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Possible proof surfaces that iPad supports a camera

A shipment of iPad parts leads to the discovery that the first version of the iPad could support a front-facing iSight camera.

David Martin
David Martin has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as a programmer, systems and business analyst, author, and consultant.
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David Martin

Clues are being discovered in hardware and software that are leading to more speculation that the iPad can support a front-facing iSight camera.

According to Mission:Repair's blog, the site received a shipment of parts used to repair the iPad. Inside that shipment, they found a metal internal iPad frame with what appeared to be a "spot" for a camera.

iPad
The Apple iPad may have built-in camera capacity. Apple

Mission:Repair's curiosity led it to grab a Unibody Macbook, disassemble it, and pull the iSight camera--a standard unit--from its frame.

The site staff discovered that the camera fit perfectly inside the hole within the iPad frame. The lens, LED indicating the camera is on, and the ambient light sensor all filled the proper holes.

We've already seen proof that there is software support for a camera on the iPad--now it seems possible that there is hardware support, too.

So why hasn't Apple included a camera in the first version of the iPad? Is it a battery life issue? Could it have something to do with the iPad running on AT&T's 3G network, which has already been hard hit by iPhone users? Let us know what you think in the comments.