Photoshop Update Brings iPad App Closer To Its Desktop Counterpart

Admittedly, reproducing desktop features on a mobile device isn’t exactly straightforward. Some of these features require getting close to the metal in computer terms, so Adobe has to make sure they will work on the more resource-constrained iPad. It definitely helps that Apple’s processors have risen to the challenge, rivaling even some of Intel’s best in performance, especially when it comes to AI-powered features. Coincidentally, the new features coming to Photoshop on the iPad rely heavily on that technology.

Content-Aware Fill, Remove Background, and Select Subject, for example, make use of a lot of machine learning and AI models to intelligently analyze an object’s surroundings and separate the subject from the background. This can help make unwanted objects and people disappear and even automatically select around wisps of hair. These features have been massive time savers on the desktop, so iPad users will probably rejoice that they’re finally getting the same tools on mobile.

Other new features include automatic tone, color, and contrast adjustments, which are also present in Photoshop’s desktop app. A font browser is also coming to the iPad, making it easier to work with text and even load your own fonts to the tablet. Of course, many of these features require the cloud and an Adobe CC subscription, but Photoshop for iPad itself is free to try with some limited functionality.