While the iPad continues to ride high in the tablet market, the rumors have been flying fast and furious as to what the next model might bring. One of the most obvious is a camera, and a new report claims that a Taiwanese supplier has already been picked to provide it.
AppleInsider is reporting that Taiwan-based Largan Precision has been chosen “as the sole supplier of lens modules for the forthcoming iPad upgrade.” According to DigiTimes, there’s no word on how many megapixels the camera (or cameras) might be, nor how many the second-generation iPad will even be sporting.
A front-facing camera is the best bet for an iPad 2, if only to enable FaceTime calling to and from the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod touch or Macs running the free beta software. Not surprisingly, Largan refused to comment on the speculation, although it is widely believed that the company is supplying the five-megapixel lenses for the current iPhone 4.
There have been reports that the second-generation iPad may come packing two cameras -- one in the front for FaceTime and one in the back to take pictures and presumably video as well. However, with its 9.7-inch display, a rear camera is likely to be used much less than one on an iPhone 4 or iPod touch, for instance. Reviews of the competing Samsung Galaxy Tab have frequently noted that using a rear camera with the seven-inch tablet felt awkward and unnatural, and the iPad is larger yet.
AppleInsider notes that one use of a rear-facing camera on the iPad 2 would be “for augmented reality applications and games” -- something we’d be all to happy to have, should Apple (and Largan) want to provide it.
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