iPadOS 26 Is Apple’s Smartest iPad Update Yet — But Only M-Series Users Get the Real Masala

By Mohit Singhania | Updated: June 24, 2025

TL;DR: iPadOS 26 is bold, brainy, and bursting with features — but only if your iPad is rocking an M1 chip or higher. From AI magic like Genmoji and Smart Script to multitasking upgrades that finally make sense, this update is Apple’s loudest message yet: “No chip, no masala.” Want the full scoop? You’re in the right place.

For Apple’s official breakdown, check the iPadOS 26 Preview on Apple India

Apple Intelligence — iPad Just Got a Brain Upgrade (M1+ Only)

You know those viral ChatGPT moments? Apple just baked that AI power directly into iPadOS — but only for M1, M2, and M4 iPads. Welcome to Apple Intelligence — your personal genius living inside your tablet.

Full details here: Apple Intelligence official feature page

What It Can Do:

• Rewrite & Summarize long text in Notes, Mail, Safari
• Smart Reply: Auto-replies tailored to your tone and past chats
• On-screen awareness: Siri now understands what you’re doing and what’s on screen
• Proofread, clarify, and adjust tone with one tap
• Private Cloud Compute: AI that runs on-device or on Apple’s locked-down servers — no creepy data stuff

Masala Take:

Your iPad isn’t just a tablet anymore. It’s your writer, your therapist, your translator, and your PA — all rolled into one buttery-smooth Apple package.

Genmoji: Apple’s AI Lets You Invent Emojis Now

Tired of the same yellow faces? With iPadOS 26, you’re the emoji designer now.

What’s Genmoji?

• Type “angry samosa in sunglasses” → Apple generates a brand-new emoji
• Drag it into chats, emails, documents, or even react in real-time
• Genmojis are personalized and animated, making normal emojis feel prehistoric

Masala Scenario:

Imagine pitching a client and ending with a custom Genmoji of your logo doing a dab. That’s not branding — that’s brilliance.

Smart Script: Scribble Junk, Get Gold

The Notes app just got upgraded with Smart Script — it fixes your messy handwriting while you write.

Key Features:

• Automatically smoothens and neatens your strokes
• Identifies tasks, dates, contact names, and hyperlinks them
• Color-codes key points (like dates and action items)
• You can still write in your own style — it just makes it prettier

Real Use Case:

You scribble “Submit tax doc by June 30” — it underlines it, adds to Reminders, and color-tags “June 30” without asking. That’s boss-level productivity.

Stage Manager 2.0 – Multitasking Finally Grows Up

Last year, Stage Manager felt more like a beta test. iPadOS 26 brings the glow-up.

What’s New:

• Remembers layouts on external displays
• Snaps apps into place like a pro
• Smooth drag-and-drop between apps
• Fewer glitches, faster transitions

Masala Verdict:

From “ughh, why is this open like that” to “damn, this feels like a Mac” — it’s now worthy of your M2 chip.

Lock Screen & Widget Magic

Apple finally brought the custom lock screen drama to iPads — and it’s slick.

Now You Can:

• Change fonts, colors, depth effects on the lock screen
• Use Live Activities — see your Swiggy order, Uber ETA, IPL scores
• Interact with widgets without unlocking your iPad
• Toggle Focus Modes directly from the lock screen

Masala Use:

Set “Do Not Disturb” + cricket widget + Genmoji sticker — all without unlocking. Clean, fun, functional.

Battery Health for iPads: About Time

Just like iPhones, you can now see your iPad’s battery health:

• Check max capacity
• Enable optimized charging
• Avoid overnight battery drain
• Get smarter charging cycles

Desi Truth:

No more keeping your iPad plugged in 24×7 like an AC. Now, you’ll know when to stop.

Universal Control: Mac + iPad = Dream Team

If you use your Mac and iPad together — this one’s big:

• Faster cursor shift across screens
• Smoother file drag-n-drop
• Less connection issues
• Even better handoff between devices

Masala Flow:

Start editing a Reel on Mac → drag clip to iPad → sketch with Apple Pencil → back to Mac. Seamless AF.

Private Cloud Compute — Privacy With Power

When Apple’s AI needs help, it uses Private Cloud Compute — secure Apple-run servers that forget your data the moment they finish the task.

No logging. No saving. No model training. That’s peak privacy — not the ad-based AI circus others run.

Supported iPads for iPadOS 26

Bottom Line: If you don’t have M1, you’re not getting the real update.

iPadOS 26 vs iPadOS 17: Spot the Upgrade

Why This Update Matters for India

• Works great offline — ideal for patchy internet zones
• Multilingual note support, including Hindi-English mix
• Great for students, freelancers, and YouTubers
• Smart reply and rewrite tools can save hours of work
• Secure — no ads, no tracking, no bhool jaane wala cloud

iPadOS 26 Release Timeline

For beta updates and developer tools, visit the Apple Developer iPadOS site

Masala Meter – Final Ratings

Official source: Apple Newsroom – iPadOS 26 Announcement

Final Thought

If you’ve got a newer iPad — congrats, you just unlocked the next level of productivity and creativity. If not?

You can still enjoy the basics… but the real Apple Intelligence party is M1+ only.
The message is clear: “Upgrade, or stay basic.”

This is TechMasala.in — tech with extra tadka. Stay spicy, stay updated.

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