When Apple announced its new Dynamic Island feature during the iPhone 14 event, I laughed because it's a daft name. But as Apple demoed it, I thought two more sensible things. One, I really want an iPhone 14 Pro. And two, I really want Dynamic Island on my iPad Air.
If you can't imagine how the Dynamic Island would work on an iPad, Parker Ortolani can show you: on his Twitter feed he's posted multiple concept images showing the feature in different scenarios, such as on the Home Screen, in apps and in Split View (hat tip to MacRumors for the spot).
With the notch expected to come to the 2022 iPad Pro later this year, it's fun to imagine what it might do with a Dynamic Island instead – although its notch is likely to be on the top edge in portrait mode, rather than the landscape shown in these concept renders.
Why Dynamic Island would be great on iPads
What I find really interesting about these renders is that the Dynamic Island effectively becomes a menu bar for the iPad without just copying the one from macOS – so for example in Safari it might bring up controls such as translate, Reader mode and so on. It would be a more desktop-like experience without completely sacrificing the iPad's interface, a working compromise between the iPhone's very stripped-back interface and the much more complex desktop one.
If the rumours are correct and this year's iPad Pro really is getting a notch, then the pill-shaped cutout of the iPhone Pro 14 would clearly be a less invasive place for the cameras. But it would also be annoying in landscape mode if it were pegged to actual hardware rather than just on-screen as an interface element.
There's one place that wouldn't be an issue, though, and it's on a device that's permanently in landscape mode: the MacBook Pro. That's already got a notch, and as with the iPhone I think there are a fair few users who'd rather it didn't. Could we see Dynamic Island in next year's macOS? If it's as popular as the initial reaction to it on iPhone suggests, I wouldn't bet against it.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
The iPad Pro has made me fall in love with tablets again
Tablets are now more than just movie and internet browsers and the iPad Pro is leading the charge
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
Does the new iPad Pro prove that laptops are dead?
With a 13-inch tandem OLED screen, M4 chip and new Magic Keyboard, the iPad Pro is more than a laptop
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
Apple unveils an all new iPad Pro line-up – and it's got the M4 chip!
BREAKING: Apple has just unveiled the latest version of it's flagship tablet, complete with a brand new processor
By Sam Cross Published
-
Apple iPad event 2024 recap – new iPad Pro, iPad Air and Pencil Pro
Apple announced new iPad Pro models, a giant iPad Air, and more – here’s the recap of our live blog
By Rik Henderson Last updated
-
New iPad Pro models get a new rumoured release date
Launch pushed back, but still before WWDC
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
New iPads won't launch next week – rumour "not true", says expert
Leaked date of 26 March has been dismissed by Apple specialist Mark Gurman
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Apple reportedly planning a 16-inch iPad Pro for 2023
A massive iPad could be on the way for pro users and could be here as soon as next year. Time to get saving
By Carrie Marshall Last updated
-
iPad Pro M2 vs iPad Pro M1: what's new in 2022
Should you rush out and get the M2, or skip this one and wait for the next generation?
By Carrie Marshall Last updated