The rumored foldable iPad from Apple might make significant progress in concealing the screen island.

      LunaDisplay

      Rumors surrounding a foldable all-screen Apple device have been circulating for some time — some refer to it as a MacBook, while others see it as an iPad. Today, 9To5Mac noted a leak from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, suggesting there is a prototype of this enigmatic foldable featuring Face ID technology concealed beneath the display.

      The translations of the leak, initially shared in Chinese, describe a “metal super-structured lens” that incorporates “Face ID Rx and Tx” for under-screen 3D facial recognition. Apple already holds patents for this technology, which makes it clear why the company is pursuing it — to eliminate the notorious notch or “dynamic island” that currently affects iPhone, MacBook, and iPad models.

      The notch exists because the infrared used for Face ID struggles to penetrate a display, making it challenging to achieve high-quality imaging when the lens is obstructed. An Apple patent indicates that visible light transmission through screens can drop below 20%. If Apple can find a way to increase light transmission, then components like cameras, ambient light sensors, and proximity sensors could function while being hidden beneath the display. However, it remains uncertain how many of the sensors in the Dynamic Island are concealed in this new prototype.

      This graphic from an Apple patent illustrates the number of display layers light must pass through to reach a sensor.

      There is a collective anticipation for the end of the infamous notch, even though we have adapted to it for now. With each new iPhone release, someone speculates if this will be the model to forgo the notch — but realistically, accomplishing this is quite challenging. Still, if this leak turns out to be accurate, this technology could significantly contribute to reducing the Dynamic Island and potentially lead to much smaller notches in the near future.

      Willow Roberts has been a Computing Writer at Digital Trends for a year and has been active in writing for about a decade.

      Could the Vision Pro replace your iPad? There's just one issue

      Since its release in early February, there has been considerable discussion about how Apple’s Vision Pro might supplant some of the company’s other devices, particularly the iPad. Now, notable leaker Mark Gurman has weighed in, adding credence to the notion that the headset could serve as a tablet replacement. Yet, despite the plausibility of this idea, there remains one significant hurdle: the price. While Gurman's Power On newsletter highlights the Vision Pro's strengths, it cannot sidestep the major barrier posed by the device's $3,500 price tag. If the Vision Pro is indeed meant to succeed the iPad, considerable changes will be necessary, especially given the broad price spectrum of the iPad lineup.

      The iPad killer?

      MacBooks may soon lag behind the iPad Pro in this crucial aspect

      The ongoing balance between the Mac and the iPad may soon experience another shift. Reports indicate both the MacBook Air and iPad Pro are set for updates this spring, enhancing performance with the new M3 chip. However, a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that a new "landscape Face ID camera" could be developed for the iPad Pro, potentially diminishing one of the primary advantages that MacBooks have over iPads. As video calls become a dominant mode of communication, the iPad Pro may prove to be a significantly better laptop alternative in this upcoming generation.

      The dream experience

      When the iPad outperforms my PC as a computer

      Can the iPad function as a legitimate computer? I know that I’m not the first to pose this question, but it’s my first time asking myself. Everyone’s expectations for a "real" computer vary, and I haven’t fully explored its capabilities.

      I’m using an 11-inch iPad Pro powered by an 8-core CPU/10-core GPU Apple M2 chip, which provides an impressive amount of performance for a tablet. Recently, I have incorporated a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, giving it a resemblance to a conventional laptop. While there are still limitations, with these additions, I was surprised by how effectively the iPad Pro can function as a computer.

      What defines a real computer, anyway?