Video showing iOS 18's 'math notes' feature in action sparks fiery debate about the next generation's future
Apple has upped its game for maths wizzes.
The tech giant launched its big reveal last week, dropping its new iPhone 16 range, a new version of AirPods and the Apple Watch Series 10.
But another area of Apple's tech evolution is shocking people after one person posted on Reddit about the surprising AI capabilities of its iPad when it comes to maths.
It's become a device that saves you from bringing up your Calculator app or digging through old-school boxes for your Casio.
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On the subreddit, interestingasf**k, user TheMillieDWay shared a clip showing someone writing out calculations on an iPad, starting with some basic addition and then moving to more complex problems that would usually take some time (and pen and paper) to solve.
But within seconds of writing the problems, the device provided the answers.
Some queries even involved generating graphs for linear equations and solving logarithmic equations.
Turns out, this feature is actually part of the iPad’s Notes app, thanks to the rollout of iOS 18.
Apple’s official website explains: "With iPadOS 18, Calculator comes to iPad with Math Notes, along with new handwriting tools in Notes — all designed for Apple Pencil.
It goes on to say: "An all-new Math Notes calculator allows users to type or write out mathematical expressions and see them instantly solved in their own handwriting.
"With a new graphing feature, users can write or type an equation and insert a graph with just one tap, and can even add multiple equations on the same graph to see how they relate."
Naturally, people on the subreddit are wondering what tech like this means for future generations.
"Super cool use of AI and is really gonna make the whole “you don’t have a calculator in your pocket” conversation even worse," one user commented.
"Super cool if they could put some work in on their mail, calendar, and map apps…" another added.
Some were more impressed with the handwriting recognition than the math feature itself.
"The more interesting to me is the fact it is capable of reading handwritten characters effortlessly than the ability to perform basic math calculations computers can do for decades," one person said, which made others more sceptical.
"That‘s the AI part," one wrote in response.
"Problem is, it can get it wrong sometimes. It‘s pretty good, but it‘s not faultless."
Others took a more humorous approach: "Jokes on you, my handwriting is so bad it would never be able to recognize what’s on the screen."
Not everyone was blown away, though: "Huawei and Xiaomi tablets have this feature years ago. This is not a New thing".