feature is included on several newer iPad models that have a Home button. Sensors in the Home button allow you to train the iPad to recognize your fingerprint and grant you access with a finger press. Touch ID also allows you to use the Apple Pay feature to buy items without having to enter your payment information every time.

 Facial recognition: Touch ID is replaced with Face ID on iPad models that don’t have a Home button. Using Face ID and the front-facing camera, your iPad unlocks when it recognizes your face.

 Barometric sensor: On all iPad models, this sensor makes it possible for your iPad to sense air pressure around you. This feature is especially cool when you’re hiking a mountain, where the weather may change as you climb. Perhaps more to the point, the changes in barometric pressure can be sensed on a smaller scale so that elevation can be sensed and measured as you move normally.

 More keyboard options: The iPad Pro has a full-size onscreen keyboard. Because the screen has more space, the top of the keyboard can contain extra commands for filling in passwords and using more advanced input techniques.

 Smart Connector for Smart Keyboard: In addition to the onscreen keyboard, you can use a Smart Connector to hook up a Smart Keyboard, an external keyboard that makes getting complex work done much easier.

 Live photos: Using the 3D Touch feature, you can press a photo on the screen to make it play like a short video. The Camera app captures 1.5 seconds on either side of the moment when you capture the photo, so anything moving in the image you photographed, such as water flowing in a stream, seems to move when you press and hold the still photo.

The iPadOS 15 update to the operating system adds many features, including (but definitely not limited to)

 Performance enhancements: Apple promises that iPadOS 15 will increase the speed and performance of your iPad, including older models going back as far as iPad Air 2. From apps to keyboards to taking pictures, everything gets a speed upgrade.

 Focus: Think of Focus as an extension of the Do Not Disturb feature. You can customize a focus to filter notifications based on what you’re doing at the moment. The default focus modes are personal, work, and sleep, and notifications are filtered based on their settings.

 Safari: iPadOS 15 gives Safari a whole new look and makes navigation easier. Tab groups are a welcome new feature that allow you to group your open web pages any way you like.

 Maps: Like Safari, Maps got a nice interface overhaul. Three-dimensional items like mountain ranges, buildings, trees, and more are rendered to make them more lifelike, making it easier to follow directions and recognize locations. A more detailed driving map is also a great enhancement.

 FaceTime: You can now schedule calls using FaceTime (this one falls into the “it’s about time” category …) and send links to participants. Also, the interface got a refresh, and the enhancements to sound technologies make hearing call participants much easier.

 Siri improvements: Siri just keeps getting better. Siri can now speak in more natural tones and cadence, thanks to new software rendering capabilities. Siri can also give you more personalized information, including the ability to find event information and reminders in other apps. And Siri can now play audio files from third-party app providers.

 Live text: Live text lets you interact with text in images. For example, if the text is an address, you can tap it to open the address in Maps. Or you can select text from a photo and copy it into a document. Live text is a great addition to iPadOS 15.

 Built-in apps have been updated: iPadOS 15 provides performance enhancements and interface upgrades for all the apps that come preinstalled with it.

Don’t need or use all the built-in apps? If so, you can remove them from your Home screen. When you remove a built-in app from your Home screen, you aren't deleting it — you’re hiding it. This is due to security reasons that are beyond the scope of this book. However, the built-in apps take up very little of your iPad’s storage space, and you can easily add them back to your Home screen by searching for them in the App Store and tapping the Get button.

These are but a very few of the improvements made to the latest version of iPadOS. I highly suggest visiting www.apple.com/ipados to find out more.