Rumor: iPad 2 screen protector shows portrait, front-facing camera

Are there any iOS fans left who don’t believe that the next iPad will have a front-facing camera? Well, here’s more fuel to add to that fire: According to 9to5Mac, a new crop of iPad 2 screen protectors are coming equipped with — you guessed it — a camera hole on the front.

The pic suggests that it will be a portrait-oriented camera (with the hole at the top) instead of the landscape instead of on the side), despite previous gossip to the contrary. The positioning is more like the camera that’s on the iPod Touch 4 (top, center) than the iPhone 4 (top, left of center). Makes sense, since the iPad won’t need to house a built-in earspeaker for phone calls there.

Of course, someone could’ve just taken an old iPad 1 screen shield and pricked a little hole there. Then again, the iPad 2 camera rumor has been so strong that it’s also quite possible that this is the genuine article. And if it is, then here’s another noteworthy aspect: Do you notice that the bottom button is still there? So much for that rumor about the demise of the home button.

Another source sent in a pic that suggests the iPad 2 might be slightly taller and narrower than the iPad 1. According to the Software Developers Kit, the next iPad’s display size will be the same 1024 x 768 size we know and love. What then? A smaller screen bezel? A smart bezel? Well, we do know that Apple has a new bezel patent — but considering we’re on the brink of seeing next-gen tablet, it’s kind of late for that, no?

I won’t lie — I’m both thrilled and kind of annoyed about it. I already own an iPad (it’s my must-have gadget, even more so than my iPhone), but since I badly want a camera feature on my tablet, it looks like I’ll have to crack open my piggy bank yet again. And when I do, I may have a whole new set of accessories and cases to invest in for it.

Any current iPadsters furiously crunching numbers right now, trying to figure out how to justify another Apple tablet and related gear? Let me know in the comments — we can form a support group or something.

Via: 9to5Mac, TechnoBuffalo