iPad SDK references front-facing camera, video conferencing
updated 11:40 pm EST, Tue February 23, 2010
Controls spotted for zoom, flash
Following the iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 3 release earlier on Tuesday, developers have already spotted code that references several camera features. Apple has yet to confirm any camera equipment on the iPad, however its SDK allegedly tests for three different camera characteristics that have not been found in the iPhone version of the developers kit.
Spotted APIs include tests for a front-facing camera, zoom, and camera flash, according to MacRumors. The new code has fueled speculation that the iPad will integrate cameras, potentially in an updated version or a higher-end model.
While the zoom and flash APIs point to the possibility of a camera on the iPad housing, the front-facing code suggests the device might integrate a second camera underneath the glass panel. Delving into the SDK also uncovered several large buttons that appear to accept or decline a video conferencing request.
A repair company recently showed an iPad frame which appeared to include a cutout for the same camera module used in many MacBooks. Further evidence arrived shortly thereafter, as an Apple job listing sought a QA engineer to test still and video camera capture in the iPad Media division. Video chat APIs were already spotted in the earlier iPhone 3.2 SDK beta, although the size of the icons in the recent find suggests the feature is geared for the iPad.
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2004
Camera obvious...
A front-facing camera is such an obvious component of what an iPad needs to be we can assume that a camera will exist. I would hope v1, but certainly v2.