This clever iPadOS 26.4 feature brings it ever closer to the Mac and that makes me worried

Date:
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:27:20 +0000

Description:
The iPadOS 26.4 update adds a new Mac-like feature that could spell confusion if you want a cheap laptop.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
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your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter iPadOS 26.4 has a new feature that helps users find hidden app windows It
adds another Mac-like element to the tablet operating system But the Mac-ification of the iPad could cause unnecessary confusion In recent years, Apple has steadfastly refused to say its merging the iPad and Mac , all while increasing the overlap between its iPadOS and macOS operating systems. With the launch of iPadOS 26.4 in March, that was strengthened even further. But
Im concerned that it blurs the lines a little too much and risks confusing Apple fans as a result.

In this case, were talking about a new feature in iPadOS 26.4 that makes it easier to locate your open windows. The original version of iPadOS 26 added support for running multiple app windows on your iPad, but the problem was that you could lose track of them if you had too many open. In iPadOS 26.4, though, thats all changed. Now, you'll see a little popup appear over an apps icon if it has multiple windows open. The popup will say X Hidden Windows (with X being the number of windows) and Show All Windows written below. Just click the popup and all that apps existing windows will be shown on-screen. Its a quick and handy way to keep track of your app windows without losing them over the course of your day. Article continues below You may like
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This is definitely more of a feature for iPad power users than something most people will need on a day-to-day basis, as I suspect the majority of iPad users never open more than one app window at a time, never mind lose track of them. Yet despite the useful nature of this feature, Im concerned that it might muddy the waters between Apples devices. The MacBook Neo dilemma (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Adding support for multiple windows is definitely
a desktop-like feature and helps the iPad feel more akin to one of Apples
best Macs than a tablet. Throw in a compatible mouse and keyboard and the tablet can easily double up as a laptop, with some caveats .

A few years ago, that was all well and good the iPad could serve as an affordable laptop alternative for people who didnt want to shell out $999 or more for a MacBook. But with the launch of the MacBook Neo , thats all changed.

Now, you just need to pay $599 / 599 / AU$899 and you get a legitimate laptop that punches well above its weight. In a world like this, why would you need an iPad that moonlights as a MacBook? The only reason I can think of is that you like the tablet form factor. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Yet that doesnt change the fact that Apple is making its iPads more Mac-like when theres a perfect good and affordable substitute in the form of the MacBook Neo. If you want an entry-level device, youve now got to choose between the MacBook Neo and the iPad, and that feels like a needlessly confusing situation. Should you get an iPad or a MacBook Neo? Thats a
question that users are increasingly going to have to ask themselves.

Evidently, though, its a state of affairs that Apple is comfortable with. As the recent iPadOS 26.4 update demonstrates, the company is still bringing Mac-esque features to its iPads, even after the MacBook Neo was revealed and even as it denies that the two systems are being combined . That makes it
look like this perplexing overlap is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tablets/ipad/this-clever-ipados-26-4-feature-brings- it-ever-closer-to-the-mac-and-that-makes-me-worried


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