Facetime

More rumors out of the supply chain today suggest that iPad 2 might indeed have a camera -- front and back, actually -- and once again a better resolution display is being mentioned as well. Kelvin Soh and Argin Chang, reporting for Reuters, spoke to four people "familiar with the situation":

Two could only confirm they were ramping up for a new round of production in the first quarter for components previously supplied for the original iPad, while two said the ramp-up was for a new iPad.

One of those said the revamped model would feature cameras on the front and rear, while the other said the new model would be slimmer, lighter and have a better resolution display.

Digitimes are running an interesting iPad 2 rumor, this time claiming that Apple has another camera component manufacturer in place for the next iteration of the iPad. A few weeks ago we heard that PC Board manufacturers had been appointed. Now Digitimes claim rumors point to Largan Precision being the sole supplier for the camera lens. Largan Precision currently supplies a  lens for the iPhone 4.

According to a report by Digitimes, three manufacturers have been appointed to provide components for the next generation iPad 2. Ibiden, Tripod Technology and TTM Technologies will manufacture and supply PCB boards for the new iPad. Additional suppliers will be added to the list in February 2011, when production of iPad 2 increases.

The sources said Ibiden, Tripod and TTM have received certification from Apple, and will start shipping any-layer HDI boards for iPad 2 in small quantities in December.

If Apple keeps to its yearly product update cycles, as is usual, then we can expect to see a new iPad announced in early 2011 and shipping by April.

Barron's is reporting that OmniVision will supply the CMOS sensors for two cameras in the next generation iPad 2 -- a 5MP camera on the back and a VGA quality camera on the front.

OmniVision (OVTI) will supply CMOS image sensors for a second-generation Apple (AAPL) iPad that will launch in the calendar first quarter of 2011

A second generation iPad 2 would most likely be introduced early 2011, perhaps in April like the original. WIth cameras would come FaceTime support. Now that Apple has opened up FaceTime to the iPod touch and Mac, we could be looking at a huge surge related to mobile video calling.