Apple’s primary focus for its software updates this year is on improving performance and stability. But there’s a big new feature that the company is still working to bring to macOS, according to a new report. That’s the ability to run iPad apps.
Apple has delayed big new features for iOS to focus on ironing out the kinks this year, according to a report from Axios’ Ina Fried. Software chief Craig Federighi is said to have announced the plans to Apple employees at a meeting earlier this month.
Apple will take the same steps with macOS, Fried adds. It wants to bolster security and introduce improvements in performance for system waking and unlocked. It hasn’t given up on adding iPad app support in 2018 just yet, however.
iPad apps could come to Mac this year
“Apple’s push for performance and security improvements over new features will also apply to this year’s Mac software, but one key feature remains on the roadmap for 2018: The ability for Macs to run iPad apps,” reads the latest report.
This would bring macOS and iOS closer than ever before. It could even pave the way for a future Surface-like 2-in-1 that offers users the performance and versatility of a MacBook alongside the simplicity and convenience of an iPad.
This is a long way off, however — if Apple is even considering such a device at all. Support for iPad apps alone in macOS will add “a high degree of complexity to this year’s OS release,” Fried adds.
Apple is reportedly hoping to strike a balance between fixing its buggy software while still offering fresh features that can drive sales of new devices. We all love shiny new things, but most Apple fans agree that its software is in dire need of stability improvements.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
One response to “Apple works to bring iPad apps to Mac in 2018”
I like grilled chicken and I like a nicely grilled steak once and awhile. I wouldn’t create a sausage mixing the two! It would not be very pleasant.
A mouse interface likewise is very different from a touch interface. While I can understand the desire to expand the given app into multiple platforms. I think the code level is where the two should met not the interface level. Apple needs to focus on fixing the inconsistencies in the OS’s (both) they are them selves breaking their own interface guidelines. Steve worked so hard to create with OS team years ago.
Today things I was able to do are just gone or broken! If you need to dummy it down fine, but give us a switch to set it for advance giving back what you’ve taken away. And allow us to stick with a given interface level so we don’t have to re-learn things when we don’t need it.
I think Steve Wozniak criticism of the iPhone X is on target here! To much is messed up! I can handle change it’s not making it intuitive or getting rid of an action that made sense (on the older devices for sure)