iOS 12 beta hints at future iPad with display notch and Face ID

Commencing with the overall design of the iPad lineup, iOS 12 introduces a very minimal UI change to the status bar, wherein the clock has been moved to the left-hand side from its original central position. This change now leaves a huge empty area in the middle that could easily be occupied by a display notch in a future upgrade, as pointed out by Steven Sinofsky. While on the topic of the notch, this is home to Apple’s Face ID technology on the iPhone X, and it appears future iPads may also include the tech if the system UI is anything to go by. Specifically, developer Guilherme Rambo points out that Apple has included a modified Face ID setup UI that has been adjusted to iPad displays, although it’s still not finished as references to the iPhone are still present. Nevertheless, it suggests Apple’s next iPad Pro could potentially include the technology, paving the way for one of the biggest iPad upgrades ever. As an added note, it’s worth pointing out that Face ID now supports multiple users, which also hints at support on future iPads. After all, while iPhones tend to be much more personal devices, iPads are often shared among a number of users, hence the support for extra faces.

Presently, Apple is yet to confirm any plans for future iPads. However, considering the second-generation iPad Pro lineup was announced exactly one year ago today, a third-generation series could easily make an appearance at Apple’s annual September event, alongside the upgraded 2018 iPhone series.

source: Steven Sinofsky, Guilherme Rambo via: The Verge, 9To5Mac