Lux, the developers behind popular camera app Halide, today announced the launch of Orion Video System, an app that is designed to turn the iPad into an external HDMI monitor that can be used with computers, gaming consoles, cameras, and other devices.
Using the Orion app requires iOS 17, an iPad that has a USB-C port, and a USB-C Video Capture Card. USB-C Capture Cards can be purchased from websites like Amazon for around $15 to $20.
The app is able to work with any device that supports HDMI, including Macs, PCs, game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, retro consoles, and cameras. According to the developers, Orion Video System will upscale Nintendo Switch gameplay to 4K in realtime. When used with a camera, Orion allows an iPad to be used for checking framing, focus, and color for video capture and stills.
Orion is free to download, and there is a demo mode that allows users to test the app without a Capture Card. There is an optional one-time $5 upgrade purchase to unlock AI-powered 4K upscaling, CRT Emulation, and Picture Adjustment.
Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by Juli Clover
When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites.
Games
Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...
Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models.
The following new products will be available from today:
iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip
iMac with M6 chip
14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip
14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen
16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...
Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...
I guess it's cool but, you can get better portable monitors than an ipad for a display.
True (and I have one -- only 1080p and not the most accurate colors, but it works) but that's one more thing to bring with you. If you already own an iPad and a small adapter (or buy one -- they are inexpensive), that's easier and less expensive than bringing yet one more "device" with you.
Am I the only one on the planet that thinks that 4:3 still has plenty of merit, particularly for photos and monitors. Given that most websites, and I've noticed American ones particularly, run down the middle of a 16:9 monitor leaving most of it as blank real estate. 4:3 is beneficial in those situations, and the miles of extra width 16:9 gives is often chasing an elusive use.
This is what I've been waiting for. This is the first step towards plugging your Xbox, Playstation, or anything else into your VisionPro USB-C port so that you have a personal large screen for any video input you might have.
