Apple’s macOS Catalina Could Turn iPad Into A Secondary Display

Apple has just announced macOS Catalina, the upcoming update for Macs, and has unveiled one of its key features that will appeal to creators, particularly those who work at graphics design.

Apple announced that a new feature called “Sidecar” is coming to macOS Catalina, The Verge reported. Sidecar turns an iPad into a secondary display for use with the Mac, similar to some other third-party options like Luna Display. Users who use Sidecar can connect their iPads to their Macs with or without a wired connection.

Creative device

Sidecar doesn’t simply turn the iPad into another monitor where users can watch videos or other things while doing things on the Mac’s main display. With Sidecar, iPads can also be used as an input device using the Apple Pencil, sort of like what a stylus and Wacom tablet does -- with the added convenience of wireless connectivity.

Sidecar features a sidebar where users can access some commonly used controls or tools, with some modifier keys that enable shortcuts in pro apps, allowing users to undo as well as display or hide the menu bar, Dock, and keyboard right from their iPads.

Sidecar also provides Touch Bar support even if the Mac an iPad is connected to does not have the feature.

With Sidecar, users will be given the opportunity to express their creativity in an easier, more convenient way. They can draw on their iPads and see it mirrored in real time on their Mac and MacBook displays.

The new feature also allows for more creative uses. Now, users can also write and sketch on PDF files using the Apple pencil. They can also sketch anything on their iPad and insert it directly into any document they have on the Mac.

New evidence proving the imminent release of a new iPad Pro has been leaked online. Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

Supported apps

Mac and MacBook users might wonder what apps will take advantage of the said feature. Apple said it “just works” with apps, adding that “Developers don’t need to do anything for Sidecar support.” Developers, however, can customize how the Apple Pencil works on their apps.

Here’s a list of apps that are supported by Sidecar: