Universal Control Sneaks Into the Latest Betas
Picture this: your iPad and Mac can now share the same mouse and keyboard, switch back and forth like a pair of best friends, all thanks to a feature that has quietly slipped into the newest beta releases of iPadOS and macOS.
Where to Find It
- On the iPad (iPadOS 15.4 β):
Settings > AirPlay & Handoff > Cursor and Keyboard - On the Mac (macOS Monterey 12.3 β):
System Settings > Displays > Advanced
Why This Is a Big Deal
Universal Control basically turns your iPad into a glorified second monitor without any cables or extra software. Just point the mouse, type on the keyboard, and boom—works on both devices.
What Happens Next?
If Apple keeps rolling out this trick to the public, expect a smoother workflow for everyone who likes to juggle multiple Apple devices.
Universal Control: Apple’s Seamless Multidevice Magic
Apple’s Universal Control lets you tap into the power of your iCloud family—think iPad and Mac, both logged into the same account, sharing one keyboard and trackpad. Picture this: you’re drafting a killer article on your Mac and, with a swift swipe, you jump to the iPad to shoot off a last‑minute email—all with a single, trusty keyboard.
What’s the Big Deal?
- Cross‑Device Harmony: No more juggling between keyboards or buying separate accessories.
- Instant Switching: Move the pointer from your Mac to your iPad or vice versa as naturally as you would glide between screens.
- Unified Input: One keyboard, one mouse, one CEO—your entire workflow comes together and stays in sync.
Timeline & Tweaks
Apple first teased Universal Control at the 2023 WWDC, promising a fall rollout. However, manufacturing hiccups slipped the launch into spring 2022, giving users more time to expect a buttery‑smooth experience.
Why the Delay?
The ride from idea to reality is like an iOS update—needs the right bits. Apple’s shuffling of the release was merely a tweak in the recipe to ensure all parts are ready before you bring the sauce to the table.
