iPad photographers may get the camera button they never asked for

Taking photos with an iPad or other tablets was once considered absurd, but Apple seems to be investing heavily in enhancing the experience. A recently granted Apple patent titled "Input System for Portable Electronic Device" outlines a pressure-sensitive button capable of identifying taps, swipes, and full presses. The technology is reminiscent of the Camera Control feature introduced with the iPhone 16 series, and many of the patent's drawings show tablets instead of phones.

While this does not guarantee the feature will make it to an iPad, the patent includes numerous details that point to its inclusion. Apple's proposed system utilizes two strain-sensing elements to determine the location of pressure application. A distinct dome switch responds to a more substantial press, enabling the same control to recognize various levels and types of input.

Haptic feedback may accompany these interactions. This implementation mirrors the one found in newer iPhones, allowing users to swiftly access the camera, capture photos, record video, and adjust photographic settings with lighter presses and swipes. The patent specifies pressure thresholds ranging from approximately 0.8 to 1.2 Newtons for the first level and 3.0 to 4.0 Newtons for the second.

Out of the patent's twenty drawings and charts, only three illustrate iPhones, with tablet-shaped devices taking center stage. The Camera Control feature has had mixed reception on the iPhone, and it makes sense to include it on an iPad, given the larger display for better manipulation of touch-sensitive controls. Using an iPad Air as a primary camera has proven to be more effective than the common belief surrounding tablet photography.

A physical shutter control could simplify tasks such as scanning documents, shooting video, adjusting zoom, or capturing photos while holding the tablet horizontally, as it eliminates the need to reach across a large touchscreen. Although Apple has not announced plans to incorporate Camera Control on an iPad, and a granted patent does not guarantee its eventual implementation, Samsung's upcoming flagship Android tablets may soon reveal a similar design.

SammyGuru has released renders of the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, displaying their displays and bezels. The design appears to be very similar to last year's Galaxy Tab S11 lineup, while the Ultra model retains the shallow display notch that many hoped Samsung would eliminate. Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Tab S12 series will launch in the second half of 2026, with previous reports suggesting a September announcement.

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in just a few weeks, and ahead of the launch, the company has increased trade-in estimates for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watch models in the US. It has also added a small selection of Android phones, including devices from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, to the trade-in list. iPhone and iPad values are rising across the board.