Tell you several hidden iPad secrets that will change your life

Every year, Apple releases a new version of the operating system that runs the iPad. And with each new version, features are introduced that can increase productivity by helping you do certain tasks faster and more efficiently. There’s only one problem: not everyone knows about them. Here are a few of the secret features that arrived with the original iPad.

Tap the Title Bar

We’ll start with a secret tip that can really help speed up your ability to manipulate your iPad. Have you ever scrolled down a long list or been at the bottom of a large web page and needed to get back to the top? There’s no need to scroll. Most of the time you can tap the title bar of the app or web page to return to the beginning of the list. This works with most apps and most web pages, although not every web page is designed to be iPad-friendly.

Skip the Apostrophe

Skipping the apostrophe is also a great time-saver and ranks as our number one keyboard tip. The auto-correct feature on the iPad can be quite annoying, but at times it can also save you some time by doing the typing for you. The coolest trick is the ability to insert an apostrophe for most contractions like can’t and won’t. Simply type the words without the apostrophe and auto-correct will usually insert it for you.

The Virtual Touchpad

Possibly the number one thing people miss about their desktop computers is the mouse. The ability to tell your tablet what to do by touching the screen is great for ordinary uses, but when you want to do a lot of typing, the ability to move the cursor with a touchpad or mouse is…well, there are few substitutes.

This might be why Apple added a virtual touchpad to the iPad’s on-screen keyboard. This often-overlooked secret can make a world of distance if you frequently create long messages or lists using the iPad. Simply hold two or more fingers down on the on-screen keyboard and move your fingers without lifting them from the display and a cursor within the text will move with your fingers.

Open Apps and Find Music and Quickly Using Spotlight Search

Did you know the iPad has a universal search feature? There’s no need to go hunting through pages and pages of apps for just the right one. Spotlight Search can find music, videos, contacts, apps, and more on your device. It even suggests websites to visit.

You can launch Spotlight Search by swiping down with your finger while on the Home Screen. Any time you are on the Home Screen (i.e. not inside an app or using Siri), you can swipe down to initiate a Spotlight Search. The key here is to swipe down somewhere in the middle of the screen. If you swipe from the very top of the display, you’ll open the Notification Center.

Garage Band, iMovie, and iWork

Did you know a whole suite of secret apps come with the iPad? For the last few years, Apple has made the iWork and iLife suite of apps free for those who buy a new tablet. These apps include:

Pages, a word-processing app.
Numbers, a spreadsheet.
Keynote, an app for giving presentations.
GarageBand, a music studio with virtual instruments.
iMovie, video-editing software that comes with some fun templates.
Find out what other apps come with the iPad.