Apple's latest iPadOS 17 comes with a plethora of upgrades that users have been wanting for a while. For one, the company is looking to streamline its entire lineup with support for widgets. The iPadOS 17 is no exception and features a revamped Lock Screen, all thanks to support for widgets and customization options. Other than this, iPadOS 17 also brings the ability to connect external USB-C webcams as well as microphones to the iPad.
iPadOS 17 brings support for external USB-C webcams and microphones and Studio Display's webcam support on iPad
Last year, Apple introduced DriverKit for developers to create drivers for their accessories to run on the iPad. Apart from external accessories. iPadOS 17 will also allow iPad users to connect to the Studio Display and use its built-in webcam and microphone. Both of these additions are new to the iPad and will make it an even more productive machine compared to iOS 16. Apple is working to replace a computer with an iPad, and that is what the latest additions are all about.
Similar to the Mac, you can just connect the accessories with a USB-C cable and start using them. As mentioned earlier, not all the accessories will be compatible since Apple requires accessory-makers to update their products with support. While it is a pretty neat addition, accessory makers should also make a dedicated mount for their respective webcams; otherwise, the camera would have to be placed in front of the iPad.
So, iPadOS 17 now supports external USB webcams #WWDC23 pic.twitter.com/2MRUqU1TKq
— Stephen Robles (@stephenrobles) June 6, 2023
According to Apple, developers can use the company's AVFoundation API to take advantage of the accessories in their apps. Other than external webcam support,iPadOS 17 also brings a boatload of additional features that make the update worth upgrading. For instance, interactive widgets are new to the Apple ecosystem. iPadOS 17 brings support widgets on the Lock Screen with neat animations. The Lock Screen now also features customization tools similar to iOS, which is more than a welcome addition. Apple has also made improvements in the new Notes app, Stage Manager, as well as iMessage and FaceTime. You can check out more details on the platform in our announcement post.
This is all there is to it, folks. We will share more details on the subject as soon as further information is available. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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