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Reuters Reports Next-Generation iPad to Offer Front and Rear Cameras

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While Apple has been widely expected to introduce a front-facing camera in the next-generation iPad to support FaceTime video chatting, the addition of a rear-facing camera has been less certain, with some observers skeptical of the functionality of such a feature on a device with a much larger form factor than pocket-sized smartphones.

Evidence for a rear-facing camera in the next-generation iPad has continued to grow, however, amidst supplier claims made in late October and claimed case leaks surfacing just yesterday.

Reuters now adds its voice to the mix, becoming the first mainstream news outlet to report that the updated iPad will include both front- and rear-facing cameras.
Component suppliers for Apple Inc's iPad are gearing up for a new round of production in the first quarter, sources said on Friday, with one saying the product will be a revamp of the popular tablet computer including front- and back-mounted cameras.
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The report cites three sources, two of which would only confirm a fresh round of production set to begin early next year for components used in the current iPad, while the third source reported that the ramp-up is in fact for a new version of the iPad featuring two cameras. One of the sources has also indicated that the next-generation iPad will be slimmer and offer a higher-resolution display than the current model.

Article Link: Reuters Reports Next-Generation iPad to Offer Front and Rear Cameras
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/12/10/reuters-reports-next-generation-ipad-to-offer-front-and-rear-cameras/
Last edited by a moderator:
I still can't imagine taking pictures of anything with an iPad. Hopefully there's some other type of feature than will benefit from the rear camera.
 
Why not have a rear facing camera? There are a lot of apps on the iPhone that take advantage of a high resolution camera that aren't specifically related to photography. It makes sense to have both cameras on the next iPad.
 
There will definitely be two cameras, if only for product line consistency. They don't want costumers to have to think "Wait, which iOS products have one camera? Which have two?"
 
This is an accident waiting to happen. There are going to be many dropped iPads when people try to take pictures
 
It's simple - if it has FaceTime, which it surely will, then it wil have two cameras. One of the very cool features (which I used last night incidentally) is to show your caller what you're seeing with the rear camera. Why would they leave this feature off the iPad 2?
 
thetaylor13 said:
I still can't imagine taking pictures of anything with an iPad. Hopefully there's some other type of feature than will benefit from the rear camera.
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Facetime requires two cameras.

If this is the "killer feature" of iPad 2, I'm happy I got iPad 1. I already have an iphone, and while using Facetime is cool, my arm gets a little tired after about 5 minutes of holding it there. I can't imagine how long I could last holding an iPad out there.
 
jonnyb said:
It's simple - if it has FaceTime, which it surely will, then it wil have two cameras. One of the very cool features (which I used last night incidentally) is to show your caller what you're seeing with the rear camera. Why would they leave this feature off the iPad 2?
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Exactly that would be very useful. Hoping for this and a improved display and its going to be awesome
 
Indeed. Strange that people seem to be forgetting about FaceTime using both front and rear cameras...
 
FaceTime doesn't require two cameras...see every FaceTime-compatible Mac.
 
Thanks Capt. Obvious

Uhhh...wouldnt "the next iPad WILL NOT have 2 cameras" be more news worthy. I get so tired of analysts citing "insider scoops" of totally obvious facts..."this just in, the next iPad will have better battery life".
 
A rear facing camera is an absolute no brainer. Anyone who questions the inclusion of a rear camera is showing a distinct lack of imagination and a willful ignoring of the entire rest of the iOS line of devices.
 
thetaylor13 said:
I still can't imagine taking pictures of anything with an iPad. Hopefully there's some other type of feature than will benefit from the rear camera.
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I use my iPhone rear camera TONS for taking pictures of documents and other objects for reference at work while on the go. This would be a huge benefit for me to have everything in one place. These cameras aren't all about personal photography but also have a day-to-day business use as well.
 
I imagine the rear-facing camera is more for application use, e.g. bar code scanning, check deposits, and less for your typical mobile device photography.
 
akornstein said:
I use my iPhone rear camera TONS for taking pictures of documents and other objects for reference at work while on the go. This would be a huge benefit for me to have everything in one place. These cameras aren't all about personal photography but also have a day-to-day business use as well.
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Exactly. Besides, iPad has the screen real estate to make augmented reality applications actually useful. As a poster said above, the real news would be if the next iPad only has one camera. Having two is practically a foregone conclusion.
 
I bet this ships before the Playbook. Considering RIM 'just' have to finish the browser, optimise for multi core amongst other things.
 
ValSalva said:
Why not have a rear facing camera? There are a lot of apps on the iPhone that take advantage of a high resolution camera that aren't specifically related to photography. It makes sense to have both cameras on the next iPad.
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ero87 said:
There will definitely be two cameras, if only for product line consistency. They don't want costumers to have to think "Wait, which iOS products have one camera? Which have two?"
Click to expand...

Agreed to both, and like I said Val, I simply cant imagine taking "pictures" with the rear camera, but wouldn't mind some interesting augmented reality stuff.
 
akornstein said:
I use my iPhone rear camera TONS for taking pictures of documents and other objects for reference at work while on the go. This would be a huge benefit for me to have everything in one place. These cameras aren't all about personal photography but also have a day-to-day business use as well.
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I'd have to say I also take snap shots of any notes at work, so I do see that benefit.

As I won't even have an iPad for another 2 weeks (thank you brother) I can't say to much about others personal experiences.
 
The inclusion of a front-facing and rear-facing camera can do nothing but help provide more functionality for the iPad. Simple as that. Anyone who doesn't see the need for the rear-facing camera, don't use it!
 
Games

Some games are making interesting use of the rear camera, a sort of augmented reality feature, by passing the background and letting you superimpose the game on top of it.

More of a novelty than anything else, but well, it is kind of cool. And Apple is pushing games across the iOS platform.
 
A rear facing camera? REALLY? Useless in a large iPad device. I may not buy one if it has this- really
 
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