New iPad patents hint at front-facing camera, horizontal docking
No camera on the back, though
Patently Apple has managed to uncover a series of patents relating to design upgrades for the iPad.
Unlike most of the site's discoveries, though, these come from the Chinese Patent Office and have very few details about what the drawings represent.
The most exciting image of the set appears to show the addition of a front-facing camera in the top-centre of the device, possibly paving the way for FaceTime capabilities for the iPad 2.
Alas, those who want to carry the iPad around in a camera bag and take pictures of sunsets or tourists will be disappointed to note that there is no rear camera.
A slightly less attractive addition to the device is what looks to be a new port located on the side of the machine. Don’t get too excited though, the shape and design suggests that it’s in fact another docking port, rather than USB, possibly for allowing landscape docking (and therefore a more standard angle for viewing the screen when using a keyboard.)
No doubt the iPad 2 rumour train will continue rattling along the tracks until its inevitable release next year, so we’ll keep our eyes out for any more titbits over the next few months.
