14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has reportedly tasked a Taiwan supplier called Largan Precision to provide the camera lens for the second-generation iPad. Apple is yet to confirm the existence of its new tablet computer, as is Largan Precision to discuss the rumored deal between it and the Cupertino giant.
Digtimes posts one of its routine reports suggesting the paper has learned of a recently signed deal between Largan Precision and Apple, the former declining to comment on said rumors.
According to the publication, “Largan Precision has declined to comment on market rumors indicating the company will be the sole lens module supplier for Apple's upcoming iPad 2 tablet with shipments to kick off in the first quarter of 2011.”
The information reportedly stems from a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE).
Largan is also known to be supplying the lens modules for the iPhone 4 - “Largan reportedly also supplies 5-megapixel lens modules for iPhone 4,” the report adds - which indicates that Apple wasn’t faced with having to make any tough decisions regarding the supplier of its next iPad’s camera modules.
Finally, Digitimes mentions that Largan's share price closed at NT$653 (US$21.46) on the Taiwan Stock Market (TSE) Monday (November 29) - a significant boost from NT$618 on Friday, when this bit of information was not yet available.
Apple is widely believed to be already testing iPad 2 prototype units, with a scheduled release of the final product pinned for Q1 2011.
The device is expected to employ not one, but two cameras (one on the front, one on the back, just like its smaller siblings - the iPhone and iPod touch) for FaceTime Support.
FaceTime is a new video chatting standard from Apple introduced with iOS 4.0 this summer. Using the feature, iPhone and iPod touch owners can carry out video conversations via WiFi (which means no operator fees apply), either by calling each other by phone number of email address.