No more sharing the family TV.
If the launch last week of the iPadOS 17 update on Apple tablets may seem trivial, it is actually a game changer, or rather a ‘videogame changer.’ Indeed, with this update, all iPads equipped with a USB-C charging port will be able to become monitors, screen devices for your favorite consoles.
This means you won’t need to rely on a bulky TV to display your Xbox, won’t have to settle for the small screen of the Switch in portable mode, and it also means you probably don’t need the somewhat redundant ‘PlayStation Portal‘ accessory.
Now, you only need two things: the free downloadable Orion app and a small HDMI-to-USB-C capture card that can be found online.
Meet the Orion Video System. It’s an advanced new software application that turns your iPad into an HDMI monitor.
— Sebastiaan de With (@sdw) September 20, 2023
We had a ton of fun making this. From unboxing (yes, really) to CRT emulation, to custom VCR OSD style typefaces. Get it now — it’s free. https://t.co/vxd7Aydc0l pic.twitter.com/kedtONhiM8
Indeed, iPadOS 17 introduced support for USB Video Class (UVC), enabling this new capability. Furthermore, it also allows you to connect webcams to it.