Camera feature hidden by Apple discovered
The iPad Pro 2021 can do something with its camera, even the current iPhone 12 (Pro) fails. The feature hidden by Apple has now been discovered by a well-known app developer. GIGA reveals what users can do with it and how to access it.
The developer of the camera app “Halide” Sebastiaan de With took a closer look at the cameras of the current iPad Pros and finds a feature hidden by Apple, at least the US manufacturer does not explicitly advertise the function and does not talk about it anywhere. The Apple tablets have a “secret” macro function.
Not mentioned by Apple: iPad Pro 2021 has macro feature
Means: Due to a different lens structure, the iPad Pro 2021 Focus on objects from a significantly shorter distancethan the iPhone can. The Apple cell phone must be at least 8 centimeters away from the object for a “sharp” picture, while the iPad is much closer. De With writes enthusiastically and a little exuberantly: “The iPad basically comes with a microscope.”
The macro function was not even mentioned by Apple, but all these features:
The developer discovered the feature by accident: “I found this out when I put the iPad on my lap. I noticed that the camera actually focused perfectly on my pant leg, which was directly against the rear camera. “
Tip: It works better this way
According to de With, anyone who wants to try out the newly discovered macro function right away should get one special circumstance note. According to him, with the LiDAR sensor, which supports the autofocus of the iPad, it can sometimes be a bit difficult to elicit the macro function from the Apple tablet. What is needed then is a manual focus. For this he recommends corresponding apps, coincidentally also your own – Halide Mark II. It is available as a free test version for 7 days, after which you can either opt for a subscription (1.99 euros per month, 13.49 euros per year) or a one-time purchase (43.99 euros).
By the way, since the rear camera system of the iPad Pro 2021 is practically no different from the 2020 model, the previous generation should also support the macro feature. in the Comment area of the colleagues at MacRumors have at least found such references. Owners of the older tablets do not have to worry and in the end benefit from this feature that is hidden from Apple.
