iPad 4 may have front-facing Facetime camera, new connector

Leaked photos hint at a new connector for the next version of Apple Inc.'s popular iPad tablet, a tech site reported late Monday.

 

Boy Genius Reports posted photos of what it said is the next iPad's Lightning dock connector, which is different from the current iPad's mini dock.

 

"This most likely signals that the fourth-generation iPad will also feature a redesigned interior to accommodate different components. We were also told that this is not simply the refreshed lightning dock connector for the third generation iPad," it said.

 

Apple is expected to unveil the iPad mini, a smaller and cheaper version of the iPad, at an event on October 23.

 

Meanwhile, a separate article on CNET said Apple is also rumored to be unveiling a refreshed 9.7-inch Retina iPad on Tuesday.

 

It cited a 9to5mac.com report indicating the new iPad may get a Lightning connector like the iPhone 5 and retain its current pricing.

 

"The updated 9.7-inch Retina iPad could address issues with the first-generation Retina product," CNET added.

 

Front-facing Facetime camera?

 

On the other hand, another post on BGR hinted at a new iPad display assembly that may feature a front-facing FaceTime HD camera.

 

"The most noticeable changes we can see are the fact that the front-facing camera cutout is larger than the previous model, allowing Apple to include a bigger sensor. We’d bet that Apple will continue the 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera from the iPhone 5 and iPod touch here," it said ().

 

It added another change that may be most welcome is that the display will be optically bonded, reducing glare and improving the picture.

 

But it said it is still not clear for now if these new features will come with the refreshed third-generation model or the all-new iPad. — TJD, GMA News