IPad Pro User Guide For Beginners

Chapter 2
What's New on The Latest iOS?

To keep up with demands, fix bugs, and update their general system, Apple regularly releases a new and improved operating system. Currently, the latest version available for the iPad Pro is version 14.4.2.

The major update in the recent iPadOS 14.4.2 has to do with fixing security issues in Webkit which is the engine that makes the iPad's default browser, Safari, run. Good thing Apple does not broadcast the bugs they need to fix in a current operating system before they roll out the updates. They wait for updates to be available before mentioning the glitches in the older model so malicious folk will not take advantage of any lags.

Apple since 2019 has started releasing separate updates for the general iOS devices and iPad Pro. This is done to make features specific to the needs of an iPad Pro. Therefore, some features that were done for iOS 14 were not added to iPadOS 14. Notwithstanding, the features enhanced for the iPadOS 14 are top-notch.

One of such features is that the most recent iPadOS contains compressed phone and FaceTime calls that do not cover the whole display, and Siri is also available on the underside of the display in a compact format with a small Siri icon.

Also, Apple has provided the option in the writing app called Notes for handwriting notes with Apple Pencil and converting the notes to typed texts. You can select handwritten text with gestures used only for typing text. These notes can also be copied to other applications such as Pages from the Notes app and automatically be converted to text.

A form recognition capability lets you draw rough forms such as a circle or a star, then pretty much automatically transforms them into a perfect geometric form. Notes also integrated intelligence for hand-written text to identify addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses, which can be clicked on just like standard text links.

The recent update as at the time this book was written has an addon added to Safari that helps it translates languages better than many other competitors available. It also performs functions faster. The privacy settings have also been enhanced to provide a report to a user.

For the Music app, lyrics have been provided in real-time as songs play. Also, a Listen Now playlist has replaced For You.

On the recent iOS, you can set non-system apps as default mail or browser. This a huge step up if you have a browser or mail you prefer than the ones provided by Apple. You can also use a small aspect of an app before deciding if you want to get the full app. It's called App Clips and is a handy tool to try before committing to purchasing or downloading an app.

Chapter 3
Setting Up Your iPad

When you purchase a new iPad Pro, you'd get a box containing the iPad Pro, accessories that come with it, and a manual with a list of instructions on how to operate it. If you're one of those whom manuals confuse, then this chapter is for you. We'd go over what buttons do what and how to start up your new iPad Pro.

The first thing you'd probably do when you get your iPad Pro is to turn it on. The sleep and wake-up buttons on the exterior of the iPad Pro are meant for that. They start up or turn off your iPad Pro. You'd press down on the button for some seconds and the screen will light up as the iPad Pro picks up and the Apple logo appears. It may take some minutes for the procedure to be completed. When you want to put off your iPad Pro, you long-press the same button and an icon will appear on your screen. Sliding that icon turns off the iPad Pro. Alternatively, if you don't want to turn off your iPad Pro, simply press the sleep and wake button lightly to put your iPad Pro on sleep mode which saves the battery without completely turning off the device.

The dock connector is positioned at the bottom of the device. You'll use it to charge your tablet or attach any additional devices (like an iHome dock). The volume up/down button is located on the tablet's left side.

The home button which is likely the most important button on your iPad Pro is fixed at the lower region of the screen. This button is in charge of minimizing apps and taking to the redirecting you to the Home Screen.

On the iPad Pro, there are two cameras: one in the front at the top center, and one at the back. The front camera can be used for video calls or taking self-portraits, while videos and images are usually taken with the back camera.

Finally, there are three small circular shapes on the side of the tablet that will be used to plug in an external keyboard which is sold separately.

Though the tablet's exterior is pretty, it's probably not your priority. Let's get to the fun part: how the iPad Pro works.

Gestures

Before you go swiping what should be clicked or clicking what should be swiped, let's talk about touch and gestures. Touch and gestures are how you interact and operate your iPad Pro. Using your index fingers, you get the tablet to respond to you by touching.

Common gestures you'd encounter while operating your iPad Pro are:

Tap: The tap gesture is when you use the pad of your finger to select an icon on your screen. It's a light touch that you may hardly feel and do intuitively if you're already accustomed to multi-touch screens. It's how you operate your keyboard, open an application, or click on a number to make a call. Double-tapping the screen can also zero in on an image or webpage.

Swipe: The swipe gesture can be done on the screen of the pad with your fingers by simply sliding your fingers across the screen when you want to switch between apps or photos. Swiping down will bring out the multi-task bar. This too doesn't demand a hard press. A light touch will suffice.

Pinch or stretch: The pinch or stretch gesture is achieved using the tip of your index finger and thumb. This is used to zoom in or zoom out areas of interest in either a picture or a website. To zoom out, place your fingers on the screen at least two inches apart and pull them together. This will make the photo smaller and give you a more holistic view. On the other hand, to zoom in, put your fingers together but instead of pulling them closer, you slide them apart. You may have to repeat this a few times before you get your desired view.

Drag: The drag is basically what you do when you want to scroll up or down or left or right. It's likely what you'd do if you're viewing a page and reading the lines slowly. You'd drag up or down to get to the next page.

Gestures used on a Touch Screen are pretty easy to understand and will become intuitive once you get used to your device.

Turning on Your iPad Pro

The first thing you'd see when the iPad Pro comes on is the Apple logo. After the booting process is complete, you'd either be taken to the homepage or if it's the first time you're putting on the device, you'd be directed to a page where you can set up your Apple ID. Your Apple ID works as a combination of your email address and a password that will form your unique access to services, like the App Store, iCloud, and built-in apps. It's similar to having a Google account, you can use to navigate through the Google Play Store, register on websites, and so on.

Creating an Apple ID is not complex. You'd be directed to a website specified for that and instructions will follow. If you have an ID already, but you still want to customize a particular tablet, you can input your details. If you can't recall your ID (both email and password), there's a link address: “Find your Apple ID” that will help you retrieve it. Where you have the email address, but you do not know your password, you may and select the “Reset your password” option. After doing this, you'll be able to customize your tablet and get to the primary display screen.

Once you get there, you'd see the Home Screen with icons for different applications. Many of these applications are inbuilt so you won't be able to delete them. Applications you can delete will be as easy as pressing the icon for some seconds until an ‘x’ mark shows up at the top of the icon. Click on that mark to delete. You'd most likely get a pop-up to verify that you indeed wish to delete that icon. If so, you can simply click delete. On the off chance that you didn't intend to erase that application, or you want it back, the raw files are stored in the system and you can always recover them.