Apple’s iPad 2 Boasts USB, FaceTime, Retina Display, Sources Claim

Citing a report from Chinese news portal Economy Daily News, Digitimes weighs in on Apple’s alleged plans to introduce a revamped tablet computer early next year, featuring 5 key additions: video calling (FaceTime), a lighter body (rumored to be of carbon fiber), USB ports (a first for Apple), a better display, and a 3-axis gyroscope.

Likely based on what Taiwan suppliers are leaking in terms of hardware information, Digitimes reports that “a Chinese-language Economy Daily News (EDN) report citing industry sources claims Apple will add five new features to the iPad 2: video phone, better mobility, USB port, new display technology and 3-axis gyroscopes.”

The report continues to describe the “video-phone feature”, which will undoubtedly be FaceTime, the video-chatting  standard introduced by Apple earlier this year.

The feature is expected to benefit Apple iPad's webcam suppliers, the report notes, adding that “iPad 2 may adopt smaller size panels featuring thinner glass.”

Apple has shown no interest in offering USB support with its iPods, iPhones, and, finally, the iPad, but the company might have had a change of heart lately, as the Chinese paper claims iPad 2 will feature such connectivity which, in turn, will open the doors to easier file management.

The second-generation iPad is also on track to receive a Retina Display, said the sources, which will enhance image and color output performance.

Finally, the 3-axis gyroscopes will likely pave the way for third party iPad-specific games and applications.

Games will be specifically targeted at the feature, as the gyro will add to the existing accelerometer, effectively providing six-axis input (as found on the PlayStation 3 controller).

In an Oct. 6 research note, Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White informed that Apple was developing a smaller version of its tablet computer, estimating that the company could ship as many as 45 million iPads in 2011.

White did not identify his Asia-based contact, but did say that this person’s employer supplied components for manufacturing iPads. White said the source predicted Apple would launch the tablet in the first quarter of 2011 as a smaller device boasting “a screen that measures about seven inches,” according to a Forbes report citing the analyst.

Many analysts chimed in at the time with similar predictions.

Apple, however, has confirmed that it has no plans of developing a tablet boasting a 7-inch screen.