Malcolm Owen
A sketchy rumor claims the 10th-generation iPad could gain two big changes, with Touch ID migrating to a side button while the FaceTime HD camera could move to another side of the display.
Apple is rumored to be preparing updates to its iPad lineup in October, including its entry-level model. Speculation in a report published on Monday suggests there could be a few big changes to the model's design.
In early August, supposedly leaked CAD data of the iPad's chassis put forward the idea that the model would be slightly wider than the ninth-gen model, and would be slightly slimmer as well. Unnamed Chinese sources of Macotakara seem to go along with the basic size details from that leak, but disagree on a few areas.
For a start, the render showed a typical Home button with Touch ID next to the screen, as well as thin bezels. The sources disagree about the button, insisting that the model instead adopts a side-button Touch ID system like the iPad mini.
There have been reports of the iPad's display growing from 10.2 inches, and eliminating the Home button would facilitate that change. Shifting it to a side button is also plausible, given Apple's previous use of the technique on other devices.
The report's sources also claim that there will be a big change to the FaceTime HD camera, in that it could change position. Currently, the iPad's camera is located midway along the opposite narrow edge to the position of the Home button.
The report sources says that the camera's position could change, with it put on the "right side." The reasoning behind the change is that the Center Stage reframing feature apparent works better when the device is placed horizontally in landscape orientation, and therefore moving the camera would make sense to better accommodate its usage.
Shifting the camera to a different side could be useful in that context, but it would be a very unusual move for Apple given its placement on all its other iPads and iPhones. Furthermore, with the camera using up part of the side bezel, that could be an issue if Apple supposedly shrinks the bezel size to accommodate a larger display.
With no other general rumors or leaks about the Touch ID or camera changes at the time of publication, it seems unlikely that the changes would be made. It would also be odd for Apple to include such a change in the entry-level iPad, when other models like the iPad Pro range are often used to introduce big hardware changes.
The report itself also tempers expectations on the rumors. In the text, it reminds readers it is "still expectation" and that exact details "remain unknown."
Rumors about Apple's hardware changes are expected to increase in pace in the coming weeks, ahead of Apple's expected September event as well as its iPad and Mac-centric October event.
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8 Comments
I’d be interested to know if anybody uses their iPad primarily in portrait orientation. The only time I have in more than a decade of pretty much daily iPad use has been when I was using FaceTime, and that’s because of the location of the camera. It seems very logical for Apple to move the camera position, arguably overdue. It makes even more sense when you think about the way Smart Covers and detachable keyboard stands work, which is exclusively in landscape orientation, as far as I know. But phones are mostly used in portrait orientation, so I wouldn’t expect that to change.
I,d like to have it for my iPad Pro 12,9. So that when I am using Magic Keyboard the camera would be in the middle at the top (landscape mode).
Put the camera on the long axis!!!
And while they're at it, offer the option for the wireless charging sound to observer your focus mode without having to use the physical slider (which remains on the morning if you forget to set it back) If I'm in sleep mode, no charge sound (as an option) It's annoying as you're winding down, and is loud enough to disturb spouse/whoever...
And I know the "open the camera app" first workaround, but why should anyone have to do that...
I use the iPad in portrait mode when viewing web pages or reading, on the bus for example when I am holding it in my hand. So the current camera is at the top.
at a desk it is pretty much landscape. The camera is on the side, regardless if I am typing or have it set up for viewing, just which side is swapped around.
A camera for both portrait and landscape would be good. The risk of course, is depending on your case, which longside is on top in which circumstances. And that might change depending on placement. When typing on the screen keyboard, for example, the left long side is on top as the left side is angled up over the folded back case cover. But just for viewing, with the iPad case cover folded back as a base stand it is the right long side in top. If a landscape camera is only on the left side you end up with nostril cam like those Dell XPS laptops back in the day. To cover most scenarios you would need three cameras.
maybe in in each top corner?