One of the key approaches in iPadOS 14 is Apple Pencil. Apple has made a variety of iPad enhancements to improve the integration between iPad and Apple Pencil, perhaps the most notable of which is a new Scribble feature. One thing I noticed during my time with iPadOS 14 is how much more enjoyable these functions are along with a matte display.
IPadOS 14 Apple Pencil Features
As Jeff Benjamin highlighted in his full iPadOS 14 tutorial, this year’s iPad software update includes several key features for heavy users of Apple Pencil. Scribble is the primary functionality here, and it allows iPad owners to use handwriting on any text box with Apple Pencil.
For example, you can use Apple Pencil to write in the Safari address bar, and your writing will be converted to typed text. Apple also notes that all transcription here occurs directly on your device, so your writing is kept private. There are also a variety of ways to edit the Doodle text:
- Circle a word to select it, perfect for when you need to copy or move a word.
- Just scratch a word or space to delete it.
- Press and hold between words to add a space with your Apple Pencil.
There’s also a new Scribble Shortcut Palette feature, which offers quick controls based on the application you’re using. For example, in the Mail app, you will see quick controls for changing fonts and inserting images. Apple explains:
The Shortcuts Palette gives you the most commonly used actions for the application you are using, so you can play the palette without using the on-screen keyboard. For example, if you’re typing in Mail, the shortcuts palette gives you options for the font picker and inserting images, allowing you to quickly tap the option you want. Under Reminders, you will find options for recent time and location settings that you might need when creating reminders.
iPadOS 14 also brings a variety of note-taking enhancements with Apple Pencil. A new Smart Select feature lets you select a single handwritten word or complete sentences with double-tap and triple-tap, or select entire paragraphs with a single motion.
Shape recognition is also a new note-taking feature that lets you draw geometrically perfect lines, curves, and shapes, including hearts, stars, and arrows. iPadOS 14 can also intelligently recognize addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, links, and more, allowing you to take one-touch actions.
Matte iPad Pro
One thing I have noticed during my time with iPadOS 14 is that the experience is much better when using a matte screen protector than with the default glossy screen. I’ve written about my appreciation for the iPad Pro matte screen protectors before, specifically highlighting the Moshi iVisor for my 12.9-inch iPad Pro (and even the 16-inch MacBook Pro).
I wrote about the Moshi iVisor before iPadOS 14 was announced and before we knew all the new Apple Pencil features. At the time, I said that the matte screen protector dramatically enhanced the Apple Pencil experience, with the matte finish making it feel a bit more like writing on paper. Now that iPadOS 14 is here with more Apple Pencil use cases, the experience of using Apple Pencil with a matte iPad Pro is even better.
A long time ago, Apple offered a matte display option for the MacBook Pro. In fact, as recently as 2009, Apple offered an anti-glare display option for MacBook Pro purchases as a $ 50 upgrade. Today, the only Matte product that Apple sells is the Pro Display XDR with a nano-textured finish.
I would love to see Apple offer a matte screen for the iPad Pro, especially with the new features of the iPadOS 14 Apple Pencil. Using an Apple Pencil with a matte screen is a much better experience than with a bright screen. My guess is that this would be a popular choice among people who are heavy users of Apple Pencil for drawing and taking notes, but for everyone else, bright displays would still be the default.
Meanwhile, matte screen protectors are a great option, but there’s no question that an Apple matte screen would be much better. You can find the Moshi iVisor matte screen protector for all modern iPad variants here and for several different MacBook models here. Another popular option is the Paper-Like screensaver, although I haven’t had a chance to try it out.
Would you buy an iPad Pro with a matte screen if you had a choice? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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