Worldwide Developers Conference - The loudest applause of the night could potentially cause discomfort to Apple.
At Apple's developer conference, the joke among attendees was whether the new iPads would finally get a built-in calculator. Unlike the iPhone, Apple's tablet had been lacking this feature. Now, Apple has released one, and it's quite impressive.
The audience could barely contain their excitement when the calculator app was announced. While Apple showcased a host of other advancements, such as their AI collaboration with OpenAI and further expansion of their Vision Pro data glasses, it was the calculator app that left everyone enthralled.
iPad Calculator: Expectations VS Reality
The lack of details didn't dampen the anticipation. The simple fact that there was a calculator app was enough to spark enthusiasm. It was a bit overwhelming, considering the other announcements - like Apple's major AI push and the Vision Pro data glasses expansion.
Apple didn't want the buzz to die down, and they delivered. The Math Notes feature takes handwritten notes, interprets them as math problems, and can calculate them on demand with Apple Pencil input. The tablet can even draw curves and evaluate the result.
A Smart Learning Companion
But the surprises didn't stop there. This smart learning tool adapts to changes in variables and adjusts the graphs accordingly. Students studying math can now manipulate formulas in real-time, making them more understandable by exploring different values.
Apple didn't create math, but they certainly made it more engaging with this calculator app. Many spectators during the event considered it the star of the show despite the other exciting developments. The delay was worth the wait for a useful app like this.
It was clear from the audience's response that they had been eagerly awaiting this addition for a long time. Apple's PR chief, Greg Joswiak, even asked the crowd, "Just out of curiosity: Did anyone here really want a calculator?" Seems like the answer was a resounding "yes."
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During the WWDC, the audience was thrilled about Apple's announcement of a built-in calculator for iPad, but they were also intrigued by Apple's collaboration with OpenAI and the expansion of Vision Pro data glasses.
The new iPad calculator with Math Notes, using Apple Pencil for handwritten notes, AI to interpret and calculate math problems, and real-time formula manipulation, was compared to ChatGPT by some spectators at WWDC.
