Apple's Next iPad: Cameras, Slimmer, Lighter, Sharper?

Apple will add front- and back-mounted cameras to the next generation of its iPad, and component suppliers are already under pressure to make sure iPad production is ready, willing and able to support lighter, slimmer, sharper, camera-laden versions of the popular tablet computer.

That's according to a report on iPad production from Reuters, which on Friday cited "people familiar with the situation" as saying that suppliers were gearing up for a new round of iPads in the first quarter of 2011.

According to Reuters, two out of four of the sources it interviewed would only confirm more production for the existing iPad, but the other two said that the production cycle was for a new iPad, with one saying the next iPad would have two cameras, one on the front and one on the rear. One of the latter two sources reportedly told Reuters that the next iPad would be slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, with higher resolution display.

The four sources told Reuters that Wintek, Simplo Technology, AVY Precision, Genius Electronic Optical and Largan Precision are among the component suppliers in various stages of iPad production deals with Apple.

Rumors of the next iPad have been floating for several weeks. <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/first-ipad-2g-case-shows-rear-camera-new-curves/" href="http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/first-ipad-2g-case-shows-rear-camera-new-curves/" target="_blank'>The blog iLounge earlier this week reported on images said to be from two case manufacturers, Shenzhen MacTap Electronics and Kowdowsarian, both of which suggested room for cameras and SD card slots on the next iPad.

The original iPad was unveiled on January 27, 2010, and as Reuters notes, a new iPad in 2011 would be in line with Apple's tradition of tweaking and updating its flagship products on an annual basis.

The iPad has seen blockbuster sales throughout the year -- including some 3 million sold in its first 80 days -- but Apple is expected to face new iPad competition in 2011 from a host of tablet rivals, including the already-released Samsung Galaxy Tab and Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook.