Alleged Leaked Image of Case for Redesigned iPad Pro Shows Mysterious Rear Cutout Above Lightning Connector

[RedGala]

My guess is that this is for TouchID on the back of the iPad. If Apple wasn’t able to get FaceID to work reliably in multiple orientations, and still wants to ship an iPad with iPhone X-style bezels, then this is the next best alternative.

I wouldn’t blame them for the decision, since having FaceID on such a large device means that the dot projector needs a *much wider* angle of reach to see your face, and even then, it’s likely that users on iPads will use the device in a position where their face is not directly facing the screen.

*I’d bet money on this if betting wasn’t silly*

 

[Dave245]

My guess is that this is for TouchID on the back of the iPad. If Apple wasn’t able to get FaceID to work reliably in multiple orientations, and still wants to ship an iPad with iPhone X-style bezels, then this is the next best alternative.

I wouldn’t blame them for the decision, since having FaceID on such a large device means that the dot projector needs a *much wider* angle of reach to see your face, and even then, it’s likely that users on iPads will use the device in a position where their face is not directly facing the screen.

*I’d bet money on this if betting wasn’t silly*

They won't put Touch ID on a device that has Face ID, this is Apple they will have worked out how to put in Face ID or they would of delayed it. Touch ID makes no sense on the back of the iPad just like last year when everyone was saying that Apple will put Touch ID on the back of the iPhone's.

I think this is either fake or it's something to do with an accessory.

 

[T-Bob]

I honestly have no issues with it, it’s a few milliseconds slower than Touch ID 2, but I have had too many issues with my home buttons to where I’ve wanted them gone for years.

*To everyone not happy about the possibility of Face ID only working in portrait mode... I honestly wouldn’t mind having to turn my iPad in portrait to unlock it. To me that issue is totally a first world problem.


Kallum.

Might not be a problem in your use case, not would it be in mine (but slightly annoying still). But imagine having a landscape Pad, especially the 12.9" on a table with the keyboard, and having to portrait it each time? Thats unacceptable.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Great, more holes. I got my iPhone X wet and it destroyed it last weekend. Screen will not come back on anymore and there was no broken glass or scratches for a perfect trade-in.

 

[SurferPup]

AR sensor otherwise I'm going with a projector to watch The Simpons holographically.

 

[x-evil-x]

they wouldn't ever release an iPad without horizontal Face ID

 

[zep0008]

Intrigue: 100

 

[PlainviewX]

Still haven't figured out to get Face ID to work horizontally? This shouldn't be a difficult problem to solve.

 

[zep0008]

Clean your camera lenses regularly, people! Especially you leakers!

Yeah, I've always found it pretty annoying that most leaks seem to be shot on a toaster. You'd think in this day and age when the majority of people have 4K cameras in their pocket there would be more high quality leaks.

 

[atlatnesiti]

they wouldn't ever release an iPad without horizontal Face ID

Correct,

 

[zep0008]

Apple just announce an event and reveal a new iPad Pro already! Geez.

Predictions:

• iPhone event will be announced on August 30-31, to be held on September 12 at 10 AM PST
• At event they will reveal: Apple Watch Series 4, new Mac Mini, new iPad Pros, new iPhones (duh), and AirPower
• AirPower, Apple Watch Series 4, and all 3 new iPhones will release on the 21st of September
• iPad Pros and Mac Mini will release in October
• EDIT: Also a new MacBook Air, to release in October

 

[ctg7w6]

I’m still waiting on part leaks to come out of the factory.

But maybe the screen is so big, it’s tough to sneak out a full size screen without a home button but with a notch.

That’s really what we are all waiting for I would imagine.
[doublepost=1535105604][/doublepost]

I doubt it. Apple has said repeatedly Face ID is the future.

I bet in two years or less even Macs will ditch Touch ID and incorporate Face ID. Makes even more sense on computers.

A little annoyed that only last year did I get a Mac with Touch ID and I thought it was awesome. Once I got Face ID I can barely stand Touch ID anymore. Love love love Face ID!

 

[h3nrch]

Why is everyone assuming that a new iPad Pro will use an old SmartKeyboard?

IF this is a new SmartConnector, it could be accompanied by a new and improved SmartKeyboard with support for multiple viewing angles and/or separate contact areas for both orientations. I can only imagine this working if such a connector slightly protrudes from the device to touch some kind of linear inductive contact area.

