centerstage

Center Stage is a camera feature developed by Apple for its iPad line, designed to automatically keep the user centered in the frame during video calls. It uses the device’s front-facing camera and on-device machine learning to track motion and adjust framing, panning and zooming as needed to keep faces in view. The feature is intended to create a more natural, hands-free video experience during conversations and presentations.

Center Stage works by detecting people in the camera’s view and modifying the shot to keep them centered. It can adapt to changes in position and the appearance of additional participants within the scene, maintaining a consistent framing without requiring manual camera adjustments. The option to enable or disable Center Stage is available in the device’s camera settings or during a call in supported apps.

Availability has been limited to certain Apple devices and software versions. Center Stage was introduced as part of updates to iPadOS for compatible iPad models around 2020 and has been included in subsequent releases, expanding its use to more devices as Apple updates its hardware and software ecosystem.

Reception and limitations: Center Stage has been praised for improving the usability of video calls in education and collaboration by reducing the need to manually adjust the camera. Its performance can be affected by lighting, the number of people in view, and rapid movements, and it may not always predict the ideal framing. Privacy considerations are often noted, since the feature relies on on-device processing to monitor participants.

Center Stage is also a term used in other contexts, including theatre and branding for various products and services.