Updating is OPTIONAL at this point. MDS Tech has not tested the new OS just yet, but we anticipate there will be only a few issues since we have been updating the iPad apps as they come out.

Note that students must update iPads AT HOME – the OS updates do not work on the student network.

Here’s a synopsis of the major changes in IOS 17, taken from a variety of sources:

• Personalize your lock screen – there are new wallpaper options, interactive widgets, and Live Activities of various sorts. There are also more options for fonts, styles, and colors for your lock screen.
  •  Create a custom iPad Lock Screen
• Interactive Widgets – you can tap a widget to check off a to-do list item, play a new podcast episode, and more
  • See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad
• iPadOS 17 helps protect your vision by reminding you to move your device farther away if you have been using it for an extended period of time.
  • See Help protect your vision health with Screen Distance on iPad.
• Autocorrected text are highlighted as you type so you know what has been changed – tap on the word to change it back. Predictive text, where the OS guesses the words you are about to type, can be approved by hitting the space bar.
  • See Enter text using the onscreen keyboard and Use predictive text on iPad.
• FreeForm app – this app is a great tool to use along with Natobility. There are new drawing tools [watercolor brush, calligraphy pen, highlighter, variable width pen] and a ruler. You can also collaborate with others live.
  • See Draw or handwrite on a Freeform board on iPad and View others in a board.
• Notes can easily view PDFS and scans, and you can add links.
  • See Work with PDFs in Notes on iPad and Add links in Notes on iPad.
• The Tips app has even more suggestions
  • See Get tips.
• The Health app is new to iPadOS, although it has been on the iPhone for some time. It can help you monitor your health and fitness.
  • Get started with Health on iPad – Apple Support

Sources:

• What’s new in iPadOS 17 – Apple Support
• iPadOS 17 brings new levels of personalization and versatility to iPad – Apple