From a technical point of view, the iPad is nothing more than just a collection of parts that any company could slap together and package in a slim design. What makes the iPad unique is the software that makes everything in the iPad work. This software is called the operating system.

The iPad's operating system is nearly identical to the operating system used in the iPhone, which itself is a modified version of the operating system used to control the Macintosh computer. Every so often Apple will release new features and new software for your iPad—and you can get these new features by updating your iPad's operating system.

Changing or updating the operating system is like yanking out an old engine from your car and putting a new one in its place. Unlike changing the engine in your car, updating your iPad's operating system is easy enough for anyone to do.

In this chapter, you will learn how to update your iPad's operating system.