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Blurry shot allegedly shows camera-equipped iPad in testing

updated 09:40 pm EDT, Sat September 4, 2010

iPad with camera rumored in debugging


An uncertain rumor on Saturday has what's purported to be a future iPad in testing with a front camera. The partial shot allegedly shows the tablet in a debugging mode for video calls. 9 to 5 Mac in obtaining the shots noted that the mode is the same seen on field-tested iPhone 4 units but hidden from everyday users.

The lone photo is difficult to authenticate, although previous firmware leaks have implied that the e-mail-based FaceTime for the new iPod touch would also carry over to the iPad with its next model. A camera has been one of the most routinely requested features for the iPad, but Apple hasn't given any intentional clues. CEO Steve Jobs during his September 1 presentation did mention HDR photography as coming to the iPad in iOS 4.2 despite the absence of a camera in the current model.

Any camera in the iPad would help it close any perceived gaps between Apple's goods and competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab that have at least one camera onboard. Besides video chat, a camera can give a tablet a way of reading barcodes or QR codes and performing visual searches.


By Electronista Staff

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gadgets, digital imaging, Steve Jobs, Samsung, Apple, Galaxy, iPad

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  1. charlituna

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2009

    +2
    09/05, 12:57pm | report spam | reply

    not a shock

    it's pretty much Apple form that anything awesome that is released for the iphone that can go in the touch (and now the ipad) will. So it was an easy guess that the next ipad would get a camera, especially with the touch getting one. And of course they will field test it.

    the real questions are if it will be just a front facing, or also a rear. the MP of the camera, video/still/both, when the ipad will release. And knowing Apple they will trump the other guys by NOT putting a little camera in the corner, but rather behind the screen. that way you can keep the 'there's no right or wrong way to hold it' that they hyped so much


  1. SockRolid

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2010

    +3
    09/05, 01:25pm | report spam | reply

    Will be compelling on the larger iPad screen

    It's already great to see who you're talking to on iPhone, but just imagine how much more impact FaceTime will have on a larger screen like iPad. FaceTime should boost iPad sales even higher when the camera-equipped iPads are released.

    Now all the skeptics can see why Apple made FaceTime wi-fi only (for now). Because every single iPad and iPod touch with a front-facing camera is FaceTime-ready. And in a few years, when the real 4G cell networks are rolled out, it will be simple for Apple to update FaceTime to work over 4G. (I say "in a few years" because Sprint's LTE is technically 3.9G because it isn't all-IP all-packet-switched like the true 4G, which will probably end up using the LTE Advanced spec.)


  1. facebook_Justin

    Via Facebook

    Joined: Sep 2010

    0
    09/05, 04:01pm | report spam | reply

    comment title

    STOP! FaceTime!


  1. bluejammm

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2006

    -1
    09/06, 12:10am | report spam | reply

    Duh

    Typical Apple to withhold something that should have been in there in the first place. They knew it would have a camera. They hold out on the first model to sell more of the second gen. Good marketing, I guess, but it seems a tacky business ploy to me. I never buy gen one of anything Apple. They pull this every time.


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    09/07, 05:16pm | report spam | reply

    Re: Will be compelling on the larger iPad screen

    It's already great to see who you're talking to on iPhone, but just imagine how much more impact FaceTime will have on a larger screen like iPad.

    Why, exactly, is it great to see who you're talking to?

    And do you feel cheated that Apple refuses to let you see these people unless they have an iPhone as well, and only if both of you are sitting near a wi-fi signal?

    And why, exactly, would seeing who you're talking to on a bigger screen have more 'impact'? Is that because you can see all their imperfections on a larger screen? Oh, I know, it's because you really want to see her new braces so you can tell her they look great!


  1. testudo

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    Joined: Aug 2001

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    09/07, 05:20pm | report spam | reply

    Re: Will be compelling on the larger iPad screen

    Now all the skeptics can see why Apple made FaceTime wi-fi only (for now). Because every single iPad and iPod touch with a front-facing camera is FaceTime-ready.

    Could you please explain to the idiots on this board why Apple had to make it wi-fi only in order for it to work with other devices? Is it impossible for someone connected via wi-fi to be able to connect to someone on a wireless network?

    And I feel sorry for those losers who have a wireless broadband card for their home network, because, apparently, this will prevent them from using FaceTime, as they'll never be able to connect to anyone on a 'wired' network.

    (I say "in a few years" because Sprint's LTE is technically 3.9G because it isn't all-IP all-packet-switched like the true 4G, which will probably end up using the LTE Advanced spec.)

    Hate to burst your bubble, but you need to understand something:

    4G = 4th Generation. That's it, that's the list. There is not one thing that says "4G wireless must be all IP this, all packet that, or any other POS technology people seem to think it means.

    As such, Sprint's network is 4G because it is newer than it's last network, which was 3G.


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    09/07, 05:34pm | report spam | reply

    Re: not a shock

    it's pretty much Apple form that anything awesome that is released for the iphone that can go in the touch (and now the ipad) will.

    Except this isn't the case with the GPS..


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