iPadOS 26 is in many ways the major update that iPad power users have been asking for.And in a new interview at , software chief Craig Federighi explains why the iPad shouldn’t run macOS, how iPadOS 26 came to fruition, and more.New interview covers iPadOS 26, macOS on iPad, and more Federico Viticci, who has long pushed the iPad to its limits, sat down with Craig Federighi at WWDC for an interview about all things iPadOS 26.
The full interview has been published here as part of a larger story containing Viticci’s initial takes on the new iPad software.There are a lot of highlights in the full piece, but here are just a couple I want to highlight.Some vocal iPad users have called on Apple to bring macOS to the iPad.
But in a year where Apple has focused on unifying the platforms, that didn’t happen.Why not? In other words, Apple believes that bringing macOS to the iPad would mean forfeiting the unique reason each product exists separately.I can’t say I disagree.
On the topic of why iPadOS 26’s powerful windowing and multitasking features took so long, Federighi named a variety of factors: performance constraints in the iPad’s early days the value of power users’ feedback over the years and a hesitance to add Mac-like features from the start that might detract from the iPad’s real essence Speaking of the iPad’s essence, Federighi gives a great answer when Viticci asks, “What is an iPad in 2025?” Be sure to check out the full article at to get the answer.What are your takeaways from Federighi’s iPad remarks? Let us know in the comments.Best iPad accessories AirPods Pro 2 (now only $169, down from $249) 100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging Apple Pencil Pro tomtoc Tablet sleeve bag for protection and style Baseus 10ft USB-C cable for extended reach You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.
Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
