When Apple unveiled the iPadOS 15, a lot of iPad-powered users were disappointed that no major changes were made. But one feature has become quite popular and is a quick note. Quick Note is the first applet that can float and resize freely over other full-fledged applications. The quick note is quite useful and quite clever, allowing users to add links, rich data and drawings. But what if the same UI paradigm was used for other tools?
First, let's talk about two applications that Apple apparently refuses to bring to the iPad. The computer and the weather are two indispensable iPhone applications that users have been calling on the iPad for years. Why not use the same user interface as a quick note to bring these two apps to the iPadOS?
When you need a computer, just swipe from the corner of the screen. You can quickly make equations and even copy / paste numbers into documents. It would be especially useful when working in applications such as Google Spreadsheets, Numbers and Excel.
The weather would be useful when you are planning a trip or about to leave the house. Slide out of the corner and check the forecast. Now you're probably wondering how you'll be able to switch between these quick note-type applets. I imagine a simple button just below the clamp at the top of the window. Just tap or click it and you'll get a context menu of other applets.
Apple could offer more built-in applets in addition to the computer, weather and notes. What if you could open a webpage in a floating Safari window, change your HomeKit commands, move around Apple TV, and find missing items?
Now there are a lot of applications that don't make sense for a Quick Note system like this. A lot of apps are better left on full screen or split view, but I can think of several developers who could build third-party applets for the Quick Note user interface. An API for developers to build small floating windows would be a huge advantage for advanced users.
This new type of functionality will actually allow you to have four applications on the screen simultaneously. Two in split view, one in slide over and one in Quick Note. Because Quick Note is resizable with a pinch, you can also choose to do more work with these applets.
How do you feel about Quick Note? Do you think Apple should create more Quick Note applets? Do you want third-party developers to be able to build their own tools for the system? Tell us in the comments below!
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