OTH, why would a 3rd party rear case require a cutout for a first party SmartKeyboard?

 

[iapplelove]

A little annoyed that only last year did I get a Mac with Touch ID and I thought it was awesome. Once I got Face ID I can barely stand Touch ID anymore. Love love love Face ID!

My thoughts exactly. I’m still finding that those most against Face ID are those that have never used it for any length of time if at all.

 

[barkomatic]

Maybe the iPad Pro will have both Face ID for vertical orientation but will retain Touch ID for horizontal orientation.

 

[Delgibbons]

Put in a horizontal AND vertical notch. Problem solved.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Two smart connectors would mean that the iPad Pro could be used in landscape or portrait mode with a keyboard or for charging. Makes a lot of sense.

I agree, having two smart connector options (landscape & portrait) for the smart keyboard makes sense. What doesn’t make sense however is moving the old smart connector to the right side next to the volume control buttons. How are you suppose to access those buttons if the ipad is attached to the smart keyboard in landscape now?!

 

[jonnyb098]

I can't believe this is the smart connector, it just doesn't make any sense to force users to put the screen to portrait orientation to use a keyboard and I certainly wouldn't want to watch videos in portrait orientation using the keyboard cover as a stand. The new iPad has to have horizontal Face ID.

I also doubt this has anything to do with wireless charging. IF, and this is a really big if, the new iPad has wireless charing, the coil is going to have to closer to the diameter of a Coke can and it would be able to work through a thin iPad cover - no need for a cut out in the case.

I also don't think it is Touch ID. The "pill" shape is not very tall and when you take the thickness of the case into account, it wouldn't to allow much surface area of a finger to actually touch the surface of the iPad through the cutout.

I think Apple is getting ready to surprise us with some new functionality we have not seen before. I don't have any idea what it is but I don't think it is a smart connector, wireless charger or Touch ID.

Very good. The only post on this thread that actually makes sense. Theres a good chance its something totally new. Touch ID is the most ridiculous people are saying as its not ergonomic and apple is going all in on Face ID.

 

[Greenmeenie]

My guess is that this is for TouchID on the back of the iPad. If Apple wasn’t able to get FaceID to work reliably in multiple orientations, and still wants to ship an iPad with iPhone X-style bezels, then this is the next best alternative.

I wouldn’t blame them for the decision, since having FaceID on such a large device means that the dot projector needs a *much wider* angle of reach to see your face, and even then, it’s likely that users on iPads will use the device in a position where their face is not directly facing the screen.

*I’d bet money on this if betting wasn’t silly*

I like this theory about the touch ID on the back. But why move the old smart connector to the right side next to the volume control buttons? Wouldn’t that make accessing those buttons impossible when attached to the smart keyboard?

 

[PastaPrimav]

ah, the new location of the touch id sensor.

Nope.

 

[Jyby]

Science Rules!

 

[PastaPrimav]

My guess is that this is for TouchID on the back of the iPad.

Nope. Pretty poor guess.

If you're gonna bother guessing, you might as well have all the information. iOS 12 betas have given us all the information we need to know about Face ID on iPad.

 

[something something]

Anyone notice the actual shape of the case? It sort of suggests that the next iPad Pro actually will have the diamond-cut shape akin to the SE. However, I'm not exactly convinced this is legitimate. I really doubt this "vertical keyboard" concept (unless it's implemented the same way that some in the forum cleverly suggested), especially since Apple is pushing the laptop replacement angle of the Pros. At the same time, providing both a vertical and horizontal layout is something to set the pros apart from both laptops and other tablets, so it may be a possibility. But I can't help but be skeptical of the fact that the case so precisely matches that suspect CAD leak from earlier this month...

 

[PastaPrimav]

I think Apple is getting ready to surprise us with some new functionality we have not seen before. I don't have any idea what it is but I don't think it is a smart connector, wireless charger or Touch ID.

This the correct answer.

It might be in a similar vein to the Smart Connector, e.g. interfacing with some new accessory, but it is not THE smart connector, and it is not any of the uninformed amateurish crap being thrown around here.

 

[nt5672]

First of all its too screwed up to be a fake. Remember Apple is all about bumps and notches now, with industrial design solely related to thinness, underpowered batteries, and plain boring flat look.

Second with Apple's mighty charge into AR, this has to be related to AR. My guess is that it is some kind of ranging device, although that should be doable with the existing camera. So I've got no clue, other that it will be related to the next big thing ( that will turn out not so big.)