iPad Pro 'Center Stage' Camera Feature Will Support Third-Party Apps

[MacRumors]

Apple's newly announced M1 iPad Pro models boast a new video calling feature called Center Stage, which uses machine learning to automatically pan and zoom the front-facing camera to keep you center in the frame as you move around.

Apple envisages Center Stage being used for video calls that involve things like whiteboarding with coworkers or attending a virtual family gathering. Presumably the feature will also correct the problem of a user not appearing centered in the shot when the iPad is in landscape orientation.

During its announcement, Apple didn't explain whether it would be exclusive to FaceTime calls, but according to iOS developer Federico Viticci, third-party apps will be able to use Center Stage via an API framework, which could mean we'll one day see the feature enabled on Teams and Zoom calls.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1384584226050387970

Center Stage is made possible on the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro thanks to the new chipset and an improved TrueDepth camera system, which includes a a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera with a 120° field of view, compared to the standard 7MP wide-angle front-facing camera on the previous generation models.

For that reason, it's unlikely that Center Stage will come to older iPads. The new 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,099. Pre-orders begin April 30, with availability beginning in the second half of May.

Article Link: iPad Pro 'Center Stage' Camera Feature Will Support Third-Party Apps

 

[odHbo]

The iPad becoming the Portal of my dreams was very unexpected today. I’m so buying it

 

[hellosil]

Can we have this on the new iMac too please.

 

[_Spinn_]

This is great for video conferencing so it’s great that third party apps can take advantage of it as well.

 

[calstanford]

Is this going to be a real camera with autofocus and proper sharpness or the same ******** as the ultra-wide camera on iPhone that looks like a potato cam like our original 2007 iPhones

 

[Mutepointer]

It’s nice to copy Portal, created by the book of faces a.k.a. Facebook.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

This definitely should have been in the new iMac.

I suppose they're doing it so there's another reason to buy the new iPad.

 

[adamw]

This is a great feature! Glad to see Apple adding Center Stage.

 

[DinkThifferent]

It’s nice to copy Portal, created by the book of faces a.k.a. Facebook.

The major difference is Apple not selling your data to every company ever.

 

[mrapplecored]

Is this Center Stage feature on the new iMac? If not, why not? It would seem a no brainer!

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Is this Center Stage feature on the new iMac? If not, why not? It would seem a no brainer!

It is only on the iPad Pro, mystery as to why

 

[alastairn]

Is the camera still on the top in portrait view? So if using with keyboard in landscape will Centre Stage still work?

 

[ian87w]

It is only on the iPad Pro, mystery as to why

I’m guessing it requires a depth sensor like true depth in the FaceID hardware.
Let’s see if the feature trickles down to iPhones.

 

[SWAON]

Does it work when recording video with people as well or this is only limited to video calls?

 

[dlondon]

I hope they allow the eye correction feature in FaceTime to be used by other apps.

 

[Frantisekj]

Lets flood of YouTube "reviews" begin

 

[Analog Kid]

My understanding is that this is only for the camera and doesn’t help FaceID work at more extreme angles— like when sitting flat on a desk? Does anyone know otherwise?

 

[Eduardo1971]

I wonder why ‘Center Stage’ wasn’t added to the new iMacs?

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

The iPad becoming the Portal of my dreams was very unexpected today. I’m so buying it

You should. It is literally a MacBook. But Apple did say that the iPad Pro is like a computer.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Can we have this on the new iMac too please.

They will eventually. But for now, the iMac is officially ruined.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Is this Center Stage feature on the new iMac? If not, why not? It would seem a no brainer!

It isn’t. I don’t think they added it on the iMac because the iPad Pro has the Lidiar Scanner and the iMac doesn’t. That’s why. The iMac won’t be able to read your face.

 

[ersatzplanet]

They show it working with the iPad in landscape mode. How would a "wide angle" lens help this work when the lens is turned 90 degrees in landscape mode? I assume it needs the FaceID sensors to work and that is why it is not on the iMacs but why not put FaceID on them too?

 

[FoxMcCloud]

Microsoft’s dream finally coming to fruition. Shame the Kinect had to be sacrificed, but it’s tech lives on.
Also screw Facebook and I say that as an owner of the Portal.

 

[jjd]

Is the camera still on the top in portrait view? So if using with keyboard in landscape will Centre Stage still work?

It still is. I cannot understand why they didn’t (finally) move the FaceTime camera to landscape orientation. WTF? 90% of people are going to use it in that mode. Especially in the case of the 12.9”. Instead you end up with the camera to the side. So stupid. There is a reason every laptop on earth has it in landscape orientation.