A recently released patent from Apple could shed some light on the future of iPad design. This suggests that the company has recognized that many people prefer to use the tablet in landscape mode and may add a notch for the iPad.
The patent was filed in August 2016 and was recently issued by the USPTO. The patent is entitled "Display of electronic equipment with extended activity area".
In the patent, Apple says the iPad was designed with landscape use in mind, placing the front camera in a horizontal frame. Inactive areas may have a layer of black ink or other masking material to prevent the user from seeing the internal components.
The active area can have an opening or notch that contains an isolated inactive area (hidden in the border).
With Apple still pushing the iPad as a laptop replacement, it does make sense to move the camera from portrait to landscape, while the upcoming new Magic Keyboard makes landscape mode a better option for users.
The change also means that people won't accidentally cover the camera with their hands while holding the iPad horizontally, which is especially annoying when using Face ID to unlock the device.
