Apple dropped the iOS 17.4 beta, packed with exciting features like app sideloading and significant updates in compliance with EU antitrust regulations. However, a curious discovery by 9to5Mac within the beta hints at an unreleased iPad model sporting a landscape-oriented Face ID camera.
A Sneak Peek at the New iPad with Landscape Front Camera in iOS 17.4 Beta
Deep dives into the internal files of iOS 17.4 beta by 9to5Mac reveal intriguing details about a forthcoming iPad model. This iPad iteration seems to boast a TrueDepth camera, primarily used for Face ID, strategically positioned at the top edge when the device is in landscape mode.
Presently, all iPad Pro variants with Face ID have their cameras placed on the side in landscape orientation, leading to awkward angles during video calls. This setup poses a challenge, especially when the iPad is docked horizontally onto the Magic Keyboard.
Even the setup process for Face ID on this new iPad has been revamped. A system string states, “Face ID needs to be in landscape to learn how to recognize you,” emphasizing the requirement for a landscape orientation during setup. Once configured, Face ID seamlessly functions in both portrait and landscape modes, as indicated by another system message.
Currently, only the 10th generation iPad boasts a landscape front camera, albeit with Touch ID instead of Face ID. This discovery fuels speculation that Apple may soon unveil a revamped iPad Pro model.
What to Expect from the Next-Generation iPad Pro
Insider reports, including those from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, hint at Apple’s development of redesigned accessories for the upcoming iPad Pro, hinting at a potential overhaul in the iPad’s design. Additionally, rumors swirl about the integration of MagSafe technology into the iPad Pro, alongside whispers of an OLED display and expanded storage options.
Gurman’s forecasts align with expectations of new iPad releases around March, coinciding with the anticipated public rollout of iOS 17.4. As excitement builds, Apple aficionados eagerly anticipate the unveiling of the next-generation iPad Pro and the innovative features it may bring.
