OmniVision to Provide Front and Rear Cameras for Second-Generation iPad?
Barron's reports on a new research note from research firm Detweiler Fenton claiming that OmniVision Technologies has won the contract to supply image sensors for both a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera and front-facing VGA camera for the second-generation iPad. The report claims that the revamped iPad will debut in the first quarter of 2011, likely relatively late in the quarter.
The research firm contends the new iPad will ship with two cameras, a 5 MP camera and a VGA camera, and likely will support Apple's FaceTime video chat software. Detweiler says their early read is that Apple will build 2.5 million units of the next iPad in calendar Q1, providing an incremental 5 million units of demand from Apple for OVTI, which also supplies sensors for the iPhone.
A front-facing camera for the next-generation iPad has been a solid assumption considering the proliferation of Apple's FaceTime video chatting capabilities, but a rear-facing camera has been less of a sure bet.Rumors dating back a number of months have also pointed to the possibility of a 7-inch iPad to join the existing 9.7-inch form factor, but Apple CEO Steve Jobs' recent criticism of tablets in the smaller size coming from competitors strongly suggests that the company is not pursuing such a release.
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We got our first gen iPad for free (contest ala shopping.com via facebook) but I doubt we will buy the 2nd gen just because we all have iPhones now as well.
Still, I'm pretty happy with my current gen 3G iPad, so if these are some of the only major new features, I probably won't upgrade this year.
Now, if you had a 7 inch or 5 inch ipad, having a rear image sensor does make sense. But not on an iPad 9.7 inch.
I personally think OmniVision will be producing the image sensors for the 7 inch ipad and not the 9.7 inch.
:-)
I'm still not sure what use a rear facing camera on an iPad would be.
Same as the iPhone: to take pictures (that you are not in) with a preview of the shot on the screen available before you take the picture. And Nausicaa brings up a good use above.
It won't be anyone's primary camera, but it will be nice to have it available. It's not like it takes up that much space (like the optical drive in a MacBook Pro, something that I don't want to see go away but I understand why others would)
Can someone tell me why you need a rear image sensor on an ipad? I can understand about having one in the front. But does it really make sense to have one in the rear especially when the iPad is 9.7 inches.
Now, if you had a 7 inch or 5 inch ipad, having a rear image sensor does make sense. But not on an iPad 9.7 inch.
I personally think OmniVision will be producing the image sensors for tie 7 inch ipad and not the 9.7 inch.
:-)
Video chat: when you want to show peeps something.
Still, I'm pretty happy with my current gen 3G iPad, so if these are some of the only major new features, I probably won't upgrade this year.
I'd imagine more RAM is pretty much a given. Throw in a faster A4 processor and that'd make an upgrade pretty compelling for me.
The only way I'd upgrade if two of these is in it
1. Camera(s)
2. MiniDisplayPort out - so you can use DP, DVI, HDMI, VGA...
3. 4X screen resolution
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