A few hours ago Apple released the first beta for developers of iOS 17.4, one of the biggest updates to iOS 17 that introduces big changes to the historical dynamics of iOS and iPadOS. However, the iOS 17.4 code has some new features that seem to have been hidden by Apple. Apparently the code shows a possible iPad with the Face ID camera in a horizontal position, like most tablets on the market. This camera would allow Face ID to be used both horizontally and vertically, but this change would be transcendental in the usual design of iPads.
Will we have an iPad with Face ID horizontally?: iOS 17.4 says yes
The iPads that we know from the beginning have always had a front camera in vertical format. That is, when we turned the device to the right or left, the camera was on one of the sides. This provision makes it difficult to orient the camera when making video calls in landscape format because the image that is captured is done from one of the sides and not from the front.
iOS 17.4 Beta 1 (21E5184i) changes:
1) Text hints at new iPads with horizontal Face ID Layout Even though it says 'iPad' this is most likely for the new iPad Pro due this March.
"During Face ID setup, iPad needs to be in landscape with the camera at the top of the screen."2) ... pic.twitter.com/NcmsH4J2NE
- Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) January 25, 2024
Apparently Apple has been testing an iPad with the camera horizontally as demonstrated by the internal code of the first beta of iOS 17.4. Inside the code The main clue that has been found is the following text:
Face ID needs to be in landscape/horizontal mode to learn to recognize you. Once set up, Face ID will work in both landscape and portrait.
Everything seems to indicate that this maneuver introduced within iOS 17.4 will be associated with the new iPad Pro that will be released in the month of March, more aimed at a professional audience and that would make more sense as it requires a more pronounced design change. However, we cannot draw conclusions either since perhaps this camera could remain in vertical format and have adapted the unlocking in horizontal Face ID format. Although taking into account the leaks around the new iPad we are likely to see a drastic modification to the current design.
Image - Apple Hub