Apple's new iPad has built-in laser depth-scanner

Apple has announced its first mobile device to feature laser-scanning technology, which the firm says will aid augmented reality apps.

The iPad Pro's Lidar scanner will allow the shape and location of objects in a room to be detected.

This should mean graphics and real-world views can be mixed together more accurately than before.

The announcement came via a press release rather than a media event, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is the first time I can remember that Apple has announced such a high-profile product with such little fanfare,” said Ben Wood from CCS Insight.

Apple said the Lidar technology can also be used for measurement apps, to more accurately deduce a person’s height, for example, or the width of an object.

There are 11in and 12.9in versions of the new tablet, starting at $799 and $999 respectively.

"I think it’s the most advanced camera we’ve ever seen on a tablet by far," added Mr Wood.

He suggested consumers would see an increasing "push" for augmented reality technology in the coming months and years.