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- Apple announced the new iPad (10th Gen) on Tuesday. The device features a bigger screen, 5G support, and a more powerful processor.
- Apple finally has a fixed front camera placement, which is the best thing about the new iPad.
- The new iPad’s front camera is on the right side of the screen. This means video calls will look much better.
Apple unintentionally announced three new iPad models this week. Two versions of the iPad Pro and one version of the classic iPad.
And although the new iPad (10th generation) comes with a few exciting upgrades — An internal chip with a faster processor, a USB port and 5G support — the best update we’ve seen so far involves the front camera.
Most iPads have a terrible front camera placement
Like the iPhone, there are two cameras on the iPad: one main camera at the back and one “selfie” camera at the front.
Problem is, when you are taking FaceTime calls or filming videos most people prefer to hold the iPad horizontally, in landscape mode. This will give you the best screen space to see other people.
Apple has always placed the iPad’s front-facing camera at the top, however. This is the most inconvenient place to have a selfie cam on a tablet. Landscape mode is almost impossible because of this.
FaceTiming someone using the selfie camera is difficult because you can’t focus on the screen and it will look like you are staring into space. To look natural, you must stare straight into the camera. This means you are not looking at the other person.
William Antonelli/Insider
You can only do this by holding your iPad in portrait mode. This is awkward and won’t allow you to fit as much in the frame. It also doesn’t work well with many iPad stands.
Apple introduced Center Stage, an AI feature that allows the camera to follow your movements as you move. This doesn’t solve the eye contact problem and, frankly, it looks weird.
Zoom; William Antonelli/Insider
For a long time, users have been complaining about this. Apple has addressed this issue with its new iPad (10th Generation).
Apple has finally fixed the iPad front camera
The latest iPad has both a rear and front camera. But the front camera isn’t at the top of the screen anymore — it’s on the side of the screen.
Landscape videos will look a lot better. There is no need to choose between viewing the screen or looking natural.
Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
There is a tradeoff between making calls and recording videos. portraitIt’s not as easy to switch modes anymore. This is frustrating in itself. In a perfect world, Apple would give the iPad two front cameras — one on top and one on the side — so you could take calls in any position.
The selfie camera should be placed on the sidebar of the iPad’s display until then. We hope future iPad Pro and iPad Air models include this feature.
