4 unique iPad features that help me use the tablet more efficiently

I started thinking about how I could use it more efficiently before I used it more effectively. Maybe I could take some of the features it already has and cater them to my needs. That's when I dug deep to look at some efficiency tricks that my iPad offers.

Using Split View as a picture in picture

I miss this setting on my TV

Split View doesn't work on many streaming platforms like Netflix and Peacock.

Remember that there used to be a PIP button on your TV remote? This would start a picture in picture setting on your screen that would allow you to watch two different things at once. You can do that with Split View on your iPad. Split View lets you multitask by doing two things at once. It's incredibly easy to enable. At the top of any eligible app that you open on your iPad, you'll see three dots. If you tap on them, you'll be able to choose how you want Split View to look. You can put that app on the left or right side.

If you go into Settings and choose Split View, you'll be able to opt into having Picture in Picture automatically happen. Once you do that, you can populate two apps at once and then one of them can be moved to a smaller window in the Split View option. I've used this frequently to do work and watch YouTube videos. You can also use this for watching a video podcast and balancing a budget (just a few examples). It's a great way for multitasking and lets me only pay attention slightly as I'm working.

Move around your iPad with a virtual trackpad

Zig and zag around your screen

Trying to select text or copy things while you're using an iPad is not easy. You have to use two hands most of the time to try and do anything like dragging the cursor around the screen. The iPad is great for a lot of things. Functionally dropping and dragging things isn't one of them. You probably miss the trackpad on your laptop in those instances.

You can create a virtual trackpad on your iPad for times like this. This is found in the AssistiveTouch settings. You're able to expand it and fit in into whatever area of the screen you want. Not only can you use it to maneuver your way around your iPad, but you can also set specific tasks to the trackpad. This basically creates a one-touch button that you can use to open up more options in your iPad. It's creating a cheat code for getting around. By adding this, you can do more gestures on it like you do on a MacBook, such as using four fingers to go Home or a two-finger pinch to zoom in and out.

Customize the Control Center

Get more of what you want with a quick swipe

Just like you have on an iPhone, if you swipe down on the right side of the screen on an iPad, the Control Center populates. You can do quick things like turn the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and off, adjust the screen brightness, turn on the flashlight and more. But, if you want to make your Control Center more personalized, you can adjust the settings that are in there. You don't have to look at the battery level of your AirPods if you don't want to.

The iPad is great for a lot of things. Functionally dropping and dragging things isn't one of them.

There is a green + button in the top left corner of the Control Center. If you click that, it will cause all the icons to jiggle, which means you can either remove them, move them, or add another function to the bottom in one of the empty slots. From there, you can alter how the Control Center looks based on which apps you want to use more frequently. If you haven't used one, just get rid of it and add one you do. It saves you time from having to open up the app or even search on the home screen to tap it. You can also access the Control Center when the iPad is locked.

Launching apps with voice commands

Put Siri to good use

Everyone who has an Apple device knows about Siri. Apple's virtual assistant can help answer questions for you. You probably have asked Siri about the weather or what the score of your favorite sports team's game is. But you can also use Siri to open up apps. You have to enable the setting to get Siri to start up when you say either "Siri" or "Hey Siri." You can also enable the feature by holding down the Power button on the side of the iPad.

For me, I liked having Siri populate what was being asked, so I could make sure that the assistant understood what I was asking. As long as I know exactly what the app is called, asking Siri to open it happens very quickly. This comes in clutch if you're across the room doing something else and want "her" to open up an app so you can check it out. I've used this many times while using the iPad as a monitor.