Chinese company lays claim to second-gen iPad case
updated 10:55 am EST, Thu December 9, 2010
Suggests rear-facing camera
A Chinese company, Shenzhen MacTop Electronics, is claiming to have what could be the first second-generation iPad case for sale. Simply labeled Crystal Case for iPad 2nd Generation, the case is only available in bulk wholesale orders starting at 1,000 units. MacTop touts the accessory as "precision molded" to "perfectly fit your iPad," even though Apple has not formally announced the device, or likely even put it into production.
While mostly non-descript, the case has an unusual hole in the upper-left side. The placement is however consistent with camera holes in cases for the iPhone and fourth-generation iPod touch, indicating that MacTop assumes the next iPad will indeed have a rear-facing camera. The tablet is widely expected to at least have a front-facing camera, enabling FaceTime calls as on Macs, iPhones and Touches. Space for a front camera exists in the first-generation iPad's underlying frame.
The source of MacTop's design information is unknown. Shenzhen is home to the largest factory belonging to Foxconn, which is expected to continue building iPads with the second-generation model. MacTop could conceivably have acquired leaked data from one of the over 200,000 Foxconn workers based in Shenzhen.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Yawn
Some company has decided to take a leap that they think they know what Apple will be doing with the iPad in it's next revision (whenever the h*** that will be) and make a case for it.
No different than the iPod touch cases a year ago with camera holes in it because everyone knew it would have a camera. Until, of course, it didn't.