Craig Federighi says iPadOS created because iPad is now a 'truly distinct experience'
The splintering of the iPad-specific "iPadOS" from the iPhone's "iOS" is due to it being a "truly distinct experience" separate from the company's other platforms, according to Apple's Craig Federighi in a post-WWDC keynote interview.

Among the announcements relating to its operating systems, Apple revealed it was making a major change to iOS that would refine its purpose. Rather than continuing to combine iPhone and iPad under one operating system, Apple launched iPadOS as its own version just for the tablet line, offering more features than iOS that take advantage of the bigger screen size.
"It's become a truly distinct experience," said Apple senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi in comments made to CNET on Monday. "It's not an iPhone experience. It's not a Mac experience. The name is a recognition of that."
The shift in attitude in using iPads for work instead of notebooks has opened up possibilities for people to accomplish tasks. While not directly calling iPadOS and iPads a replacement for the traditional notebook, Federighi suggested "we've expanded the domain where people can say the iPad is the best solution" with the launch of the new operating system.
When asked about his computing needs, Federighi advised he used both iPad and Mac for his work, as he manages teams that produces software for both platforms. On a personal level, Federighi admits he's spending more time with an iPad.
AppleInsider will be reporting live throughout WWDC 2019, starting with the keynote on Monday, June 3. Get every announcement as it happens by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and by making sure to follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider, Facebook and Instagram.

Among the announcements relating to its operating systems, Apple revealed it was making a major change to iOS that would refine its purpose. Rather than continuing to combine iPhone and iPad under one operating system, Apple launched iPadOS as its own version just for the tablet line, offering more features than iOS that take advantage of the bigger screen size.
"It's become a truly distinct experience," said Apple senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi in comments made to CNET on Monday. "It's not an iPhone experience. It's not a Mac experience. The name is a recognition of that."
The shift in attitude in using iPads for work instead of notebooks has opened up possibilities for people to accomplish tasks. While not directly calling iPadOS and iPads a replacement for the traditional notebook, Federighi suggested "we've expanded the domain where people can say the iPad is the best solution" with the launch of the new operating system.
When asked about his computing needs, Federighi advised he used both iPad and Mac for his work, as he manages teams that produces software for both platforms. On a personal level, Federighi admits he's spending more time with an iPad.
AppleInsider will be reporting live throughout WWDC 2019, starting with the keynote on Monday, June 3. Get every announcement as it happens by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and by making sure to follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider, Facebook and Instagram.
Comments
Will the number of pundits who swear that Apple is merging their operating systems increase or decrease?
Though I am excited about being able to import photos directly into Lightroom. A download manager sounds mighty useful as well.
I can’t wait for the improvements to the OS that should solve many of the issues that make working on the iPad a bit clunky. When I’m in my office, I’ll generally use both my iMac and iPP simultaneously, with my iPad running apps that work better than their web-based versions and the iMac manages email and safari work.
i just won a free 10” display for my Macbook Pro!
I use a 12.9” iPad Pro daily and haven’t ever had that issue since it first came out.
I have to charge it about once every five days and it typically happens overnight so not an issue I have. YMMV.
3-finger pinch, 3-finger unpinch, 3-finger swipe. If 3 new gestures are confusing I’m concerned there may be bigger issues here. Which quality mobile devices will you be switching to? I’m a customer and much of what was shown yesterday seemed like they were listening to me.
I really don't care what they call it, I hope they continue to improve and mature i(pad)OS to make workflows better and easier. There is a lot you can do on an iPad, it is just that it is frequently significantly more cumbersome and awkward than working on a Mac. Maybe chaining the name will also cut the imaginary cord between the iPad and the iPhone to make things easier?
Between me, my wife and our kids, we have several iPads in our house and have rarely, if ever had them rotate spontaneously. To the contrary, they seem to be more accurate than my cousin's android tablet in terms of getting the orientation right. Regardless, you can always use the rotation lock. Have you brought it in to have someone look at it?
To be honest, reading your rant, your rationale seems a bit suspect.