Your iPad is getting a blockbuster Apple update this week and it's the biggest ever

It’s only a few days until Apple’s iPad ceases to run iOS in favour of a new operating system.

Since its inception, the tablet has come pre-installed with the same operating system present on the American firm’s iPhone range.

But this week Apple will release a new platform for the iPad that looks set to dramatically increase its functionality.

Aptly named iPadOS, the software looks extremely similar to iOS but boasts additional functionality specifically engineered to take advantage of the iPad’s added screen real estate, power and Apple Pencil support.

iPadOS is immediately discernible for its new home screen – it’s been redesigned to show more apps and give quick access to widgets for apps such as Calendar, Weather and Photos.

Apple has also revamped multitasking on the iPad with two new features it’s calling Split View and Side Over – both of which should allow fans to easily work with different apps simultaneously.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is also inciting users to be much more productive on the illustrious tablet series with a new Files app.

The programme now has iCloud Drive support for folder sharing and is compatible with external devices such as a USB drive or an SD card.

In its bid to make the iPad an extremely temping PC replacement, Apple is also claiming the new operating system supports desktop-class browsing with its homegrown client, Safari.

Desktop versions of websites should be displayed when surfing the web now – once again taking advantage of the tablet’s huge screen.

The Apple Pencil is also getting some love with the firm’s new iPadOS update.

The stylus can now be harnessed to annotate webpages, emails or documents.

What’s more, a swipe with the Pencil from the corner of the iPad’s screen can be used to send marked up items.

iPadOS also has a cavalcade of other features that are worth shouting about – like a Dark Mode, new text editing tools and a refreshed Photos app.

The operating system was initially meant to debut on September 30 – however Apple has since brought its release date forward to September 24.

That means on Tuesday your tablet will be granted its biggest change ever.

Here is a full list of supported devices for iPadOS:

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro

• 11-inch iPad Pro

• 10.5-inch iPad Pro

• 9.7-inch iPad Pro

• iPad (7th generation)

• iPad (6th generation)

• iPad (5th generation)

• iPad mini (5th generation)

• iPad mini 4

• iPad Air (3rd generation)

• iPad Air 2

source: express.co.uk