Word has it of a bezel-free version of the Apple iPad Pro, to be revealed as early as March 2017, alongside two brand new iPad models, including a 10.9-inch version of the iPad Pro.
Bezel-free means that the new iPad will feature an edge-to-edge display, and if sources are anywhere near accurate, no home button.
It’s unclear, up to this point, what size the new edge-to-edge iPad will come in, or even how many different sizes will it feature, considering that a product like this might be introduced as a completely separate iPad line.
Since the latest predictions communicated by KGI Securities Ming-Chi Kuo to investors, the most reliable information seems to point to at least one brand new line of iPads for education and enterprise, which will feature a 10.5 inch display, but no information has yet be made public in regard to a bezel-free version, which, until now, is mere hearsay.
With that said, sources have been discussing the plausibility of Apple testing new technologies embedded in next generation touchscreens for iPad and iPhone, with numerous patents already filed and published, in regard to a virtual home button replacing the physical one, as well as Touch-ID embedded into the touchscreen, and capable of moving around the screen, for a more intuitive access.
This also means that unlocking an iPad, making purchases with Apple Pay, and accessing websites using Touch-ID, will be easier than ever.
Sources have also mentioned the possibility that future iPad designs may feature an OLED display, which could be a possibility should Apple build an entry-level class of iPads for budget consumers, to replace the aging iPad Air 2.
Chances are, these tablets will be still powered by an A10X processor, with a 10nm FinFET architecture, which should bring some considerable improvements to battery life and performance.
All in all, four iPad models are expected to be announced by next year: a 7.9 inch iPad Mini, a 9.7 inch iPad, a 12.9 inch iPad Pro 2, and a 10.5-inch, borderless iPad,with Touch-ID embedded into the screen, and no physical home button.
Considering that Apple has been willing to sacrifice the physical Esc key on the new MacBook Pro in favor of an OLED touch Bar, it wouldn’t be in the least surprising that the next thing Apple will retire is the physical home button across all its lines of iOS products.
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