Kuo: iPad Pro With Rear 3D ToF Camera and Scissor Mechanism MacBooks to Launch in First Half of 2020

[MacRumors]

Apple will launch a new iPad Pro with a rear-facing 3D Time of Flight camera in the first quarter of 2020, according to a new report out today from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and seen by MacRumors.

We've previously heard multiple rumors suggesting a time-of-flight camera system for Apple's 2020 iPhones and iPad Pros, including info from Kuo himself, but this is the first time that he's specified the 3D sensing camera system will be available in new iPad Pro models to be released early next year.

A time-of-flight camera system measures the time that it takes for a laser or LED to bounce off of objects in a room, providing an accurate 3D map of the surroundings. A rear time-of-flight camera would also bolster photo quality and offer new and improved AR applications.

Two of the iPhones set to be released in 2020 will also feature 3D sensing rear camera setups with time-of-flight (ToF) camera lenses, according to a previous note from Kuo in July.

The Apple analyst has also revealed his predicted schedule for Apple's MacBook lineup refresh. We've already learned that Apple is planning to use a scissor mechanism rather than a butterfly mechanism for its upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is expected to be announced as soon as this month.

However, Kuo has said that after the 16-inch MacBook Pro launches, future Macs coming in 2020 will also swap over to a scissor mechanism rather than a butterfly mechanism, resulting in more durable keyboards that are not as prone to failure from heat, dust and other small particulates.

Kuo now predicts that Apple's refreshed MacBook models will arrive in the second quarter of 2020, suggesting they will feature the much-anticipated scissor mechanism keyboards that the company is adopting wholesale.

Kuo also underlined his belief that the first quarter of 2020 will see Apple launch its previously rumored "iPhone SE 2," which was mentioned in a previous research note earlier in the week.

Today's report from the respected Apple analyst also covered Apple's AR headset launch plans, which we've covered in a separate article.

Article Link: Kuo: iPad Pro With Rear 3D ToF Camera and Scissor Mechanism MacBooks to Launch in First Half of 2020

 

[dernhelm]

A ToF camera might be a good reason to pick up an iPad again. The AR implications could be very interesting. But for myself, I'm really looking forward to the 16" MBP.

 

[richinaus]

This probably confirms no iPad Pro update this year, I believe. They wont do 2 updates this close.
Looking forward to seeing the 16” MBP

 

[Stiss]

I want an iPad Pro. Just don't know wether a ToF camera is worth the wait and possibly expense when compared to what the current model could be available for.

 

[chooyoshi]

Can't wait for the 13" mBP with scissor mechanisms. Would be better if they could restore the USB a and other ports as well... But as long as they feel like the pre 2016 keyboards I'll be happy.

 

[HobbesInVA]

If it becomes fact that the scissor keyboard comes back, I can finally upgrade my 2012 Macbook Pro. I've been holding off because I don't want the problems with the butterfly keyboard. When my wife's Macbook Pro required replacing I purchased a iPad Pro for her to avoid the butterfly keyboard. However, she's still not 100% happy with it. She still prefers a Macbook.

 

[mikeboss]

all I'm reading is BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH iPhone SE 2

 

[kurosov]

I want an iPad Pro. Just don't know wether a ToF camera is worth the wait and possibly expense when compared to what the current model could be available for.

I have a 12.9” 2018 pro and this news certainly doesn’t make me want to upgrade. I’ve used the camera while testing some AR web implementations but generally a phone is better for that so I don’t see a need for the camera system.

the current pro is perfectly suitable performance wise for any editing and illustration work need I have and we still don’t have that full photoshop app to see how it handles, if Affinity Publisher released for the iPad and required an upgrade then I would, though that’s unlikely.

At this point I think the only feature they could add that would really make me want to buy a new one would be if they released a 15” iPad Pro. The Pencil with an even bigger canvas would be a fantastic tool to keep around the studio.

 

[fokmik]

So from an October important event, now we will have an March important event

 

[mctrees02]

For those hoping to upgrade iPads before the holidays, this puts a damper on those plans. I can’t see Apple releasing a new iPad Pro with spec bumps and camera improvements now and then also releasing another iPad Pro in the spring.

 

[NMBob]

So we‘re going to be standing on a busy city street corner holding our $1000 iPad out in front of us while chewing through our data plan at an alarming rate? Huh.

 

[fhall1]

all I'm reading is BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH iPhone SE 2

It would be super if in the smaller 5S form factor with updated internals, and not the too large iPhone 6/7/8 size.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Will the scissor keyboard still include the condom under the keys to help reduce noise? Or was that the butterfly design that was creating the noise.

 

[applesed]

Don’t forget a physical escape key

 

[iZac]

Good thing the iPad isn’t emerging until next spring, my wallet can't take another hit this year.

 

[fokmik]

Probably the A13x is not ready by the end of this year

 

[SteveJUAE]

That's a nice kick in the nuts for all those that embraced the Butterfly KB

 

[applesed]

Don’t forget a physical escape key

And toss the touchbar or make it optional

 

[MacRazySwe]

all I'm reading is BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH iPhone SE 2

What’s the appeal of the rumored SE2 for you?

Geniune question, I’d like to understand.

 

[Saipher]

Apple Glasses, new form factor MacBook Pro and iPhone, and Sony’s new PS5; 2020 is shaping to be a very exciting year for tech.

 

[alpi123]

I'm ALL for ToF cameras. Would improve edge detection on the Portrait Mode A LOT.

 

[Dwalls90]

Can't wait for the 13" mBP with scissor mechanisms. Would be better if they could restore the USB a and other ports as well... But as long as they feel like the pre 2016 keyboards I'll be happy.

USB A is dead.

 

[newyorksole]

I have a 12.9” 2018 pro and this news certainly doesn’t make me want to upgrade. I’ve used the camera while testing some AR web implementations but generally a phone is better for that so I don’t see a need for the camera system.

the current pro is perfectly suitable performance wise for any editing and illustration work need I have and we still don’t have that full photoshop app to see how it handles, if Affinity Publisher released for the iPad and required an upgrade then I would, though that’s unlikely.

At this point I think the only feature they could add that would really make me want to buy a new one would be if they released a 15” iPad Pro. The Pencil with an even bigger canvas would be a fantastic tool to keep around the studio.

Yeah to be honest I got my 2018 iPad Pro very close to launch day and cannot see a need to upgrade. iPhone and Apple Watch get annual upgrades, but if they’re just updating the cameras and the speed of the iPad then I’ll hold onto mine.

I wonder if they’ll ever use something other than aluminum on the back of an iPad. Probably not, but itwould be interesting to have a frosted glass back.

 

[timber]

This would really be a great time for one of that Tim Apple's pipeline statements.

The pipeline really seems great.

 

[PickUrPoison]

It never made any sense for Apple to refresh the iPad Pro lineup in 2019, it’s not even a year old yet. Previous updates have been about 16 months apart, so March would be a good guess, as would A13X and the same $799/999 pricing for 11.0”/12.9”. Maybe 128GB base model.