iPad photographers might receive a camera button they never anticipated.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      I have always found it quite silly to take photos with an iPad or any other tablet. However, Apple seems committed to enhancing that experience. A recently granted patent by Apple, titled “Input System for Portable Electronic Device,” outlines a pressure-sensitive button capable of recognizing taps, swipes, and full presses.

      The technology is quite similar to the Camera Control introduced with the iPhone 16 series, and most of the patent's illustrations depict tablets instead of smartphones. While this doesn’t ensure that Camera Control will be integrated into an iPad, the patent contains numerous details that imply it might.

      Could Camera Control be expanded?

      Apple

      The system proposed by Apple incorporates two strain-sensing elements to determine where pressure is applied. A separate dome switch reacts to a stronger press, enabling the same control mechanism to differentiate various levels and types of input. Haptic feedback may enhance these interactions.

      This method mirrors the one used in the latest iPhones. It allows users to swiftly open the camera, take photos, record videos, and utilize lighter presses and swipes to adjust photographic settings. The patent specifies pressure thresholds of approximately 0.8 to 1.2 Newtons for the first level and 3.0 to 4.0 Newtons for the second. In its 20 illustrations and charts, AppleInsider noted that only three show iPhones, while tablets dominate the visuals.

      Is Camera Control meant for this device?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Camera Control has received varied feedback on the iPhone. There’s a strong case for its application on an iPad, particularly since the larger frame offers much more space for a touch-sensitive control. We’ve previously tried using an iPad Air as a primary camera, and the outcomes were far better than the common perception of tablet photography might indicate.

      A physical shutter control could simplify tasks like scanning documents, filming videos, adjusting zoom, or taking photos while holding the tablet horizontally, rather than reaching across a large touchscreen. Although Apple has not announced any intentions to implement Camera Control on an iPad, a granted patent does not assure that it ever will.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience covering consumer hardware, with a focus on…

      The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has recently appeared online, and Samsung seems unwilling to change a successful design.

      It looks like Samsung may retain the notch design for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra for another year.

      Leaks of Samsung’s upcoming flagship Android tablets have emerged again, providing what seems to be the clearest view yet of the front of both the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. SammyGuru has released renders of the two tablets showcasing their displays and bezels. The overall aesthetic is quite similar to last year’s Galaxy Tab S11 series, while the Ultra model continues to feature the shallow display notch that many had hoped Samsung would finally eliminate. Samsung has already confirmed that the Galaxy Tab S12 series will launch in the second half of 2026, with previous reports suggesting a September announcement.

      Read more

      Apple increases trade-in values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and some Android devices.

      The updated trade-in estimates come just weeks before Apple is anticipated to announce the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

      Apple is set to announce the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in the coming weeks. In anticipation of the launch, the company has boosted trade-in estimates for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watch models in the US. Additionally, a small selection of Android devices has been added to the list, including models from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.

      iPhone and iPad values rise across the board.

      Read more

      AT&T provides parents with a kids' tablet that allows them to keep their iPad.

      AT&T's updated kids’ tablet checks more boxes for parents, featuring 5G connectivity and all-day battery life.

      If handing your toddler an iPad has felt more like a risk than a convenience, AT&T offers a solution for that issue.

      So what’s new with this tablet?

      Read more