DigiTimes reports that Taiwanese camera lens manufacturer Largan Precision will supply lenses for Apple’s forthcoming iPad 2, widely expected to support at least a front-facing camera for use with applications like FaceTime.
With FaceTime available on every iPhone 4 and new iPod Touch, as well as on the Mac, there is little doubt a front-facing camera will be included on the second-generation iPad.
Largan Precision declined to comment when asked about market rumors that pegs them as the sole supplier of lenses for the iPad 2 update, most likely to be released in the first quarter of 2011. These rumors stem from a recent filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
DigiTimes also suggests that Largan Precision currently supplies the lens modules currently found on the iPhone 4.
It is still unclear if Apple will add a rear-facing camera to the new iPad model, though some believe they will after competing devices showcase just that. Apple has enjoyed sole ownership of the touch-screen tablet market until recently. Now that iPad competitors are showing up, Apple has much more incentive to innovate on their wildly successful device.
Should Apple include front- and rear-facing cameras in the iPad 2? Let me know in the comments!